In an unusual turn of events, a fishing expedition in the Gulf waters off Florida resulted in the capture of a U.S. military drone. Daniel Arsenault, a 36-year-old charter captain, was fishing with active-duty military helicopter pilots when he noticed what appeared to be an upside-down boat. Upon closer inspection, it was identified as a target drone. Arsenault expressed confidence in retrieving the drone due to the presence of the military personnel aboard.
The fishing trip also included the capture of mahi-mahi near the aircraft. After returning to the dock, Arsenault photographed the drone alongside the day’s catch before handing it over to the sheriff’s department, which later transferred custody to the government. The incident was captured in a photo posted on the Hot Spots Charters Facebook page with a light-hearted caption inviting anyone missing a drone to contact them.
A spokesperson from Eglin Air Force Base informed AFP that the drone, a LUCAS model — Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System — had ended up in the water during a routine test on September 17. The drone has since been recovered and returned to the Department of Defense.
The base frequently conducts exercises in the Gulf waters and has been testing munitions. The LUCAS drones made headlines when U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a new regional task force armed with these drones in late 2025. The drones were used in combat for the first time during Operation Epic Fury against Iran in February, with CENTCOM highlighting the use of one-way attack drones modeled after Iran’s Shahed drones, known for their deployment by Iranian forces against U.S. troops and by Russia in Ukraine.
It’s not the first time Florida’s coastal waters have revealed surprising catches. During a fishing trip in the Florida Keys in 2023, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s family discovered 70 pounds of cocaine valued at over $1 million.