Fish Rules – an innovative new app for fishermen

For Immediate Release

Jupiter, FL - A new iPhone app has hit the App Store and is causing quite a buzz among fishermen. Fish Rules 2012 Edition uses the brains of an iPhone to significantly simplify recreational saltwater fishing regulations.

By using your phone’s GPS and calendar, Fish Rules shows only the regulations you need. With Fish Rules on your iPhone you have recreational saltwater fishing regulations for federal and state waters from North Carolina to Texas. Just a glance at the app you’ll know if your fish is in season, how many you can keep, how big they have to be, and more.

Fish Rules was developed and field tested by real fishermen, so it is both intuitive and functional. The app works with or without a cell signal! So, you always have the most up to date regulations at your fingertips.

Fish Rules includes a functional fishing log, and it is fully integrated with Facebook. With this app you can take a photo, log your fish, and post it to Facebook in just seconds. It has never been easier to verify your catch is legal to harvest and then brag about it on Facebook.

Fish Rules includes crisp illustrations and great photos so you can accurately identify your catch. Swipe an image to see identification clues and additional photos.

Fish Rules staff continuously incorporate regulation updates into the app, so the app is always up-to-date.
Fish Rules 2012 Edition is available in the App Store for $0.99. 

About Fish Rules App
Fish Rules App is an iPhone app for recreational saltwater anglers fishing in state or federal waters from North Carolina to Texas. Fish Rules App was founded in 2011 by Albrey Arrington, Ph.D. and Rick Blalock, a highly credentialed app architect. Learn more at http://www.fishrulesapp.com.

Where did you get the idea for Fish Rules?  “We created Fish Rules to solve a clear problem - anglers struggle to understand complex fishing regulations. I am convinced that fishermen want healthy fish populations, and I know good regulations are critical to maintaining our fish stocks.” said Dr. Albrey Arrington, Co-Founder, Fish Rules, LLC. “But, if people don’t understand the rules they can’t obey them. Rick and I teamed up to simplify regulations using the full functionality of a smartphone.”

How long have you been working on Fish Rules? “We began working on the app in June, 2011. We tested the first version of Fish Rules on August 24, 2011 – nine months ago. The next day we created Fish Rules, LLC.” said Albrey Arrington.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced? “You mean besides starting our business during a tropical storm and with almost no money? Seriously, we work really well together and we’ve had a lot of fun building and testing the app.” said Albrey Arrington.

What is your favorite feature in the app? “The geolocation feature is my favorite. This feature allows the app to know where you are and to show you regulations relevant to your current location. It took a lot of work to program that function, and like any really good idea it seems so simple and straight forward now that it is done.” said Albrey Arrington. “We really struggled with that feature, but we tested it to death and it works great. It is definitely my favorite feature.”

What was your favorite part about developing the app? “My absolute favorite part was that I had a totally legitimate excuse to go fishing! As a child my Mom would take my brothers and me fishing at Dubois Park. We could spend all day there with a tub of frozen shrimp and a sack of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I just really love fishing, so, it has been fun to have a ‘reason’ to go fishing.” said Albrey Arrington.

What kind of feedback are you receiving now that Fish Rules is in the App Store? “We have received such positive feedback – it is so encouraging. Complete strangers are commenting how much they like the app in online fishing forums and on our Facebook page. Our reviews in the app store have been so positive. It is just great to spend so much time working on something and then see people use and appreciate the product you developed.” said Albrey Arrington.
Can our readers contribute photos for use in the app? “Absolutely! We’re always looking for great fish pictures to add into the app. For best results, photos should be landscape (horizontal) with the fish occupying the majority of the screen. Be sure the entire fish is visible in the photo. People can email the photos to photos@fishrulesapp.com.” said Rick Blalock.

FEATURES

•  Regulations are continuously updated throughout the edition year (2012).
•  App is able to run entirely on your device. i.e., you don’t need a cell signal for it to work.
•  Location Filter: Use your phone's built in GPS or manually select your fishing spot to identify which regulations apply.
•  Record harvested and released fish in an easy-to-use Fish Log
•  Seamlessly post pictures of your best catches to Facebook.
•  Maintain your fishing license data within the app.
•  Beautiful illustrations and real-life photos are provided for regulated species to improve your ability to accurately identify your catch.

SALTWATER RECREATIONAL REGULATIONS for

•  South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Atlantic federal waters)
•  Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf of Mexico federal waters)
•  North Carolina state marine waters
•  South Carolina state marine waters
•  Georgia state marine waters
•  Florida state marine waters
•  Alabama state marine waters
•  Mississippi state marine waters
•  Louisiana state marine waters
•  Texas state marine waters

Answers to the most common fishing regulations are provided in an intuitive, at-a-glance format:

•  What is the bag limit and/or vessel limit for the fish I just caught?
•  What species are prohibited?
•  Am I allowed to harvest this fish today?
•  When does season open or close for a particular species?
•  When are circle hooks necessary?
•  When is a dehooking device necessary?
•  When is a venting tool necessary?
•  How do I report the landing or a Highly Migratory Species?