Gear Review: BassForecast

What is it?

BassForecast

What sets it apart?

This mobile app, available for Android and iOS devices, focuses solely on black bass fishing to forecast promising periods based on feeding behavior. Because bass favor particular water temperature ranges and environmental conditions, the app analyzes an array of variables to dial in predictions relevant for bass anglers.

Using temperature transfer reports from water engineers and bass feeding behavior research reports from fishery biologists, the Texas-based company developed a proprietary system they call the BassForecast Rating (BFR). Powered by AccuWeather, US Primetimes and Weather Bank, all relevant past, current and forecast environmental factors are combined to produce a BFR from 1 (least active) to 10 (most active) for each day over the next 10 days for any location in North America.

How do I use it?

An invaluable planning tool, the BFR is calculated at the user’s current GPS position or location of choice for 10 days in advance. Each time you open the app, it automatically adjusts for any forecast fluctuation. Alerts identify promising days up to 10 days in advance.

Adjusting for seasonal hours of daylight, wind speed and direction, moon phases, peak feeding periods and sky conditions, the BFR even factors in atmospheric frontal conditions. Such barometric variances can greatly impact bass feeding — more active on falling pressure; less active on the rise.

How much?

Free 7-day trial with optional $30/annual subscription.

More Information:

BassForecast

Angler’s insight:

Knowing what you’re up against on a given day proves intrinsic to gameplan formulation. Even if it’s a crappy set of conditions, fish will feed at some point, so understanding when that crack of time will occur is critical. Moreover, the ability to identify promising periods down the road provides a real-life planning tool for scheduling vacation days or skipping the lake and shortening the honey-do list.

Features like sun/moon calendars offer insights on everything from spawning activity to tidal current strength, while the Catch Log enables you to capture key details that’ll benefit future efforts.