A quiet revolution is taking place in the world of sports fishing. There’s something so primal about angling. It’s one of the reasons the sport has so many devoted enthusiasts who, each week, set up a pitch on the riverbank or head out on a boat in search of their prize. But what was traditionally an activity steeped in intuition and patience is increasingly one that’s being influenced by modern technology, including artificial intelligence. Unsurprisingly, AI is having a growing impact on both hardware and software, each leveraging its capabilities to enhance aspects such as boat safety, the use of baits and lures, species identification, and location finding.
Take, for example, FishBrain. It now has over 15 million users. It’s a multi-tool app giving anglers access to detailed fishing maps, weather forecasts, and insights such as water depth and species population. It can be personalised to each user and refined depending on the approach (saltwater versus freshwater, for instance). However, one of its key features is its AI-driven fish forecasts, which bring together historical data to let anglers know when and where to cast their rods. It gives users the optimal time and place to catch their targeted species.
Apps like FishBrain are being used alongside the likes of Fish Angler and Fish Buddy. These apps have been developed with AI built in to predict feeding windows, while helping fishing enthusiasts improve their technique and even find the nearest tackle shop. Meanwhile, FishVerify, another app leveraging artificial intelligence, gives users the opportunity to identify unknown species from a smartphone photo.
Elsewhere, hardware is also witnessing an AI evolution. Lures have now been developed using EBS technology to effectively mimic the movements of baitfish. Developers like Furono have also sought to use AI to improve safety on the water. They have released a digital copilot that, when installed on a boat’s navigation system, scans the water to identify hazards. It can, for instance, divert the boat away from a collision with unseen underwater rocks or another boat.
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Rise in Fishing Tech Coincides with the Sport’s Growing Popularity
The thirst for fishing is on the rise. It’s a multimillion-pound industry today. In fact, fishing rod sales alone are on their way to surpassing £1 billion by 2030. From TV shows like Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing to popular slots like Fishing Frenzy, with its angling-themed symbols displayed on its underwater reels, enthusiasm for the sport is infiltrating everything from the small screen to the online casino. It’s even having an impact on everyday wear through the fashion trend known as anglercore.
Understandably, this is seeing more people having a go at fishing for the first time. Thankfully, there’s an app for that, too. Fish AI has developed a coaching programme offering personalised advice. Users tailor the app to their individual requirements by answering a set of questions on initial setup. Strategy and tips are then personalised and updated as catches are logged and ranked. Apps like Fish AI, FishBrain and FishVerify are not only giving seasoned anglers valuable insights and helping them improve, they’re enabling newcomers to have a go with little or no experience.
Expect More from Tech in Fishing
Technology is moving at such a pace that anglers can expect to see more innovations appearing in their tackle boxes. Sonar-optimised baitfish and autonomous boats are already appearing, while the increasing use of AI will continue to enhance and expand fishing apps. While the real joy of the sport remains its connection to nature, modern tech is helping everyone, from beginners to experienced veterans, discover their full potential on the water.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
