There’s an old joke that the only guaranteed thing you’ll catch on a winter fishing trip is a cold.
But longtime anglers might disagree – if you plan right and bundle up, you’ll be able to spend the day enjoying the solitude of your favorite lake and maybe go home with some tasty treats. The sunbathers and boaters are gone, and now it’s just you, a few other hearty souls, and some hungry fish that you’re absolutely certain are going to love your bait.
The modern fisherman or fisherwoman has access to technology and gadgets that you can look at as either taking the fun out of the experience or as taking frustrations out of it. You decide.
Your mobile device can be a handy tool, whether you’re shivering on the dock, sitting on the ice or heading out in a boat. Remember to fully charge it before you set out, or consider picking up a solar-powered charger that requires no electricity. This would be a great addition to your Christmas wish list.
These apps enhance your angling experience.
Fishing Buddy from Joolasoft.com. The full version is $2.95 and offers GPS coordinates and weather conditions. Its biggest strength is that it records details about anything you reel in, including type of fish, size and description and the gear you used to land it. It can store photos you take with your phone or smart device. There’s also a free Fishing Buddy Lite program with similar features. Available only on Google Android.
Canada Weather from Fish & Whistle. This free app is a must for those who want to battle the fish while battling the elements. It connects to Environment Canada and offers the current conditions and forecast in English or French for every city and province. You also can pick your favorites spots for easy reference. Available only on Google Android.
Fugawi iMap from Fugawi Software. Molly Cunningham, a guest blogger at Get Hook’d.net suggests this $4.99 app as a smart way to keep track of yourself while exploring North America. The app will provide topographic maps that show you excellent remote waterways. Available only for iPhone.
Navionics. Navionics Mobile works as electronic navigation for boats and includes user-shared updates on weather conditions. It offers a mapping service of waterways that is regularly updated, including the ability to help you scout fishing holes. Take a course that covers licensing for boating in Ontario and other provinces, though, and don’t rely solely on any piece of technology. Available for Android and iPhone.
InFisherman: In-Fisherman magazine has a free app for Apple users. When you install it, you get access to current and past issues of the magazine, which is full of useful tips and strategy for your cold-weather adventure. Along with safety info, the app provides details about the seasonality of fish. The related site offers a place to share your successful fish tales, look at photos and swap tips about different bait and safety info. Available only in iPhone.
Authored By: Al Perkins – Al hunts and hikes when he is not writing about eco-friendly tips.
