I was recently approached by Fishidy to see if I’d be willing to post a guest post about their service. Heck, I’m pretty liberal around here, especially if it’s about something that I think others might find helpful or useful. So I’ll take a backseat today and give up the floor for this guest post. Take a peek; if you’re into fishing logs, maps, and social networks, I think it may grab your interest.
The New Age of Fishing:
Online Maps, Social Communities & Fishidy
Many see fishing as an avenue to escape the stresses of everyday life. Fishing gives us a chance to get away from the office, disconnect from the laptop and cell phone, and enjoy the simplicity of throwing a perfect loop to watch it unfold just beyond an eagerly awaiting trout. While I’m in no way disagreeing with the puritan mentality and the comfort offered, it doesn’t hurt to take a look at emerging technology within the fishing industry and see what it can do to provide for a more successful day on the water.
All of us have traveled to new destinations with the hope of discovering a bountiful stretch of water. Sometimes we get lucky, and our trip is a success! Other times we get skunked and often wonder what went wrong. What if we could change the odds a bit in our favor, and really utilize online fishing maps?
One of my favorite new tools is Fishidy. This online platform brings together elements of online fishing maps, catch management, and mobile technology all driven by an online community of passionate anglers. As a free Fishidy member, you have access to over 8,000 waterways across the U.S., including lakes, reservoirs, saltwater and rivers. Fishidy’s maps include detailed contour lines, boat ramp access points, live radar, and moon phases in addition to species information, shoreline features and fishing tips. As a premium Fishidy member, the advantage is even greater. Premium members unlock a featured mapping layer that shows fishing hot spots designated by local guides, tackle shops and DNR personnel. These hot spots are proven to produce fish and Fishidy gives you tips on which species to target, during which season and what to throw.
However, the real benefit of Fishidy comes into play as you begin to build your fishing social network and better prepare yourself on where to fish, connect with buddies, local waterways, or make new friends and follow waterways you’d love to get the chance to fish. As friends mark their catches, and waterways report the latest conditions, you find yourself in the middle of a personal stream of continuously updated fishing data. The logging feature of Fishidy truly becomes invaluable.
And it gets even better. All of this accessibility is available in the palm of your hand. Fishidy offers a fishing map app for iPhone and Android that syncs up your data while you’re on-the-go (or on the water). As an example, say you find yourself on a stretch of productive water you want to keep track of for future reference. With Fishidy’s mobile app, it’s easy. Simply press a button on your mobile device to mark your spot or catch, and Fishidy instantly records your position on its map. Those big browns hiding below that undercut bank suddenly don’t seem to be an anomaly anymore. You’ve done your research, marked your spots, and fishing eventually become that much more enjoyable (not that it ever wasn’t).
What else can you ask for?
About the Author:
Alex S. is a writer, enjoys camping, and is new to the world of fly fishing. When not outdoors, a laptop and a cup of coffee provide good company.
What else can I ask for? You really wanna know? How about a rock to stand on? Technology is great and you know i love me some social media – but posting catches and such? ahhhhhhhhhhhh I can't say I'm a fan of that. Taking someone fishing at your favorite spot? Fine. Take two people. But putting it online for thousands to see? I've had personal experience with how that can go. No thank ya. You remember that the first time I take you to Noontootla Creek ( which ain't what it used to be exactly because of mass “sharing” like this…)
I second Owl on this. Where do we draw the line? I am all about sharing info and helping people out but there is a point when enough is enough. As much as I enjoy fishing in solitude and I guess that is something that is harder and harder to come by these days, we have nobody to blame but ourselves when overcrowding and over fishing becomes the norm. I understand that more anglers equal more voices for our sport, but at the end of the day how many of those new voices are really pitching in? The same 10% or less are the ones that are blazing the trails. I guess this is another example of the “Me” generation of things. No offense to Alex, great job on your work, but be careful what you wish for.
In response to Owl and Richard – Thanks for the feedback, your same concerns are shared by many anglers. While the younger (“Me”) generation may be more prone to sharing their fishing spots, Fishidy recognizes that others may not feel the same way. That's why we've created a way to keep all of your information private on Fishidy – if that's what you choose. We've also created a “Groups” feature, meaning catches and spots you identify on your maps will only be shared within a group of your closest buddies. So the option is yours. Again, thanks for the feedback, it's always welcome!
Thing is, it only takes one over-sharing mouth-breather with a phone to blow up a favorite gem and expose it to the masses of lazy anglers who were otherwise too inert to go check it out for themselves.I rarely agree with Jones, but I'm with him on this one; I really hope this app goes nowhere. Nowhere near my home waters, anyhow.