Best Fishing Watches Reviewed – High Waterproofing, Built For The Water

Best Fishing Watches Reviewed – High Waterproofing, Built For The Water

Fishing is an excellent hobby to pick up regardless of where you are, but the experience can often be hampered if you’re not prepared with the right accessories and gear.

That’s why we brought you our take on the best fishing watches. We want to make it easy for you to pick the right one for your needs.

Here’s The Best Fishing Watch, Backed By 25+ Hours Of Research

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk

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Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk
  • Modern, pilot-inspired Promaster timepieces equipped for professional...
  • Dual Time (Second Time Zone), Date
  • Silver-Tone Stainless Steel

Why is it better?

  • Beautiful appearance
  • Multiple chronographic features
  • Affordable

5 Best Watches For Fishing

With that in mind, let’s now take a closer look at our top picks.

Let’s dive into the specifics and review each watch individually. You can use the list below to jump and review specific models, or you can read along and go through all the information.

  1. Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk Fishing Watch
  2. Casio PRO Trek Silicone Fishing Watch
  3. Suunto Traverse Alpha Fishing Watch
  4. Casio G-Shock Mudmaster Fishing Watch
  5. Timex Intelligent Quartz Fishing Watch

Best Overall: Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk Fishing Watch

Sale
Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk
  • Modern, pilot-inspired Promaster timepieces equipped for professional...
  • Dual Time (Second Time Zone), Date
  • Silver-Tone Stainless Steel

Up first is the Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk Fishing Watch, a beautifully constructed watch that makes an excellent fishing accessory but also an impressive everyday watch.

This classy watch is constructed with 42mm stainless steel and the dial window is made with durable mineral material.

This watch features a Japanese quartz movement and a dual-time analogue display with a date window.

PROS

  • Beautiful appearance
  • Multiple chronographic features
  • Affordable
  • Small scala with large numerals
  • Pilot’s slide rule dial ring
  • Date window at 3 o’clock

CONS

  • Heavy

The watch is made to be suitable for professional marine activities thanks to its 200m water resistance and the luminous hand markers help with visibility during low-light situations.

It also contains a hand low-charge warning to help you ensure that your fishing watch stays running.

Picking the right fishing watch sometimes means compromising on other features.

We mentioned that fishing watches can come with many unique features that make it a helpful accessory for the hobby, but what if you just want a sturdy waterproof watch that can also double as a regular everyday watch?

That’s where this Citizen watch shines; it’s a beautiful timepiece that can go wherever you go.

We recommend this watch to anyone that wants a beautifully constructed watch that can be durable enough to take on fishing trips.

If you’re just a hobbyist and don’t plan on learning how tide cycles and moon phases can impact fishing, then it’s a good choice given that you can use it for many different purposes.

However, if you plan on upping your game then you’ll want to look for another option.

A beautifully crafted timepiece that works great as an all-purpose watch that can be taken on fishing trips.

It lacks crucial features that make it a truly fantastic fishing watch, but it makes up for it in reliability and style.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

  • Window Material: Mineral
  • Display: Analog
  • Case: Stainless steel
  • Band: Metal
  • Water Resistant: 660 ft

EXTRA FEATURES

  • Water-resistant to 200 meters
  • Weighs 15 ounces

Casio PRO Trek Silicone Fishing Watch

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This solar-powered fishing watch comes with a plethora of useful features that make it a truly unique and unforgettable fishing watch, but let’s take a deeper look under the surface to find out just how good it really is.

One of the first features that stand out for the PRO TREK watch is that it’s powered by solar, making it perfect for a range outdoor activities.

It’s created with very durable materials and smart engineering that is quite resistant to low temperatures.

PROS

  • Watch face easy to read
  • Great battery life
  • Comfortable band
  • Accurate sensors
  • Low-temperature resistant
  • Full auto-calendar to 2099

CONS

  • Steep learning curve

The construction also makes it function in water up to a depth of 100m. And the band is made of silicon, so you wont have to worry about cracking leather, or corroded metals.

The watch face is made from Neobrite mineral glass and features a wealth of useful tools.

This includes a digital compass, altimeter, thermometer, barometer, daily alarms, timers, hourly time signal and a calendar.

It also features an LED light and power indicators so you can check on the charge level.

Casio’s PRO TREK solar powered watch is a professional fisherman’s dream.

It provides fantastic readability thanks to Casio’s attention to detail and navigation around the features is easy and can be calibrated.

The design of the watch itself is beautiful and classy, but it still comes with the sturdy qualities that you would expect from a fishing watch.

The added features such as the compass, barometer, altimeter and thermometer will make your fishing life a lot easier, but keep in mind that there is a learning curve to using these features and also operating the watch.

You can expect to take around 30 minutes to an hour to get to grips with the menus and you may need to refer back to the manual now and then, but once you get over the initial hump everything is intuitive and simple to work with.

Comes with more features than most other fishing watches, but it doesn’t come with a learning curve.

Recommended for professional anglers and guides that are looking to take their fishing to the next level.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

  • Window Material: Polished
  • Display: Analog & Digital
  • Case: Stainless steel
  • Band: Silicone
  • Water Resistant: 330 ft

EXTRA FEATURES

  • Solar powered
  • Auto hand home position correction

Suunto Traverse Alpha Fishing Watch

Suunto Traverse Alpha Fishing Watch
  • Features a rugged, knurled stainless steel bezel, durable water...
  • Suunto's automatic shot detection technology keeps track of when and...
  • Gps tracks your path, helping you find your way back using the...

The Suunto Traverse Alpha is a watch designed from the ground up to be used for fishing and hunting.

It comes with some very unique features and a design that is special to the Suunto brand, but is it worth your time and money?

Made with durable and rugged stainless steel, the Suunto Traverse Alpha is a sturdy outdoor watch that also features water resistance up to 100m.

PROS

  • Extremly durable
  • Suprising amount of functions
  • Fantastic build quality
  • Automatic shot detection
  • A red backlight face
  • GPS/GLONASS satellite systems

CONS

  • High price

There’s a built-in flashlight, Bluetooth connectivity for incoming call display, vibration alerts and even a red backlight option for looking at the watch with night vision goggles.

One of the most important features is the built-in GPS tracker that can be used to map your activity, and there’s a location-based moon phase calendar that helps you pick the perfect time to go fishing.

It also follows weather changes thanks to its barometric pressure graph and storm alarms.

At first, the Suunto Traverse Alpha can seem like a regular smartwatch with a fancy display–but it’s so much more than that.

The Suunto Traverse Alpha is one of the most innovative fishing watches available thanks to its plethora of fishing-related features such as point of interest mapping and location-based moon phase calendar.

It’s made to be a modern alternative to regular fishing watches and the features are second to none in terms of practicality and ease of use.

However, since it’s such a small device it can be difficult for the GPS to catch up, meaning you will occasionally experience inaccurate information from the GPS-enabled features.

In addition, the companion app to transfer data to and from the watch can be finicky at times.

An innovative and durable fishing watch with unique features, but can often be difficult to work with if you’re not willing to put in the time to learn all of the software-related features it offers.

However, once you come to grips with it, it’s an excellent multipurpose watch that will prove to be indispensable for the hard-core outdoors fanatic.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

  • Window Material: Mineral
  • Display: Digital
  • Case: Glass Fiber w/ Stainless Steel
  • Band: Nylon Textile
  • Water Resistant: 330 ft

EXTRA FEATURES

  • Compatible with iPhone and Android smartphone
  • Water resistant to 100 meters

Casio G-Shock Mudmaster Fishing Watch

Casio G-Shock Mudmaster Fishing Watch
  • Twin Sensor
  • Shock Resistant
  • Mud Resistant

Casio G-Shock is a well-known brand of durable watches that are capable of resisting the harshest conditions that you can put them through, so how does this outdoor-centric variety compare to the rest of the lineup?

The Mudmaster G-Shock is resistant to impacts and mud and is resistant in water up to 200m.

It includes basic functions for fishing such as a compass and thermometer, and there’s a backlight LED to help you see the watch during low light conditions.

PROS

  • Great toughness features
  • Everlasting battery
  • Premium design
  • Nifty built-in sensors
  • Digital compass
  • Face is illuminated

CONS

  • Bulky on smaller wrists

You can set five daily alarms and it also has an hourly signal option.

The G-Shock Mudmaster from Casio is the perfect outdoors version of the regular G-Shocks that you might see.

It provides excellent resistance against rough conditions, shocks and water which are all common when out on a fishing trip.

This Fishing watch certainly meets the high standards of the G-Shock brand and comes with useful features like a compass and a thermometer.

It’s a step down from the other fishing watches that offer more features like a barometer and a flashlight, making it a good option for hobbyists that spend a lot of time outdoors but not a top-tier option for professional guides or really serious enthusiasts.

There was a batch of G-Shock Mudmaster watches that would occasionally have mismatched digital and analog timers, but this has now been fixed so if you do get a bad watch, make sure you speak to Casio and have it replaced.

An excellent all-purpose watch with some added features for fishing. The G-Shock brand always creates quality products that are reliable and will last you a long time.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

  • Window Material: Mineral
  • Display: Analog & Digital
  • Case: Stainless Steel
  • Band: Resin
  • Water Resistant: 660 ft

EXTRA FEATURES

  • World time features include 31 times zones
  • Timer features include a countdown timer

Timex Intelligent Quartz Fishing Watch

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Timex Intelligent Quartz Fishing Watch
  • Adjustable black 16mm silicone strap fits up to 8-inch wrist...
  • Black dial with date window at 6 o'clock; compass markings
  • Tide tracker counts down to high or low tide; thermometer measures air...

The Timex Intelligent Quartz watch has all of the fishing-related features that you could ask for, but also an incredibly rugged and sporty design and a lower price point than alternatives.

Could this be one of the best fishing watches out there?

This watch features a sporty design with red accents and it’s made with 45mm black ion-plated stainless steel to ensure durability.

PROS

  • Compass direction and current tides or temperature
  • Tough stainless-steel case is water-resistant to 100 m (330 ft.)
  • INDIGLO® night light illuminates the display for easy use at night
  • Adjustable declination angle for accuracy
  • Tide tracker counts down to high or low tide
  • Digital thermometer with analog display

CONS

  • Not long lasting

It has a plethora of tools such as a digital compass, thermometer, air/water temperature sensors, tide tracker and also an indigo night-light for low light conditions.

The Timex Intelligent Quartz watch comes in an exciting package with plenty of useful features.

The red accents make it stand out as a sporty watch and it looks amazing enough to use as an everyday timepiece.

The included compass, thermometer and various temperature sensors make it a great watch to keep track of information that is useful for fishing, and the tide tracker can be quite useful.

One of the main concerns with watches that cram so many features is how to actually access said features especially when it’s primarily analogue.

It takes a bit to get used to and learn all of the features and how to use them, but once you grow accustomed to it, it’s a versatile watch that fits many purposes.

A striking watch that packs plenty of features and a durable design. It has a slight learning curve (like other watches in its class) but the fair asking price more than makes up for it.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

  • Window Material: Mineral
  • Display: Analog
  • Case: Stainless Steel
  • Band: Silicone
  • Water Resistant: 330 ft

EXTRA FEATURES

  • QuickDate feature
  • Stainless steel case with black finish

Fishing Watch FAQ

Fishing Watch

WHAT MAKES A WATCH A FISHING WATCH?

There are 7 factors that go into making a watch a fishing watch. They are:

  • Ruggedness – fishing is a hardy pastime. It is not unusual that your wrist is going to be banging, smashing and clanging into things. Your everyday watch probably won’t cut it. You need a fishing watch that is up to the task.
  • Water resistance – you need a fishing watch that is going to keep doing its thing without interruption if it gets engulfed by a wave. You will need at least a 10 ATM watch to handle the rigors of fishing.
  • Easy clean and smell-free – that means no leather or nylon. Instead, a fishing watch strap should be stainless steel or silicone.
  • Bright face – this will allow you to see the watch face under sunny conditions.
  • Tidal charts and moon phase indicators – these features can make it more likely that you’ll return home with a decent catch.
  • A barometer – barometric pressure is directly related to fish feeding behavior. Having the data on your wrist puts you at a serious advantage.

ARE GPS WATCHES RELIABLE?

GPS watches certainly can be reliable. Of course, there are also GPS watches that are quite unreliable.

It all depends on the quality of the brand and the amount of money you wish to spend. Getting and keeping a GPS signal requires a high amount of battery power.

So, it pays to check the battery quality on any GPS watch you plan to buy. As with most things, the more you pay, the better quality battery you will get.

GPS watches that have the ability to withstand the elements will help to ensure that your GPS watch will be more reliable.

Look for a GPS with a water rating of at least 5 ATM.

WHAT IS THE OPTIMAL WATER RESISTANCE RATING IN FISHING WATCHES?

Watch Water Resistance

The water resistance rating of a fishing watch simply means that it has a solid build that will not allow water to get in.

This is in no way sufficient for a fishing watch. What you need is a watch that is waterproof.

A waterproof watch will have airtight construction, a solid lens, and plate backing.

Waterproofing of watches is measured in ATMs. Your watch will provide you with its ATM rating on the back plate.

The suggested rating for an ATM fishing watch is 10 ATM. This will allow you to go down to 100 meters or three hundred and thirty feet, making it suitable for light diving.

Of the ATM rating is not listed on the watch casing then it is not waterproof, regardless of what the marketing says about it.

WHY DO YOU NEED A FISHING WATCH?

A fishing watch is far more robust than a standard watch. When you are out on the water, there are all sorts of hazards that may result in your watch getting banged around.

The faced, strap and casing of a fishing watch will more readily withstand these challenges.

Fishing watches also provide you with specific features that can enhance your experience on the water and make it more likely that you will come home with some fish.

This includes a barometer that gives you the barometric reading while you are out on the water.

This is an important factor in determining where and when the fish are biting.

A good fishing watch will also provide you with up-to-date details about the tide charts and moon phases.

All of these factors make fishing watch a smart choice for those who love to drop a line!

HOW TO WASH/CLEAN YOUR WATCH AFTER SEA FISHING?

Cleaning fishing watch with cotton cloth

Cleaning your fishing watch is a bit more tricky than cleaning an everyday watch. Begin by using a cotton cloth to clean the bezel of the watch.

You should not clean the watch with a microfiber cloth, as the fibers can easily get stuck in the bezel.

Take off the band to clean the gunk from the outer fixtures of the watch. Use cotton buds to get into nooks and crannies.

To clean the lens you should use an eye lens cloth. This will do the best job of removing fingerprints and dust.

Be diligent about removing grime from your watch every time you wear it on a fishing trip. If you don’t, little bits of debris can work their way into the inner parts of the watch.

In addition to impacting on the performance of the watch, this may also compromise its waterproof ability.

Conclusion

The best fishing watch on the current market is the Casio Eco-Drive ProMaster Nighthawk.

This is a beautiful classy watch that is also extremely functional.

Investing in the ProMaster Nighthawk will not only have you telling the time on the water but it will also increase your chances of bringing home some dinner!

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