I’m not sure this is legal everywhere, so check your local fish and game laws before you give it a try. But apparently, it was legal in California in 1960, as shown by the experience of George Boling, W6NOD.  He rigged up this radio controlled boat to pull in the big fish.  The motor and rudder are initially locked, and the remote control, running two watts, allowed him to control the rudder.  The boat trolls, and when a fish bites, the tension slowly winds in the reel, and the motor speed increases slightly.  When the fish is hooked, he steered the boat to shore.

The picture and description appeared in the July 1960 issue of Electronics Illustrated.