Business Challenge
The client envisioned a peer-to-peer social platform tailored to the fishing community, but faced several unique requirements:
- Users needed to be matched not just by location, but also by skill level and preferred fishing style
- Coordination for real-world meetups required chat, scheduling, and weather data integration
- Safety and trust were paramount, requiring verified profiles and community ratings
- The app had to be engaging and social, with an activity feed for catch sharing and interaction
- Geo-features such as fishing spot discovery and live conditions were essential for usability
There was no off-the-shelf solution that could handle this mix of location services, real-time communication, social features, and outdoor utility tools in a unified experience.
Solution
The client approached us with an idea to create a digital space where anglers could connect, plan outings, and build a fishing-focused community. They wanted a tool that would reduce the friction of finding like-minded fishing partners, especially for those in new areas or with irregular schedules.
We worked closely with the client to build a mobile app that supports key user flows—finding nearby anglers, chatting with them, and planning trips together. The location-based matching system takes into account proximity, preferred fishing methods, and availability to improve match quality.
Since community engagement was a core goal, we developed an activity feed where users could share photos, log catches, and interact with others. The client emphasized the need for a safe and respectful environment, so we added features like verified accounts and user ratings.
Trip planning tools include calendar scheduling, real-time notifications, and local weather conditions—all integrated into a simple user interface. The backend is designed to handle high volumes of location-based requests and user interactions, while keeping personal data secure.
Key components include:
📍 Location-Based Buddy Finder – discover anglers nearby or at favorite fishing spots
🎣 Smart Matching Algorithm – match users based on experience, gear, and fishing preferences
💬 In-App Chat & Trip Coordination – private messaging and group trip planning tools
🗺️ Interactive Fishing Map – community-rated locations and upcoming events
📸 Catch Sharing & Activity Feed – follow others, post photos, and comment on updates
📅 Trip Scheduling & Notifications – create, join, and get reminders for upcoming outings
🌦️ Weather & Water Conditions – see tides, forecasts, and best times to fish
👤 Verified Profiles & Safety Controls – profile verification, ratings, and visibility settings
Project Stages
Discovery & Planning: Defined key user journeys, including matching, trip planning, and catch sharing
UX/UI Design: Built a mobile-first, visually rich interface optimized for outdoor use
Development: Created modular, geolocation-aware components for chat, scheduling, and media sharing
Launch & User Feedback: Released MVP in two key regions with anglers’ beta testing and real-time support
Business Outcomes
- 80% of users connected with a fishing partner within the first 7 days of signup
- 60% monthly active users share catches or trip stories via the activity feed
- 90% of surveyed users said they felt safer meeting through the platform due to verified profiles
- Organic growth via community recommendations and local fishing groups
- Future-ready infrastructure to scale across new regions and expand with event management features
Technologies Used
Flutter: Cross-platform mobile development for iOS and Android with a shared codebase
Node.js + MongoDB / PostgreSQL: Real-time backend and geolocation data handling
WebSockets: In-app chat, trip updates, and live notifications
PHP: Admin tools and analytics dashboard for managing users and locations
Google Maps API: For map layers, directions, and fishing spot tagging
REST / GraphQL APIs: For external integrations and flexible content delivery
Need a Similar Solution?
Looking to build a niche social platform with location features, user verification, and real-time tools? Whether for outdoor enthusiasts, events, or hobby-based communities, we can help you launch a feature-rich mobile app tailored to your audience. Let’s talk!
