You’ve got a phone and you’ve got a fishing rod. So why not use both to the best of their abilities?!
There are a million and one apps out there, plenty of which are geared towards fishing – and just about all of them claim to be the best fishing app for anglers. But these apps take time and effort to learn how to use, and the best ones usually aren’t free. How are you supposed to know which fishing apps will be the ones that actually help you catch more fish?
That’s where I come in. I’ve tried out countless different options and, while many of them offer real value, these five are my top picks (listed in alphabetical order).
1. ANGLR
Get ready to turn bytes into bites, no matter where or how you fish with the ANGLR app. This is a logging app that keeps track of variables like location, weather, tide, and more. Log your catches along with the lures or baits you make them on! ANGLR uses USGS and NOAA contour mapping, and can even sync with marine electronics to track depth and water temperature.
After reeling in some fish, their patterns become easy to identify. And after using the app for a few hours while fishing for Pickerel on a local lake, we quickly figured out where to set up the boat for the most productive drift.
The app itself is free, but the Bluetooth devices that go along with it are not. I think it’s well worth the cost to test the “Bullseye” button that instantly records catches without having to pick up your phone!
2. Fishbrain
One of the most popular fishing apps around is Fishbrain, which boasts 20 million logged catches. There’s a basic free version but the pro version is where it’s at for anglers. However, you can try out the 7-day free trial.
It has catch-logging abilities, guides to local regulations, and can make bait and lure recommendations based on its database of catches. It also boasts predictive “bite-time” software telling you the most likely bite window. Since there’s a huge community utilizing Fishbrain, there’s gobs of valuable user-generated data, including catch locations, which can be displayed on Garmin HD bathymetry maps. But don’t worry if you like to keep your honey holes to yourself, you can choose to keep yours confidential!
There’s also a cool fish identifier function that tells you what an unidentified species is when you take a photograph.
3. Fishidy
Fishidy has strong social media-like angling features, allowing you to sign up and follow anglers, check their fishing reports, and connect with like-minded fishermen. It also boasts logging and mapping abilities, and includes fishing hotspots maps.
Crowd-sourced data ID’s likely hotspots and a forecaster function predicts which species of fish will be most active and when. You can sign up and download the app for free. But, as usual, the really cool stuff unlocks when you upgrade to the paid premium version.
4. MyCatch by Angler’s Atlas
This free logging app lets you keep track of catches and has a nifty personal catch stats function showing your catches per hour, a breakdown of catches by species, and more. It’s also an event platform for catch-photo-release tournaments.
More importantly, MyCatch was developed by Angler’s Atlas, which shares catch data with researchers, conservation groups, and government agencies. It requires a little more manual entry than some of these other logging apps, but as you log, you create citizen science, helping scientists and managers learn about fish populations, lake health, and more.
5. Navionics
While Navionics is technically a navigational app, it’s chock-full of data that’s utterly critical to anglers. It’s no wonder that countless fishermen rely on it! Owned by marine electronics industry giant Garmin, it has incredibly detailed HD bathymetric mapping (down to 1 foot of detail), which is constantly updated. There’s also a crowd-sourced data layer and the “ActiveCaptain” community with user-generated recommendations and advice.
You can also share locations, tracks, and routes with other anglers using the app. Most critical for fishing, the high-res relief shading makes it easy to pick out underwater structure, while sonar imagery overlays highlight bottom composition.
Bonus App: SpotOn Fishing
SpotOn Fishing is a very recent release. While I’ve only been testing it for a few weeks, my early experience leads me to believe that it’s spot on.
It has amazingly detailed bathymetry (which you need the paid version to enjoy), NOAA structure mapping, and the ability to overlay all sorts of fishing hotspots like oyster bars and grassbeds. You can also overlay live weather radar and – critically for offshore anglers – sea surface temperature maps.
Aerial maps are part of the package, too, and the resolution is about as good as it gets. We were able to zoom in on some areas where we know there’s submerged riprap on the bottom in several feet of water, and it was visible on-screen!
The Best Fishing Apps: Helping You Get Your Fish On!
You’re already carrying that phone in your pocket every time you hit the water… Why not turn it into a fish-catching tool? All of these apps will help make it happen. Take one – or all – of them for a spin, and that rod will be bending more than ever! To get you started, why not download the FishingBooker app and book a trip? Tight lines!
Which fishing apps do you use? Which features stand out most for you? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
The post The 5 Best Fishing Apps for Anglers: An Expert’s Inside Guide for 2025 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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