The Fishing Partner App
Find a Fishing Buddy Near You
Stop fishing alone. MyFishingBuds matches you with compatible anglers near you — by fishing style, target species, skill level, and when you are free — then helps you plan the trip and stay safe on the water.
Free forever · 90 days of Pro included · Float plans & SOS free for everyone
Written & reviewed by the MyFishingBuds team · Updated July 2026
How do you find a fishing buddy?
To find a fishing buddy, use a dedicated fishing-partner app rather than a catch-logging app. On MyFishingBuds you create a free angler profile and get matched with compatible anglers near you, ranked by five factors — fishing style, target species, skill level, availability, and distance. You then message a match, plan a trip together with a shared gear checklist and meet-up point, and file a free GPS float plan — a safety step recommended by the U.S. Coast Guard — that you share with someone on shore so they know your plan and when you're due back. It is free forever: browse matches, join one trip a month, and use every safety feature at no cost, with 90 days of Pro included when you sign up. Unlike Fishbrain, ANGLR, or Fishidy — which log catches and map spots but can't connect you with a person — MyFishingBuds is built specifically for finding a fishing partner.
How to find fishing buddies near you
Fishing buddy, fishing partner, someone to fish with — whatever you call it, the problem is the same: your usual crew is busy, you are new to an area, or you just do not want to fish alone. MyFishingBuds fixes it by matching you with compatible anglers near you — ranked by fishing style, target species, skill level, availability, and distance — so the person you meet actually fishes the way you do.
Browsing your matches is free. Want to know how the app itself works? See the fishing buddy app explained. Looking for a specific area? Jump to your city below.
Fishing somewhere new with a bud? Check the rules first: do you need a fishing license? 2026 cost by state.
How to find a fishing partner in 4 steps
Create your angler profile
Tell us how you fish — style, target species, skill level, your boat (or that you need one), and when you are free.
See compatible buddies nearby
Discover matches you with anglers near you, ranked by fishing style, species, skill, availability, and distance.
Connect and message
Send a request to anglers you like the look of, chat to compare notes, and find a trip that works for both of you.
Plan the trip and go
Create a trip with crew, a gear checklist, a meet point, and an AI-planned bite window — then file a float plan and head out.
Why fish with a buddy?
Fish safer
Most safety advice says never fish alone — especially offshore, wading, or on the ice. A buddy (plus a free float plan) is your best on-water insurance.
Share the boat and the cost
Boat owners have empty seats; bank anglers need a ride. Match a captain with crew and split fuel, bait, and launch fees.
Catch more, learn faster
Fishing with someone who knows the water — or a different technique — is the fastest way to level up. Match by skill and species to learn what you want.
It is just more fun
New to an area, new to the sport, or your usual crew is busy? A compatible buddy turns a solo afternoon into a better day on the water.
Why MyFishingBuds is the app for finding a partner
Built for matching — not just logging
Most fishing apps log your catches or sell you maps. MyFishingBuds is the only one designed around finding a compatible partner near you.
Free safety on every plan
Shareable GPS float plans, live GPS tracking, and an SOS button are included at no extra cost — because filing a float plan should never be a premium upsell.
AI trip planning with live conditions
Once you have a buddy and a date, the AI Trip Planner builds a plan from live NOAA weather, USGS water data, barometric pressure, and solunar tables.
Learn-to-fish library, free
Knots, species guides, techniques, gear, and state-by-state regulations and licenses — no login required.
See how we stack up against the big catch-logging apps in our best fishing apps comparison and the head-to-head MyFishingBuds vs Fishbrain.
MyFishingBuds vs other fishing apps
| Feature | MyFishingBuds | Fishbrain | ANGLR | Fishidy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finds you a fishing partner | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Plan trips with crew + gear list | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Free GPS float plans & SOS | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Log your catches | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free to start | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Fishbrain, ANGLR, and Fishidy are catch-logging and map apps — none of them match you with a fishing partner. Full breakdown in our best fishing apps comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a fishing partner near me?
Create a free MyFishingBuds profile and open Discover. We match you with compatible anglers nearby based on your fishing style, target species, skill level, and availability. Connect with the ones you like, message to compare notes, and plan a trip together.
Is there an app to find a fishing buddy?
Yes — MyFishingBuds is built specifically for it. Catch-logging apps like Fishbrain show you fish data but have no way to find a partner. MyFishingBuds matches you with real anglers near you and helps you actually meet up and fish.
Is it free to find a fishing buddy?
Yes — MyFishingBuds is free forever. You can browse matches, join 1 trip a month, message connected buds, and use every safety feature at no charge. New accounts also get 90 days of Pro included automatically. Pro is $12.99/month after that for unlimited trip joins and the full AI toolkit. No credit card required to start.
Is it safe to meet a fishing buddy from an app?
MyFishingBuds gives you profiles, post-trip ratings, and in-app messaging so you can vet a partner before you commit, plus free GPS float plans you file and share so someone on shore knows your plan and when you are due back. For a first trip, meet in a public place, tell someone your plan, and file a float plan.
What if I do not have a boat?
That is exactly who buddy matching helps. Plenty of boat owners have open seats and are looking for crew to share the trip and split costs. You can filter for anglers with a boat — or offer to cover bait and fuel.
How is MyFishingBuds different from Fishbrain or other fishing apps?
Fishbrain, ANGLR, and Fishidy are solo apps for logging catches and finding spots. None of them match you with a fishing partner. MyFishingBuds is the only app built for finding a buddy, planning the trip, and staying safe on the water.
Is there a free alternative to paid fishing buddy directories?
Yes. Paid directories like FindAFishingBuddy.com charge a one-time $49 lifetime membership for a browsable member list by state and county — and that site states it is not a matchmaking site. MyFishingBuds is free forever and actually matches you: by fishing style, target species, skill, schedule, and whether you have a boat. Float plans and SOS are free for everyone, on every plan.
Whatever kind of angler you are
Matching works by how and what you fish — so it fits boat owners, bank anglers, tournament fishers, and newcomers alike.
🚤 Boat owners with an open seat
A built-in boat crew finder: got a boat and an empty seat? Post your trip and match with crew who fish your style, split the gas, and actually show up. Fill that open seat instead of running solo.
🎣 Bank & wading anglers
No boat, no problem. Find a shore or wading partner who fishes your local rivers, piers, and banks — safer and more fun than fishing alone, and you learn new spots faster.
🏆 Tournament & co-anglers
A co-angler finder for the competitive crowd: line up a co-angler for a tournament or a regular practice partner who fishes your circuit, targets your species, and matches your schedule.
🧭 New in town or new to fishing
Just moved or just starting out? Match with welcoming locals and mentors who know the water, so you skip the trial-and-error and get on fish sooner.
Find a fishing buddy by state
Browse anglers and cities across an entire state, with a rundown of local species and waters.
Find a fishing buddy in your city
Dedicated pages for the regions our anglers ask about most — local species, seasons, and launch tips per location. Canadian anglers: we cover finding a fishing buddy in Ontario, Canada and the fly-in country around Sioux Lookout.
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Ontario
Ontario, Canada
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Sioux Lookout
Northwestern Ontario, Canada
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Toronto
Ontario, Canada
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Tampa
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Miami
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Orlando
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Anna Maria Island
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Marco Island
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in New York City
New York
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Houston
Texas
📍 Find a fishing buddy in San Diego
California
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Green Bay
Wisconsin
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Detroit
Michigan
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Erie
Pennsylvania
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Buffalo
New York
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Dallas
Texas
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Sacramento
California
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Milwaukee
Wisconsin
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Minneapolis
Minnesota
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Knoxville
Tennessee
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Wilmington
North Carolina
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Denver
Colorado
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Chicago
Illinois
📍 Find a fishing buddy in New Orleans
Louisiana
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Charleston
South Carolina
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Seattle
Washington
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Atlanta
Georgia
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Phoenix
Arizona
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Virginia Beach
Virginia
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Lake of the Ozarks
Missouri
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Fort Lauderdale
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Key West
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Islamorada
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Marathon
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Key Largo
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in West Palm Beach
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Jupiter
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Boca Raton
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Pompano Beach
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Homestead
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Stuart
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Naples
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Fort Myers
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Cape Coral
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Sanibel Island
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Pine Island
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Bonita Springs
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Boca Grande
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Punta Gorda
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in St. Petersburg
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Clearwater
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Bradenton
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Sarasota
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Venice
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Englewood
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Titusville
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Melbourne
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Vero Beach
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Fort Pierce
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Port St. Lucie
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Lake Okeechobee
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Clewiston
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Sebring
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Chokoloskee
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Siesta Key
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Longboat Key
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Port Canaveral
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Sebastian
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Kissimmee
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Winter Haven
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Lakeland
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Deerfield Beach
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Tarpon Springs
Florida
📍 Find a fishing buddy in Homosassa
Florida
The Bottom Line
Don't fish alone — and don't wait until you have the perfect plan. Build a free profile, find one compatible bud nearby, and file a float plan before you launch. That's the whole loop. MyFishingBuds is the only app built around it.
Find your next fishing buddy today
Match with anglers near you, plan a trip, and never fish alone again. Free forever — and 90 days of Pro on the house when you sign up.
Get Started Free →