A recent fishing trip in the Gulf waters off Florida turned surprising when a U.S. military drone was part of the catch. Daniel Arsenault, a 36-year-old charter captain, discovered the drone while fishing. Initially, he thought the drone was an upside-down boat. Arsenault, accompanied by military helicopter pilots, identified it as a target drone. Confidence came from having active-duty military personnel with him.
Alongside a haul of mahi-mahi, Arsenault brought the drone back to the dock. They snapped photos of the drone, alongside the day’s catch. Eventually, the sheriff’s department took possession, then the government reclaimed it.
“Great 6 hour today with this crew! If anyone is looking for their drone please call Hot Spots!”
The fishing company’s Facebook page featured the drone and catch photo with this caption. Eglin Air Force Base informed that a LUCAS drone, acronym for Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, “impacted the water during routine scheduled testing” on September 17. A base spokesperson confirmed the drone’s recovery by the Defense Department. Exercises and munitions tests occur frequently in the Gulf waters.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) highlighted these drones were first deployed in combat earlier in 2025 during Operation Epic Fury against Iran. These one-way attack drones mimic Iran’s Shahed drones, used by Iranian forces against U.S. troops and by Russia in Ukraine.
This isn’t the first unusual catch offshore Florida. In 2023, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s family fishing trip netted 70 pounds of cocaine, valued over $1 million.
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