Best fishing apps for recreational anglers
Explore the top fishing apps tailored for recreational anglers, designed to enhance the fishing experience with tools for finding spots, tracking catches, and understanding weather conditions. Perfect for those who fish for leisure and pleasure.
Fishbrain
Fishbrain is a popular app among anglers, offering a social platform to connect with fellow fishing enthusiasts. The app provides detailed fishing maps, forecasts, and insights into where the fish are biting. Users can log their catches, learn from others, and make the most of their fishing trips with real-time updates.
Best for: Those who enjoy social interaction along with fishing
Pros:
- Large community
- Detailed maps
- Catch logging
Cons:
- Some features require payment
Pro Angler
Pro Angler offers weekly saltwater fishing reports, tips, and techniques from professional captains. Anglers can find information on species identification and tides, making it a great companion for coastal fishing adventures.
Best for: Saltwater anglers wanting expert advice
Pros:
- Professional advice
- Species tips
- Tide data
Cons:
- In-app purchases can add up
FishAngler
FishAngler provides a robust platform for documenting catches with photos and detailed logs, along with weather and fishing forecasts. It connects a community of over a million anglers worldwide, facilitating the exchange of tips and fishing spots.
Best for: Community-oriented anglers
Pros:
- Community-oriented
- Free features
- Weather forecasts
Cons:
- Some ads
Navionics Boating Marine & Lakes
Navionics is a comprehensive navigation app that offers detailed marine and lake charts for fishermen. It includes sonar charts, community edits, and daily updates to help plan fishing trips more effectively. The app is particularly useful for anglers venturing into unknown waters.
Best for: Anglers exploring new waters
Pros:
- Detailed charts
- Daily updates
- Community edits
Cons:
- Requires subscription
WeatherBug
WeatherBug is a comprehensive weather app that provides real-time forecasts, alerts, and conditions ideal for recreational anglers who need to understand weather patterns and changes while planning their fishing trips.
Best for: Anglers who need up-to-date weather information
Pros:
- Accurate forecasts
- Alerts
- Customization options
Cons:
- Can include ads unless premium
Fishing Knots
A practical app for learning new knots suitable for various fishing techniques. It provides step-by-step instructions with accompanying images, which makes it easy for recreational anglers to expand their skills set with new knots.
Best for: Anglers wanting to learn new knots
Pros:
- Easy to follow
- Wide variety of knots
Cons:
- Lacks interactive features
Fishing Points
Fishing Points is an app that helps anglers find new fishing spots and manage their fishing trips with advanced maps and forecasts. It supports offline functionality, GPS locations, and waypoints, making it ideal for remote fishing adventures.
Best for: Fishers venturing to remote spots
Pros:
- Offline maps
- GPS enabled
- Weather forecasts
Cons:
- Limited free features
Deeper Smart Sonar
Deeper Smart Sonar connects to a portable sonar device, offering depth maps and underwater visibility. This app is perfect for anglers looking to get detailed insights into underwater structures and fish habits, helping them choose the best fishing spots.
Best for: Technology-savvy anglers
Pros:
- High-tech sonar capabilities
- Detailed insights
Cons:
- Requires purchase of sonar device
iAngler
iAngler is designed to enhance the fishing experience by helping anglers log catches in real-time, participate in tournaments, and contribute to conservation data. The app allows users to track personal fishing stats and compare them with others, fostering a sense of community among anglers.
Best for: Anglers interested in contributing to science and stats tracking
Pros:
- Contributes to conservation
- Tournament participation
Cons:
- Interface can be complex
FishTrack
FishTrack provides advanced sea surface temperature charts and marine forecasts, key for ocean anglers looking to locate fish. The app enables offshore mapping through satellite imaging, ideal for those pursuing big game species.
Best for: Offshore and deep-sea anglers
Pros:
- Advanced sea charting
- Marine forecasts
Cons:
- Pricey premium features
Angler's Log
Angler's Log is a simple catch log app designed for recreational anglers. It allows users to record their fishing trips with photos, species caught, and locations. The app's simplicity and user-friendliness make it a favored choice among casual fishers.
Best for: Casual anglers looking for simplicity
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Simple navigation
- Efficient logging
Cons:
- Limited advanced features
Comparison Overview
| App | Rating | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishbrain | 4.7 ★ | Free with in-app purchases | Fishbrain is a popular app among anglers, offering a social platform to connect with fellow fishing enthusiasts. |
| Pro Angler | 4.7 ★ | Free with in-app purchases | Pro Angler offers weekly saltwater fishing reports, tips, and techniques from professional captains. |
| FishAngler | 4.6 ★ | Free | FishAngler provides a robust platform for documenting catches with photos and detailed logs, along with weather and fishing forecasts. |
| Navionics Boating Marine & Lakes | 4.5 ★ | Paid subscription | Navionics is a comprehensive navigation app that offers detailed marine and lake charts for fishermen. |
| WeatherBug | 4.5 ★ | Free with ads, paid premium version | WeatherBug is a comprehensive weather app that provides real-time forecasts, alerts, and conditions ideal for recreational anglers who need to understand weather patterns and changes while planning their fishing trips. |
| Fishing Knots | 4.5 ★ | Free | A practical app for learning new knots suitable for various fishing techniques. |
| Fishing Points | 4.4 ★ | Free with in-app purchases | Fishing Points is an app that helps anglers find new fishing spots and manage their fishing trips with advanced maps and forecasts. |
| Deeper Smart Sonar | 4.4 ★ | Free, but requires hardware purchase | Deeper Smart Sonar connects to a portable sonar device, offering depth maps and underwater visibility. |
| iAngler | 4.3 ★ | Free | iAngler is designed to enhance the fishing experience by helping anglers log catches in real-time, participate in tournaments, and contribute to conservation data. |
| FishTrack | 4.3 ★ | Free with in-app purchases | FishTrack provides advanced sea surface temperature charts and marine forecasts, key for ocean anglers looking to locate fish. |
| Angler's Log | 4.2 ★ | Free | Angler's Log is a simple catch log app designed for recreational anglers. |
Quick Tips
- Check the app's community features to connect with other anglers.
- Make use of weather and forecast tools for better planning.
- Explore apps with offline capabilities for remote fishing.
- Look for features that offer species identification and water conditions.
- Utilize logging tools to track and improve your fishing tactics.