Buddy-Finding Apps · 2026
Best Fishing Buddy Apps for
Finding a Fishing Partner
Plenty of apps help anglers log catches and find fishing spots. A much smaller group of apps actually help you find a fishing partner. Here is how the buddy-finding apps compare, plus where the catch-logging apps fit if you already have someone to fish with.
Updated June 2026 · Covers MyFishingBuds, Co-Angler, Fish-Together, Fishbrain, ANGLR, and Fishidy
In Short
A fishing buddy app is a mobile app that helps anglers find a compatible fishing partner near them. As of 2026 there are three apps built specifically around this idea: MyFishingBuds (the only app that combines matching with safety + AI trip planning), Co-Angler (focused single-purpose matchmaker), and Fish-Together (community + buddy matching). The popular catch-logging apps — Fishbrain, ANGLR, and Fishidy — do not match anglers with each other and are designed for solo fishing. If your goal is to find a fishing partner, the right pick comes down to whether you want a single-purpose matcher (Co-Angler), a fuller platform with safety + trip planning (MyFishingBuds), or something free-form (Fish-Together). For solo logging, the catch-data apps remain the right choice.
Bottom Line
If you want to find a fishing partner, MyFishingBuds, Co-Angler, and Fish-Together are the three apps purpose-built for it. Of those, MyFishingBuds is the only one that also includes free safety tools and AI trip planning.
Quick Feature Comparison
| Feature | MFB | Fishbrain | ANGLR | Fishidy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buddy / partner matching | ✓ | — | — | — |
| AI-powered features | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Float plans + GPS safety | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Trip creation & crew mgmt | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Fish ID from photo | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Catch log | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Catch heatmap | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Share catch, hide spot | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Private waypoints + bud sharing | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Private catch journal (AI auto-fill) | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Pricing | Free forever · Pro $12.99/mo · 14-day Pro trial included | $9.99/mo or $74.99/yr | Free · $30/yr Pro | $9.99/mo or $49.99/yr |
Detailed Breakdown
MyFishingBuds
⭐ Best for Buddy FindingThe only app built for finding a fishing partner
💰 Free forever · Pro $12.99/mo · 14-day Pro trial included
Pros
- ✓Only app with buddy matching by skill, species & availability
- ✓Bite Score: live NOAA tides, USGS water conditions & solunar data
- ✓AI Trip Planner using live conditions (not historical averages)
- ✓Float plans + GPS + emergency alerts (included on all plans)
- ✓Catch heatmap + NOAA nautical charts (Pro)
- ✓Private waypoints — drop spots only you see; share with a bud or crew (Pro)
- ✓Private catch journal with AI auto-fill — species, GPS, gear (Pro)
- ✓Mentor Mode — appear first in beginner Discover results (Pro)
- ✓AI Fish ID with fishing regulations lookup by state
- ✓Full learn-to-fish library — knots, species, techniques
Cons
- —Smaller community than Fishbrain (newer platform)
- —No bathymetric depth maps
Fishbrain
🐟 Best Data & CommunityAll the intel you need to catch more fish
💰 $9.99/mo or $74.99/yr
Pros
- ✓14 million catch locations logged
- ✓AI fish species recognition
- ✓Community-based fishing forecasts (historical catch patterns)
- ✓20 million user community
Cons
- —No buddy or partner matching
- —No safety features (float plans, GPS)
- —No trip creation or crew management
- —Location sharing required to contribute to community
- —No private waypoints or private catch journal
ANGLR
🆓 Best Free OptionLive for the water
💰 Free · $30/yr Pro
Pros
- ✓Completely free core app
- ✓2.5M+ waypoints logged
- ✓Strong catch-sharing community
- ✓$30/yr Pro is very affordable
Cons
- —No buddy or partner matching
- —No safety or float plan features
- —No AI features
- —No private waypoints or catch journal
Fishidy
🗺️ Best MapsFishing hot spot maps
💰 $9.99/mo or $49.99/yr
Pros
- ✓Bathymetric depth contour maps
- ✓Expert-verified fishing tips
- ✓Seasonal and stocking information
Cons
- —No buddy or partner matching
- —No safety features
- —No AI features
- —No private waypoints or catch journal
Which App Should You Use?
Finding a fishing partner
Only option — no other app does this.
Finding spots with catch data
14M catch locations, best data.
Free tier for finding a buddy
Only free matchmaking app. Free tier includes 3 trip joins/mo, 15 messages/mo, and the full safety stack at no charge.
Free tier for solo catch logging
No usage caps on its free tier — log unlimited catches and waypoints, $30/yr Pro is optional.
Depth maps for lake fishing
Best bathymetric contour maps.
Safety on the water
Only app with float plans + GPS emergency alerts.
AI-powered fishing tools
Trip planning, Fish ID, regulations, chatbot.
Keeping your spots private
Private waypoints + share selectively with buds. Fishbrain requires public location sharing.
Logging catches privately
Private catch journal with AI auto-fill. Other apps only have public catch logs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best app for finding a fishing partner?
MyFishingBuds is the only app built specifically for finding a fishing partner. It matches you with compatible anglers by fishing style, species, skill, and schedule. Fishbrain, ANGLR, and Fishidy are excellent solo fishing apps — none help you find someone to fish with.
Is there a Tinder for fishing?
MyFishingBuds is often described as the fishing buddy app. It shows compatible anglers near you, you connect, plan a trip, and go fishing. Filter by skill, species, style, availability, and whether they have a boat.
Which fishing app has the best safety features?
MyFishingBuds has the most comprehensive safety of any fishing app: GPS float plans, automatic emergency contact alerts if you miss check-in, SOS, and weather alerts — all free on every plan.
What fishing app uses AI?
Fishbrain uses AI for fish ID and spot prediction. MyFishingBuds goes further: AI Trip Planner (live NOAA, USGS, solunar), AI Fish ID with state regulations lookup, and an AI Fishing Buddy chatbot.
Are these fishing apps free?
MyFishingBuds is free forever — profile, browse, 3 trip joins a month, and full safety stack at no charge. New accounts get 14 days of Pro included automatically; Pro is $12.99/mo after that. ANGLR has a permanently free tier with optional $30/yr Pro. Fishbrain and Fishidy have limited free tiers with $9.99/mo premium upgrades.
The Bottom Line
If you want to find a fishing partner, MyFishingBuds is the only app on this list that does it.
If you want the deepest catch database, Fishbrain wins on size — 14 million logged locations and 20M users.
If you want the best free tier, ANGLR is fully free for the basics, and MFB Free includes matchmaking, 15 messages/mo, the full safety stack, and 14 days of Pro on signup.
Ready to find your next fishing bud?
Free forever. 14 days of full Pro included on signup. No credit card required.
Get Started Free →Float plans, GPS tracking, and SOS are included on every plan.