Your BlackBerry can help you with anything, even with fishing or boating. Despite what some people say, long weekends are meant for relaxing, not finishing home projects. I’m hoping some of you got to enjoy some downtime. A lot of people decided to go fishing. It’s not for everyone, but I do recommend trying it at least once. You may want to stick to using a lure if you are squeamish about baiting your hook with a live worm. Geez, no matter how tight you tie them in a knot, they always wriggle free. You’re hoping to catch the big one, instead of talking about the one that got away.
“I’m tellin’ ya, it was this big!”
“Um, the last time you told this story, it was only this big.”
Besides reeling in a good haul, it’s also a great time to spend some time with your friends. Hanging out in a boat, the sound of the water, the beautiful scenery and the beer hidden underwater that’s tied to the boat. If you decide to bring your BlackBerry, I’d suggest you make sure it’s in a waterproof case (maybe even a Ziploc). I also suggest that you check out these apps that are geared towards anglers and boaters.
I have to tell you, it was a bit of a challenge to find the apps and mobile sites listed below. Besides the many fishing games that users can find, there weren’t many applications to reel in.
Depending on where you take your boat, wind conditions are definitely something you should keep an eye on. Of course you shouldn’t always rely on wetting your finger and holding it in the air. WindTrack is your access point to current wind conditions for thousands of locations worldwide. You’ll have information at hand that covers both current, exact wind information and 24 hour wind forecasts. This information includes: gusts, heading, temperature and average sustained winds. Another option is to use the Wind Notifier service to inform you if current or forecasted wind conditions top your limits. The only wind condition you can’t keep track of is the wind made by your fishing buddy. WindTrack can be picked up for $6.99.
If your favourite fishing spot suddenly seems to be further and further away, it’s time to reposition and drop anchor before someone else nabs it. My Anchor Watch can be used to make sure your boat stays within your designated boundaries. Using GPS, your position is constantly monitored. You’ll be able to see your movement on your BlackBerry. You can also set up alarms and send status messages to other mobile devices if you stray too far from your comfort zone. My Anchor Watch is available for $19.90 and also has a free trial period available.
For further information on boating conditions, you can turn to TideBerry. Before you end up neck deep, you can examine tide information from over 3000 tidal stations along the US coast. You can quick view statistics and real-time data displayed in tide graphs and tables. Armed with facts like daily highs and lows, you could eliminate the possibility of watching your car float away if you parked too close. TideBerry costs $9.99, but also has a free trial available.
Safety should be your number one concern, as you don’t want anyone fishing you out of the water. You also need to know more than how to put on a life vest. The Watercraft Safety Course application puts a wealth of knowledge in the palm of your hands. You can check out safety videos that cover everything from floatation devices and trip preparation to adding fuel and anchoring. To make sure you pay attention, the application also includes quizzes. Watercraft Safety Course costs $6.99.
Another database you should read up on is Everything Sailing OffLine application. Those who are looking to get their sea legs should definitely check this one out. This application covers a lot of information on sailboats and sailing in general, without having to go online. Each chapter covers in depth knowledge on maintenance, protection and apparel, navigational charts and mooring - to name a few. Soon, you’ll be sailing like Captain Ron, well, hopefully after he takes a look at this app.Everything Sailing Offline is available for $14.99.
Now I know not everyone hops into a boat to just go fishing. Unfortunately, I haven’t found any “how to not get launched off an inner tube” app yet, but I did find this: StrokeWatch. Made with the rower in mind, this application works as a timer; helping you calculate the stroke rate per minute. I’m not big on the sport of rowing, but this application will help you determine who will win before they win, based on the stroke rate. StrokeWatch costs $4.99.
One of the worst things to get into, while on a boat, is a medical emergency. If you’re in the middle of the lake or somewhere more isolated and something happens, there is a good chance that someone inexperienced may experience panic. First Aid is a handy application to have at your disposal. While it doesn’t replace professional medical attention, it will offer help until you can find said attention. The application will give you detailed information on the correct procedure for treating burns, cuts, stroke, seizures and more. Now you can take charge the next time your fishing buddy hooks himself. First Aid is available for $2.99.
When you think of outdoors, you should think of Trimble Outdoors. They pretty much go hand in hand. You can use the mobile application to find your way to and from a specific location using GPS. This makes finding the fishing sweet spot, the next time you venture out, much more easily. You can also share these spots with friends. You can also document ‘the one that got away’ with video and photos and share with Trimble’s online community. Trimble Outdoors is $19.99 and has a free trial period available.
For those who live in the United States, or who go to the States for a fishing trip - turn to Wireless Angler for help. This mobile app is jam packed with information for anglers. You can check out regional fishing reports, tackle stores, moon phases, tides, weather and guides. For those who are amateur anglers, this may be too much information and may become confusing. This app is available for a monthly subscription of $4.99.
If all else fails and you still have a craving for fish for dinner, you can always try Sea Food Finder. This application will point you in the direction of the nearest sea food restaurant, regardless if you have a GPS-enabled BlackBerry or not. You can call ahead for take-out or reservations directly from the application or plug it in to a map for directions. I’m just not sure how a stuffed and mounted box of popcorn shrimp will look on your mantle. Sea Food Finder costs $2.99.
Now that you have had a look at these apps, grab your rods and lures. If you are using any other apps to help you get some nibbles, let us know.
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