Missouri Angler's Solo Day on the Water Sparks App That Pairs Fishing Partners

A quiet day of fishing on Pomme de Terre Lake in Missouri has grown into an app designed to help anglers find company on the water. For John Bledsoe, the creator of Co-Angler, the best part of fishing has never been the catch. "Some of my best memories," he said, "and the best memories I have with regards to fishing, are always about the people I'm with at the time."

The idea came to Bledsoe while he was out on the lake by himself. He was feeling lonely, he said, and noticed the empty seat beside him. He wondered why he had not brought someone along, and the thought began to take shape. That same day, he paid $13 for the domain name coangler.com.

His concept was a platform where people could connect and book fishing outings together. Bledsoe said it could help those who may lack the means to get outdoors, people who need a hand loading and unloading boats, or anglers whose spouses would feel more at ease if another person were in the boat.

A chemist by profession, Bledsoe worked close to Missouri State's e-Factory. There he received advice and took part in a 10-month coding program. He then secured funding from several organizations, which helped get Co-Angler off the ground.

Luke Routh, who has fished in tournaments across the country, uses the app as a way to add enjoyment to his time on the water. "It's a great way for people to connect and meet each other," he said. He added that many outdoorsmen are good people who simply want to have fun at the lake, and that many people do not have access to one.

Routh also noted that boat owners do not have to reveal their best fishing spots when they take someone out through the app. On the day he and Bledsoe fished together, they cast randomly around the lake and, in his words, had "a heck of a time."

Bledsoe sees the app as a counterweight to online social life. "Social media has created this kind of pseudo-social connection, which isn't really real," he said. He said he is passionate about using technology to bring people together in person to fish.

Users create a profile, browse available trips, and rate their activity level and preferred techniques. They can also list the fish they hope to catch. "First and foremost, it's about human connection," Bledsoe said, describing the goal as getting people outdoors to share each other's company. He also pointed to the "natural healing properties" of being around water, outdoors and in the sun.

The app currently has more than 2,500 users, and Bledsoe says it is the only one connecting anglers in this way. Co-Angler is available in the App Store and through coangler.com. Joining is free, with optional premium features available for an added cost.