Fishing Boat Reels in U.S. Military Drone Off Florida Coast

In an unexpected catch, a fishing boat recently brought in a U.S. military drone from the Gulf waters off Florida. The incident occurred when Daniel Arsenault, a 36-year-old charter captain, was fishing with a group that included military helicopter pilots. Arsenault spotted an object that looked like an upside-down boat. To his surprise, it turned out to be a drone.

“We were going over there to check it out, and it was a drone,” he stated. Arsenault added the drone to a catch that included mahi-mahi, snapper, and grouper. The active-duty military personnel onboard identified the drone as a target drone. “That’s why I kind of felt confident in picking it up,” he explained.

After taking photos at the dock, the drone was handed over to the local sheriff’s department, which then transferred it to the government. Photos from Hot Spots Charters’ Facebook page show the large gray drone beside a catch of fish with the caption, “Great 6 hour today with this crew! If anyone is looking for their drone please call Hot Spots!”

A spokesperson from Eglin Air Force Base confirmed that a LUCAS drone, an acronym for Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, impacted the water during routine testing on September 17. The spokesperson mentioned that the drone has been recovered and returned to the Department of Defense.

The base conducts regular exercises in the Gulf and is currently involved in a munitions test. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) had launched operations using LUCAS drones to retaliate against Iranian attacks and similar drone strikes by Russia during engagements in the Middle East and Ukraine.

This catch is not the first unusual find in Florida waters. In 2023, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and her family caught 70 pounds of cocaine worth over $1 million while on a fishing trip in the Keys.