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This page began as a review of the Casio AQW101-1AV, a cheap and rugged "fishing gear" watch with a fish indicator, moon data and a thermometer. Casio has since discontinued it, and retailers now list it as no longer available, although used ones still show up online. So we have turned this review into a short guide to the fishing watches you can actually buy today, with the AQW101 as the reference point.
Quick answer: for a simple, cheap tide and moon watch, get the Casio WS-1300H. The closest modern equivalent to the AQW101's fish indicator is the Casio Pro Trek PRT-B70, which has a fishing timer. If you want GPS and a fishing activity log, look at the Garmin Instinct 3. Boat owners with Garmin electronics should consider the Garmin quatix 8.
Our picks are based on manufacturer specifications and published feature lists. We have not tested these watches over months on the water, and we don't give star ratings.
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The Casio AQW101: what made it popular
The AQW101-1AV was an analog-digital sports watch with a few features that anglers loved, at a very low price:
- Fish indicator: a "fishing mode" that showed how good the fishing time was expected to be, based on moon data.
- Moon data showing the moon age and phase for any date.
- Thermometer with a range of -10 to 60 °C (14 to 140 °F).
- 200 meter water resistance, an EL backlight, a stopwatch and a countdown timer.
Two caveats. First, the fish indicator is a prediction from moon position and time of day (solunar theory), not a measurement of anything in the water, so treat it as a rough guide. Second, a wrist thermometer is warmed by your body: for an accurate air reading, take the watch off for 20 to 30 minutes. No watch "corrects" for body heat.
If you find a new-old-stock or used AQW101 in good condition, it is still a fun budget watch. For most people, one of the current models below is a better buy.
Best fishing watches compared
| Watch | Fishing features | Power / app | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casio WS-1300H | Tide graph, moon phase | 10-year battery | Budget, simplicity |
| Casio Pro Trek PRT-B70 | Fishing timer, tide graph, moon age, compass, barometer | Battery, Bluetooth | Closest to the AQW101 idea |
| Casio G-Shock GBX-100 | Tide graph with heights, moon, sunrise and sunset | Bluetooth app sync | Tough coastal watch |
| Garmin Instinct 3 | Fishing activity, catch log, fish timers, tides via phone | Rechargeable (solar or AMOLED versions) | GPS and outdoor smartwatch |
| Garmin quatix 8 | Tides, boat data, trolling motor remote | Rechargeable | Boaters with Garmin electronics |
Our picks
Casio WS-1300H
- Tide graph and moon phase, 100 m water resistance
Simple digital watch with a tide graph, moon phase, LED light and a 10-year battery.
The WS-1300H is the easiest recommendation for anglers who just want tides and moon phase on the wrist at a low price. It has a tide graph, a moon phase indicator, 100 meter water resistance, an LED light with afterglow, dual time, a stopwatch, a countdown timer and alarms. Casio rates the battery for about 10 years.
It does not have a fish indicator or thermometer like the AQW101, and it is not a G-Shock, so it is less shock resistant. For shore and boat fishing, it covers the basics well.
Casio Pro Trek PRT-B70
- Fishing timer, tide graph, quad sensor, 200 m water resistance
Shows the best fishing times and expected likelihood of a catch, plus tides and moon age via the Casio Watches app.
The PRT-B70 is the spiritual successor to the AQW101's fish indicator. Its fishing timer shows the best fishing times for a chosen location and date, with a likelihood rating, and can sound an alarm when a good period starts. When paired with the Casio Watches app over Bluetooth, it shows tide graphs and sunrise and sunset times for about 3,300 coastal points worldwide, plus moon age.
It also has a quad sensor (compass, altitude and barometric pressure, thermometer and step counter), 200 meter water resistance and a fishing memo function that saves catch locations in the app.
Casio G-Shock GBX-100 G-Lide
- Tide graph with tide heights, moon data
G-Shock durability with tide graph, high and low tide times and heights, moon data and sunrise and sunset.
Designed for surfers, the GBX-100 works just as well for anglers on the coast. After you choose a location in the G-Shock MOVE app (about 3,300 ports), it shows a tide graph, high and low tide times, tide heights, moon data and sunrise and sunset times on a sharp, high-contrast display. It has the shock resistance you expect from a G-Shock.
Know its limits: it tracks one port at a time, shows one high and one low tide, and tide heights are not available for custom locations. Casio also notes that its tide data is for reference only, not for navigation.
Garmin Instinct 3
- Rugged GPS watch with a fishing activity
Fishing activity with catch counter and location, fish timers, tide information via a paired phone.
The Instinct 3 is a rugged outdoor smartwatch with GPS. Its fishing activity lets you log each catch, which adds to your fish count and saves the location, and set interval or end-time timers. Paired with a phone, it shows tide information for a nearby tide station, including tide height and the next high and low tides. It comes in solar and AMOLED versions.
Because it is GPS-based, you can also mark waypoints for productive spots and find your way back to the launch.
Garmin quatix 8
- 47 mm or 51 mm, AMOLED display
Marine smartwatch with tide alerts, boat data, trolling motor and chartplotter control.
The quatix 8 is Garmin's nautical smartwatch. On top of full fitness and GPS features, it shows tide change alerts, streams data such as depth, speed and heading from compatible Garmin marine electronics, works as a remote for compatible Garmin trolling motors, and gives anchor drag alerts. It has a sapphire lens, a built-in LED flashlight and battery life of up to 16 days (47 mm) or 29 days (51 mm), according to Garmin.
It is expensive, and its best features need Garmin boat electronics, so it only makes sense if you already have or plan to buy them.
How to choose a fishing watch
Tide data
For saltwater fishing, a tide graph is the most useful feature. Simple watches calculate tides from a local setting you enter; app-connected watches use tide station data, which is usually more accurate. Tide times matter a lot when you fish from shore; our guide to saltwater spinning reels covers the gear side.
Moon and solunar data
Many anglers plan trips around moon phase and solunar periods. These predictions are not guaranteed, but they are a useful planning tool alongside weather, water temperature and season. For freshwater, see our guide to the best time to fish for bass.
Water resistance
For fishing, 100 meters (10 bar) is plenty for rain, splashes and handling fish. 200 meters adds margin for swimming and wading.
Battery
Coin-cell watches like the WS-1300H run for years without charging. Smartwatches need charging every few days to weeks, though solar models extend that.
Display and light
You will check the watch at dawn, at dusk and in bright sun. Look for high contrast, large digits and a good backlight.
Extras worth having
- Barometer: many bass and walleye anglers watch pressure trends before and after fronts.
- GPS and waypoints to save good spots.
- Catch log and timers to track your day or tournament hours.
FAQ
Is the Casio AQW101 still available?
No. Casio has discontinued it, and major retailers list it as unavailable. You may still find used or old stock on auction sites.
Do fishing watches really predict when fish will bite?
No watch can know what fish are doing. Fish indicators and fishing timers use moon position and time of day, based on solunar theory. Use them as one planning tool, not a guarantee.
Is a smartwatch better than a simple tide watch?
Only if you use the extra features. A simple tide watch is cheaper, lighter and runs for years on one battery. A GPS smartwatch adds waypoints, catch logs, fitness tracking and, for some models, boat integration.
Can I rely on a watch thermometer for water temperature?
Only roughly. Take the watch off and hold it in the water for several minutes for a better reading. Your body heat affects it while you wear it.
