Fishing can be much easier with a smartwatch. Instead of carrying a ton of equipment with you every time you go fishing, you can use a single gadget with many features.
In this post, I want to help you find the best smartwatch to give you the ultimate fishing experience!
To do so, we are going to look at some key features you should look for in a smartwatch and then we are going to look at some of my favorite options on the market.
Let’s get started…
Table of Contents
4 Features To Look For In A Fishing Smartwatch
There are some features you need to look for before buying a smartwatch for fishing.
Sunlight Legibility
Since fishing is mostly done during daylight, you need to get a smartwatch with a display that offers good readability in direct sunlight. Look for a smartwatch that comes with an LED backlight to boost sunlight Legibility.
Tide Times Monitoring
A smartwatch that’s suitable for fishing should come with a tide times monitor. Basically, the watch informs the fisherman at what time to expect low and high tide.
Being informed about the tide times is important for fishing since it affects how and when the fish move.
Durability
Using a smartwatch during fishing can expose the watch to harsh conditions. It’d be a good idea to get a rugged smartwatch to make sure it lasts for a long time.
A durable smartwatch is usually made of a combination of polycarbonate plastic and steel.
You also need to make sure that the display is covered with a strong coating, preferably Gorilla Glass.
Water-resistance is another handy feature to look for.
Navigation & Built-in Barometers/Altimeters
A smartwatch with a built-in GPS and compass would make navigation quite easy for you.
Additionally, having a smartwatch with a built-in barometer and altimeter is pretty useful. It can help you find the best fishing spot with the highest level of underwater life activity.
The Best Smartwatches For Fishing – My top 6 picks
With so many smartwatches around, making a choice isn’t so easy. To help you choose, we’ve reviewed five of the best smartwatches for fishing.
Let’s take a closer look at the key features that make these options stand out
Suunto Traverse Alpha
Features:
- GPS – Breadcrumb navigation
- Glass Material: Saphire Crystal
- Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
- Barometer
- Moon Phase Calender
- Automatic Shot Detection
- Point of Interest Markers
- Sunrise and Sunset Times
- Weather/Storm Alarm
- Weight: 2.65 ounces
- Altimeter
- Compass
- 330 feet water resistance
The Suunto Traverse Alpha Watch is designed for fishermen who prefer to rely on their watch in everything including navigating and fishing in different weather conditions.
It features a high resolution, anti-reflective display that maximizes readability direct sunlight. Moreover, you can illuminate the case using the three crown buttons, allowing you to fish without scaring the fish by using a lantern.
It’s also equipped with a barometer pressure detector, a digital thermostat and weather/storm alerts, to help you determine the underwater life activity level during fishing.
Simply, keep scanning the region and the watch will help you find the best fishing time in your area.
One feature that I really like is the built-in GPS. What really makes it unique is the breadcrumb navigation so that you can see exactly where you have been and where you are going.
With this watch, you can never use the excuse “I got lost in the woods” to stay out longer.
Are you a hunter? If so, check out some other cool features specifically designed with hunters in mind in the following video:
What We Like
- Stylish
- Excellent sunlight readability
- Built-in barometer and thermostat
- GPS navigation
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
Ticwatch S2 Waterproof Smartwatch
Features:
- Built-In GPS
- Waterproof down to 50 meters
- Download apps from Google Play
- Google Assistant Built-In
- US Military Grade Durability
- Gorilla Glass
- Available In 3 Colors
The Ticwatch S2 is a budget-friendly smartwatch that’s full of features that any fisherman would appreciate. It features a military-grade, rugged design for withstanding extreme conditions.
Hey, let’s face it, sometimes hiking back into the woods to get to that secret fishing spot is going to require some trudging through the woods. The last thing we want to have on our mind is our watch.
We just want it to be there and do its thing.
That is what you can expect with the Ticwatch S2 with its military-grade durability and gorilla glass. Simply put, this smartwatch was built to last.
In addition, it is waterproof up to 50 meters underwater.
The 1.39″ AMOLED high contrast display is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass.
Featuring a built-in GPS with 3 satellite systems, you’ll never lose your way with this watch on your wrist.
Lastly, the operating system allows you to download thousands of apps from Google Play.
What We Like
- Military-grade rugged design
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
- GPS with 3 satellite systems
- Decent price
- Google Wear OS – Lots of apps to download
- High contrast display
What We Don’t Like
- Battery life not as good as others
Casio Men’s “Pro Trek”
Features:
- Built-in GPS
- Digital Compass
- Altimeter
- Barometer
- Waster Resistant down to 50 meters
- Google Wear OS
- Location Memory
- Offline Map viewing
The Casio Pro Trek Smartwatch has a lot to offer.
It’s equipped with sensors that allow you to measure altitude, atmospheric pressure, and directions.
The color map is fun to use and it makes navigating a breeze. You can save an area on the map for offline viewing. In addition, you can download Fishbrain app, one of the world’s largest fishing communities apps.
An app designed to improve your success on the water.
This watch runs on Google’s Wear OS and it’s compatible with smartphones running Android 4.4 and above, and iPhones running iOS 8.2 and above.
You can download tons of useful apps from Google Play.
Another good feature is its battery life. It’ll last up to two days on a single charge.
What We Like
- 50m water resistance
- Wear OS with many apps to download
- Built-in thermometer, compass, barometer, and altimeter
- Good battery life
- Color map with offline viewing
What We Don’t Like
- The software is slow and buggy
Samsung Gear S3 Frontier
Features:
- Built-in GPS
- Water-Resistant
- Dust Resistant
- Extreme Temperatures Resistant
- Compatible with Android and IOS
- Battery Life up to 3 days
The Gear S3 Frontier is a more rugged, outdoor-oriented version of the Gear S3 Classic that’s made to withstand extreme conditions, and it doesn’t even look rugged, thanks to the beautifully designed bezel.
There are four protruding sides for full collision protection.
It features a large display for a super high contrast ratio and great sunlight legibility. The battery lasts for 1.5 – 2 days, which is pretty decent.
The built-in GPS and compass allow you to navigate quite easily.
In addition, the Gear S3 Frontier is dust and water-resistant.
It’s also compatible with both Android and iOS. The Gear S3 Frontier may not be the cheapest smartwatch around but it’s definitely worth the extra cash.
What We Like
- Rugged and stylish design
- Built-in GPS for easy navigation
- Good battery life
- Dust and water-resistant
What We Don’t Like
- A little expensive
You May Also Enjoy Reading: Choosing The Best Fishing Watch 2020 – Timing Out The Perfect Catch
Garmin Fenix 5X Sapphire
Features:
- Rugged design
- Built-in GPS
- Scratch Resistant Sapphire lens
- Compass
- Gyroscope
- Altimeter
- Barometer
This rugged smartwatch comes with all the features a fisherman would expect, including GPS (and GLONASS), a 3-axis compass, barometer, and altimeter.
These features help you navigate and pick the best spot and time for fishing
It features a LED-backlit high resolution, full-color display that allows for great readability in direct sunlight.
It features a Sapphire lens that is scratch resistant.
The smartwatch is also highly customizable.
It’s available in three sizes (42mm, 47mm, or 51mm) and two crystals (glass or sapphire edition). There are extra features that can be added if you want, like the heart rate bundle and extra maps.
The Garmin Fenix 5X is running on Android Wear software. It’ll provide you with real-time surf and snow conditions.
You can use Google voice search and activate it by simply saying “OK, Google” so you can search handsfree. Other perks are centered around google apps like google play and maps.
What We Like
- Android wear software offers many useful apps
- Good readability in direct sunlight
- Highly customizable
- Easy navigation
- Weather conditions updates
What We Don’t Like
- Bulky design
Garmin Instinct
Features:
- Built-in GPS
- Military Grade Durability
- Water Resistant down to 100 meters
- Compass
- Altimeter
- Barometer
- Shock Resistant
- Thermal Resistant
- Up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode
The final product on our list is the Garmin Instinct.
It features a military-grade fiber-reinforced case for extra strength and durability.
The built-in GPS and 3-axis compass mean that you’ll never lose your way when you go fishing. The TracBack feature allows you to navigate your route back to where you started.
Moreover, it’s equipped with a barometer and an altimeter.
The high contrast display lets you read text easily in bright sunlight.
The battery lasts for 14 days in smartwatch mode, 14 hours in GPS mode, and 40 hours in battery saver mode.
What We Like
- Built-in GPS and 3-axis compass with TracBack feature
- Durable, military-grade design
- Decent battery life
- Thermal, shock, and water-resistant
What We Don’t Like
- The band
Final Thoughts
So, what is the best smartwatch for fishing?
The winner is the Suunto Traverse Alpha. It’s got everything any fisherman would need for navigation and fishing, like GPS and a built-in barometer and altimeter.
Not to mention the beautiful design.
Now it is your turn. Which one is your favorite? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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