Merry Christmas, fellow anglers!
On this festive December 25, 2025,
I woke up to some exciting gifts under the tree, but one stood out as the perfect fishing present: the Proof Ball by Fishtechy. If you're not familiar with it yet, this little orange sphere is blowing up in the fly fishing and general angling community for good reason.
It's an AI-powered tool that lets you measure your fish's length, girth, and even estimated weight without ever taking it out of the water or handling it excessively. As someone who practices catch-and-release, this felt like a game-changer wrapped in holiday paper.
What Exactly Is the Proof Ball?
The Proof Ball is a simple, durable 1.4-inch diameter ball (usually bright orange for visibility) that pairs with the free Fishtechy app on iOS or Android.
The concept is brilliantly straightforward: Place the ball next to your landed fish (ideally while it's still in the net or water for minimal stress), snap a side-profile photo or video with your phone's camera, and upload it to the app when you're back in service. The app's AI uses the ball as a known reference scale to calculate precise measurements in seconds.
No more fumbling with tape measures in the wind, no hanging fish on scales that could harm them, and no more "fish tales" exaggeration debates with your buddies – hence the name "Proof Ball"!
Why It's Perfect for Modern Anglers
- Fish-Friendly: Reduces handling time dramatically, which is huge for fish health and survival rates in catch-and-release scenarios.
- Accurate and Verifiable: The AI crunches the pixels against the ball's fixed size for reliable data. Users (including some pros and even NOAA field testers) report it's spot-on when used correctly – ball in the same plane as the fish, good lighting, etc.
- Extra Features: The app auto-logs catches with details like location, weather, water conditions, and more. You can share verified measurements, join tournaments, or contribute to citizen science for fisheries management.
- Portable: It's tiny, lightweight, and some versions have an NFC chip for easy registration.
It's especially popular in the fly fishing world, where keeping trout wet and healthy is paramount, but it works for any species.
My First Impressions
Straight out of the box, the Proof Ball feels sturdy and well-made. Mine is the v2 with the NFC tag – super easy to register by tapping it to my phone. I haven't hit the water yet (blame the holiday feasts), but I'm itching to test it on my next trip. From demo videos and reviews I've seen, it looks incredibly intuitive.
Of course, like any tech, it's not perfect – accuracy depends on proper photo technique, and you need internet to process uploads (though there's a manual offline mode). Some skeptics online call it a gadget for "chronically online fishermen," but hey, if it helps prove that 20-incher without stressing the fish, I'm all in!
Final Thoughts
If you're shopping for a fishing buddy (or hinting for your own late Christmas gift), the Fishtechy Proof Ball is innovative, practical, and promotes better fishing ethics. Thanks to whoever slipped this under my tree – you nailed it!
Check it out at fishtechy.com, your local fly shop, or on Amazon. Tight lines in 2026, everyone! What fishing gadgets did you get this Christmas? Drop a comment below!
On Amazon (#ad #amazon #founditonamazon)
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