Fish Fathom FAQ - Your Fishing App Questions Answered

Fish Fathom is an AI-powered fishing intelligence app that combines official NOAA marine data with advanced artificial intelligence to help anglers catch more fish. Unlike traditional fishing apps, Fish Fathom features Captain Brad AI - the most advanced AI fishing assistant that provides real-time recommendations based on weather, species behavior, and historical catch data. Many anglers consider Fish Fathom the best fishing app with AI for offshore and coastal fishing.

Fish Fathom is available for both iOS and Android devices. Visit the App Store on your iPhone or iPad, or the Google Play Store on your Android device, and search for "Fish Fathom". You can also download directly from our website where you'll find direct links to both app stores.

Yes! Fish Fathom offers a free tier with access to basic navigation features. Premium features like NOAA fish surveys, Captain Brad AI, advanced heat maps, offline map downloads, and weather-enriched predictions require a subscription starting at $18.99/month.

Fish Fathom supports iOS 14.0+ (iPhone, iPad) and Android 8.0+ devices. The app is optimized for phones and tablets, with responsive design that adapts to your screen size. For the best experience, we recommend using devices from the last 3-4 years with at least 2GB of RAM and GPS capability.

Fish Fathom works both online and offline! You can download maps, NOAA data, and fishing charts for offline use, making it perfect for remote fishing locations. Captain Brad AI requires an internet connection for real-time recommendations, but you can still navigate, log catches, and view downloaded maps without connectivity.

Captain Brad AI is your personal fishing expert powered by deep learning artificial intelligence. Captain Brad analyzes 10+ years of NOAA fisheries data, real-time weather conditions, species behavior patterns, and your current location to provide data-driven fishing recommendations. Think of Captain Brad as having a seasoned charter captain with decades of experience right in your pocket.

Captain Brad uses advanced AI models trained on millions of NOAA fish observations, combined with real-time weather data, tidal information, and species-specific behavior patterns. When you ask Captain Brad a question, the AI analyzes your location, current conditions, target species, and historical catch data to provide personalized recommendations. Every recommendation includes a confidence score so you know how reliable the prediction is.

Captain Brad AI provides data-driven predictions based on 10+ years of NOAA fisheries data and 60,000+ documented catches. Reliability varies based on data availability for your target area and species - popular fishing zones with rich NOAA survey data provide the most reliable recommendations. Results depend on current conditions, and we always recommend using Captain Brad as one tool in your fishing strategy.

You can ask Captain Brad anything fishing-related! Examples: "Where should I fish for redfish today?", "What's the best bait for speckled trout in this weather?", "When is high tide and how will it affect fishing?", "What species are biting within 5 miles of my location?", "Should I fish deep or shallow in these conditions?". Captain Brad understands natural language, so ask questions just like you would a real fishing guide.

Yes! When you log catches in Fish Fathom, Captain Brad incorporates that data into future recommendations for similar conditions. The more you use the app and log your catches (including unsuccessful trips), the smarter Captain Brad becomes at understanding patterns in your local fishing areas.

Captain Brad AI requires an internet connection to process real-time weather data and access the full NOAA database for recommendations. However, you can save previous conversations and recommendations for offline reference. We're working on an offline mode that will allow basic AI recommendations based on downloaded data - coming in a future update!

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) conducts scientific fish surveys where marine biologists record fish catches, species counts, and environmental conditions. Fish Fathom integrates official NOAA data from the NOAA Fisheries Bottom Trawl Survey and NOAA Recreational Fishing Statistics - representing 10+ years of fisheries science from 2015-2025 - to show you where specific species have been caught historically. This peer-reviewed data is the gold standard for understanding fish populations and behavior.

AI heat maps visualize where fish are most likely to be based on NOAA survey data and environmental conditions. Fish Fathom's AI analyzes thousands of catch records for your target species, factors in current weather and water conditions, then generates color-coded probability zones (red = high probability, blue = low probability). Heat maps update based on seasons, tidal patterns, and recent fishing activity.

HD relief shading is a 3D visualization of underwater terrain that helps you identify structure where fish congregate. Our high-resolution shading shows depth contours, drop-offs, ledges, channels, and underwater features that attract baitfish and predators. Relief shading works offline and is especially valuable for finding productive fishing spots in unfamiliar waters.

Absolutely! You can create unlimited custom waypoints to mark productive fishing spots, boat ramps, hazards, and points of interest. Each waypoint can be customized with colors, icons, notes, and photos. Waypoints sync across your devices and can be organized into trips or routes for easy navigation.

Download marine charts and maps for your fishing areas while connected to WiFi, then navigate completely offline. Fish Fathom's offline mode includes GPS positioning, waypoint navigation, route planning, and NOAA survey data - no cell signal required. Perfect for remote coastal areas, offshore fishing, and conserving mobile data.

Yes! Fish Fathom includes smart catch logging that records species, size, weight, location, time, weather conditions, and photos. Catch logs help Captain Brad AI improve recommendations and let you track your fishing success over time. You can export your catch history as GPX files or view analytics showing your most productive spots and techniques.

Fish Fathom collects location data (to provide fishing recommendations), catch logs (if you choose to log catches), app usage analytics (to improve features), and Captain Brad AI conversations. All data collection is transparent and disclosed in our Privacy Policy. We do NOT access your contacts, photos (except fishing photos you explicitly share), or any data unrelated to fishing.

Absolutely. Your waypoints are sacred and completely private - they are NEVER shared. Data syncing to our servers (for backup and multi-device access) is completely optional and disabled by default. If you enable syncing, your waypoint data is encrypted and stored securely. Your catch logs and Captain Brad conversations are also private. We do not share, sell, or use your fishing spots in any way.

Location data is used only to provide fishing recommendations, display your position on maps, and calculate distances to waypoints. Location data is processed securely and is not sold to third parties. You can disable location services at any time in your device settings, though this will limit Captain Brad's ability to provide location-specific recommendations.

Absolutely! You can export all your catch logs, waypoints, and routes in standard GPX format at any time. Exported data includes full details (species, coordinates, timestamps, weather conditions, photos) and can be imported into other fishing apps or mapping software. Your data belongs to you - we make it easy to take it with you.

No, never. Fish Fathom does NOT sell your personal fishing data, location history, or catch logs to third parties. Individual user data remains completely confidential and is never used to train AI models. Our business model is subscription-based, not data sales. Read our full Privacy Policy for details.

Fish Fathom uses official NOAA nautical charts and marine cartography, which are the same charts used by commercial vessels and the US Coast Guard. Map accuracy is typically within 3-10 meters depending on GPS signal quality. Depths, hazards, and navigational markers are sourced from official government surveys and updated regularly as NOAA releases new chart editions.

Yes! Premium subscribers can download marine charts, NOAA survey data, and relief shading for offline use. Simply select your fishing area, choose "Download for Offline", and select the map layers you need. Downloaded maps work completely offline with full GPS positioning and navigation features.

Storage requirements vary by area size and map detail. A typical 50-mile coastal region requires 100-300MB for NOAA charts, relief shading, and survey data. We use efficient compression to minimize storage while maintaining high visual quality. You can manage downloads in Settings to free up space when needed.

Fish Fathom natively supports NOAA ENC (Electronic Navigational Charts), NOAA RNC (Raster Navigational Charts), and custom bathymetric data. We also support GPX file import/export for waypoints and routes, making it easy to transfer data between Fish Fathom and other marine electronics or fishing apps.

Yes! You can export waypoints and routes as GPX files and share them via email, text message, or AirDrop. Recipients can import your GPX file into Fish Fathom or any compatible navigation app. This is perfect for sharing productive fishing spots with buddies or coordinating multi-boat fishing trips.

Fish Fathom offers a free tier that includes basic navigation and waypoint creation. Premium features like NOAA fish surveys, Captain Brad AI, advanced heat maps, and offline downloads require a subscription. You can use Fish Fathom for basic navigation without paying, but the full fishing intelligence features require Premium.

Premium features include: NOAA fish surveys, Captain Brad AI assistant, advanced AI heat maps with probability zones, weather-enriched predictions, offline map downloads, HD relief shading, route planning, unlimited catch logging with analytics, priority feature access, and ad-free experience. Free users get basic navigation and waypoint creation only.

Fish Fathom Premium is $18.99/month or $129/year (save 43%). We also offer a 7-day free trial so you can test all premium features before committing. Subscriptions include all app features across all your devices (iOS and Android) with no hidden fees or in-app purchases.

Absolutely! New users get a 7-day free trial of Fish Fathom Premium with full access to advanced heat maps, offline downloads, and all premium features. Cancel anytime during the trial with no charges. The trial is a great way to test premium features in your local waters before subscribing.

Subscriptions are managed through the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). On iOS: Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > Fish Fathom > Cancel. On Android: Play Store > Menu > Subscriptions > Fish Fathom > Cancel. You'll retain premium access until the end of your current billing period. You can resubscribe anytime to restore premium features.

If Captain Brad isn't responding, first check your internet connection - AI recommendations require connectivity. If you're connected but still having issues, try: (1) Verify you have an active Premium subscription (Captain Brad AI requires Premium), (2) Force-close and reopen the app, (3) Update to the latest app version in the App Store/Play Store. If problems persist, contact support@fishfathom.com with details.

Map download issues are usually related to: (1) Insufficient storage space - free up at least 500MB on your device, (2) Weak WiFi connection - downloads pause on cellular to avoid data charges, (3) Download queue is full - cancel pending downloads and try again. Make sure you're on a stable WiFi connection and the app isn't in battery saver mode which can pause downloads.

GPS accuracy issues can be caused by: (1) Weak GPS signal - step outside or move away from buildings/trees for better satellite visibility, (2) Location services disabled - enable Location in device Settings for Fish Fathom, (3) Device GPS needs calibration - walk in a figure-8 pattern to recalibrate compass. If location is consistently off by 20+ meters, restart your device to reset GPS.

On iOS: Open App Store, tap your profile icon (top right), scroll to Available Updates, tap "Update" next to Fish Fathom. On Android: Open Play Store, tap Menu (three lines), select "My apps & games", find Fish Fathom in Updates, tap "Update". Enable automatic updates in store settings to always have the latest features and bug fixes.

We're here to help! Contact Fish Fathom support at support@fishfathom.com or use the Contact Support page. Include your device model, OS version, and a description of the issue for fastest resolution. We typically respond within 24 hours on business days.