Talking about a great catch is second nature to most fishermen and new smartphone apps have made it easier than ever to publicly and instantly share successes and the prized locations.
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But the technology is yet to be embraced by a majority of Canberra anglers, with real-time rushes to fishing hotspots yet to occur.
Canberra Anglers Association president Geoff Donkin said younger fishers were the most likely to embrace catch-sharing apps such as Fishbrain.
"Some will adopt it, probably the new generation, and particularly those who are competitive – there's a sense of Americianism and bragging about what you're catch," Mr Donkin said.
"But it depends what people want – some people are secretive, some like solitude, others like a crowd."
Fishers in Canberra region waterways have posted some impressive pictures of their Murray Cod, golden perch and large carp catches on Fishbrain, but the app is still used by a minority, with only 30 postings this year. Listings can include tackle used, fish weight and length, weather conditions and an exact location, but most pictures appear uploaded at least hours after the fish took the bait.
Ecologist Dr Bryan Pratt, who owns two fishing gear shops in Canberra, said he doubted the apps would be used to help other anglers in real time.
"When you're catching the fish the last thing in the world you want is someone joining you, unless it's your mate or your wife," Dr Pratt said.
"In my generation we'd brag about in the pub or the next fishing meeting, now you can broadcast your catch in microseconds – whether they do it in enough time to help people for the same spot is another thing."
Mr Donkin said the there was much more to finding fish than what happened a day before but apps may be of most use for those who travelled for ocean fishing.
"For us in Canberra, when we do travel quite some distance from Canberra, you don't want to be looking around in dead water, particularly when you're with children," he said.
Potential threats of overfishing in specific locations due to better information sharing was unlikely in Canberra lakes due to the native restocking, he said, but could be an issue in rivers or ocean spots if the apps took off.
