8 Best Fishing Watches (Review) in 2020

You know the best watch brands, and Suunto is high-ranking on that list. When it comes to the outdoors, they won some high spots on our hiking watches buying guide, and absolutely took the cake this time around. You get an excellent resolution, and a fairly anti-reflective surface to prevent glares wreaking havoc on your readability.

They packed the features in. Not only do you get an integrated compass feature, but you can press one of the three crown buttons to illuminate the case. When you’re out on the boat in the early, early morning, that little bit of visibility can be absolutely crucial. You won’t have to start up a camping lantern, you won’t scare off the fish.

Casio is best-known as one of the most inexpensive watch brands on the planet, but that’s not the only thing that makes them a viable option for a great fishing watch. Their Pro Trek series has everything you could need to keep you fully aware, alert and informed out on the water. Control your environment, master everything around you, all with a data-gathering watch with an anti-glare mineral crystal dial window.

You’ll get an integrated compass feature that works alongside the barometric pressure detector, as well as the altimeter (which comes in handy if you’re picking a lake out in the middle of New Hampshire to fish). Everything is designed to work in tandem with as little delay as possible, all displayed in glorious resolution on this small screen.

Suunto’s done it again. They really put their focus on making great hiking and fishing watches and slay it when it comes to the outdoors. Crafted from textured stainless steel, this glorious case and bezel are the epitome of rugged design, ready to stand up to the elements and the hell you put it throughout there in the wilderness. The strongest element of Suunto Traverse Alpha is the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal dial window, which stands up against the roughest scrapes and scratches, keeping the dial window impeccable. And immaculate.

Then you get into the features that really make it a good fishing watch. For one, they went with a nylon band, because nobody wants bacteria sitting under their leather strap and creating an odor. Nylon is the perfect solution, as well as the fair 330 ft of water resistance. It’s already built with accidental drops and frequent submersion in mind, so you won’t have to worry about damages while you’re reaching into the water and pulling that bass off the line.

They sure do make one sexy watch, am I right? Look at it. On top of how it looks, Suunto Core fits comfortably on your wrist. Plastic bracelets traditionally have a bad reputation for catching your arm hairs and being fragile against outdoor conditions, which is where Suunto started when they designed this model, working into the case. Comfortable, flexible, doesn’t catch any stray arm hairs, and adjustable to fit any user.

You’ll also get a weather trend graph, and that includes a sunrise and sunset detector. If you’re heading out for a few days, you can check the weather forecast before you leave on that fishing trip, but it’s not guaranteed. Weather changes, and having a detector on your wrist, when you’re far away from cell phone service, can be a serious one-u on Mother Nature.

Simple, clear and to the point, the SunRoad fishing watch comes with a touch bit of everything you need, while keeping the costs low Starting with a thick canvas band with a triple buckle closure, you’re decked out in comfort, connecting to the stainless steel watch case. A mineral dial window showcases the high-resolution digital display beautifully, and it’s resistant to light scratching, but don’t push it to the limits.

In that display, you can view your barometric pressure, altitude, and utilize the main attraction of the weather indicator to adjust your plans accordingly. Three crowns each have their own designated uses, including lighting the back of the case for early morning viewing. It all comes wrapped up in an impressive gift box, making this an excellent gift for the fisherman on your list. The SunRoad is a straightforward fishing watch: low cost, clear-cut features, a great pick for the minimalist fisher.

Timex is one of the leading inexpensive watch brands that pack in more value than the price tag suggests. They want to be your only watch brand (even though we know it’s impossible to just pick one) because they’re put together everything you can expect to find on more expensive models. Flip through the settings of your Timex watch to find the chronograph, timer and alarm features, giving you a few different things to work with while you’re exploring your watch.

Everything is displayed in decent resolution. While Timex Expedition Shock XL Watch is not as high-def as some of the other models we’ve listed, it gets the job done without being grainy. Your resin strap comfortably sits on your wrist, keeping that 48mm stainless steel case right where it’s supposed to be. Top-quality construction, as well as a ton of under-the-hood features that really make Timex a force to be reckoned with.

You can’t mention Timex without also mentioning Casio. These two brands are the epitome of, and two of the only brands that represent immeasurable quality for an insanely low cost. Casio comes in at under eighty, with an impressive design and build. First of all, you’ll be wrapping the stainless steel bracelet around your wrist, leading to the 47mm stainless steel case. The whole thing has a much more regal look, especially when you look at the high resolution of the display.

Steel and water usually don’t mix, which is exactly why they threw their impressive watertight design skills to use. You’re A-okay for up to 330 ft of water resistance, making it perfect for absolutely everything you’ll need to take care of on the boat or by the lake. If it’s far too early in the morning, you might be worried about the black case back: boom, electroluminescent lighting keeps the display perfectly visible.

Last but not least, Suunto strikes again. Their Traverse Alpha series dominates this space, yet they still find a way to make each and every watch their own unique item. This one comes with a thick nylon strap and fixed buckle, making it simple to slip on, and keeps the watch face exactly where it’s supposed to be. That watch case is made of stainless steel, ion-coated with a textured finish to give it that rugged aesthetic.

You get the full force of GPS + GLONASS to master your environment beyond the shadow of a doubt. Route navigation to and from your favorite spots has never been so simple, and utilizing this watch allows you to find new fishing holes without getting turned-around in the woods. Use the digital compass and activity tracker in unison to get a better feel for what treks to and from your spots will take out of you, and plan ahead accordingly.