10 Best Fishing Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin fēnix® 8 smartwatch is a robust choice for fishing enthusiasts and adventurers. Its standout feature is the 51 mm AMOLED display with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, ensuring visibility and durability in harsh conditions. The titanium bezel adds to its ruggedness and the built-in LED flashlight is handy for low-light situations. The watch's water resistance is exceptional, with a 40-meter dive rating, making it suitable for scuba and apnea diving activities. This makes it a reliable companion for underwater adventures.

Battery life is impressive, offering up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and up to 84 hours in GPS mode, which means less frequent charging even during prolonged outdoor activities. GPS and navigation are superior, thanks to multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology, providing accurate positioning. The watch also includes sensors for an altimeter, barometer, and compass, crucial for navigation and understanding environmental conditions. However, it lacks specific tide and moon phase data, which might be a drawback for some fishing enthusiasts.

On the smart features front, the watch allows phone calls and voice assistant responses directly from your wrist, enhancing convenience. Health monitoring is comprehensive with heart rate, sleep tracking, respiration, and Pulse Ox, although it should not be relied on as a medical device. The price point might be high for some users, but considering its advanced features and rugged build, it offers great value for serious adventurers and athletes.

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is a robust outdoor smartwatch that excels in multiple areas essential for fishing enthusiasts. Its water resistance up to 100 meters ensures it can handle wet conditions, making it perfect for fishing trips. The watch is highly durable, boasting thermal and shock resistance, as well as a fiber-reinforced polymer case with scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass. The standout feature is its solar charging capability, potentially offering unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode with sufficient exposure to sunlight, though GPS mode offers up to 48 hours with solar support. This can be quite helpful for extended fishing trips away from power sources.

GPS and multi-GNSS support (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) enhance navigation, and the TracBack routing feature is useful for retracing your steps. The built-in altimeter, barometer, and compass (ABC) sensors provide essential environmental data, while tide and moon phase data are particularly relevant for fishing activities. The watch also includes smart features like smart notifications and compatibility with the Connect IQ store, adding convenience.

It's worth noting that the advanced health monitoring features, while useful, are not medical devices and should be used for general estimations only. The watch's reliance on significant sunlight for optimal battery performance might be a limitation in less sunny conditions. Additionally, at 52 grams, it is relatively lightweight, which could be a plus or minus depending on personal preference. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar's combination of rugged design, extensive battery life with solar charging, comprehensive navigation tools, and relevant fishing data make it a strong candidate for anyone looking to enhance their fishing experience.