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Episode Show Notes
Mike Mehlmann is a product manager and angler who works with bass fishing technology and app development at Pure Fishing. In this episode, Mike reveals how he ended up working on FishBrain's AI features, why bass anglers need different tools than other species hunters, and the surprising way a simple forum post changed his career trajectory. He also breaks down what's actually happening with fish behavior when weather systems move through, why the "bite window" concept might be overblown, and how technology can help you pattern fish faster—without replacing the learning process. If you've ever wondered whether fishing apps actually work or just add noise, this conversation goes deep into what the data really shows.
Can Fishing Apps Really Help You Catch More Bass?
Fishing apps can help anglers pattern fish faster by aggregating catch data, weather conditions, and location information. Mike Mehlmann explains that the technology works best when it accelerates the learning process rather than replacing it, helping anglers identify productive patterns across different water bodies and conditions while still requiring traditional fishing knowledge and skills.
Who is Mike Mehlmann?
Mike Mehlmann is a product manager at Pure Fishing who previously worked on AI and machine learning features at FishBrain. He's an avid bass angler who combines his technology background with hands-on fishing experience to develop tools that help anglers pattern fish and make better decisions on the water.
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Shop Star brite →From Forum Post to Pure Fishing Career
Mike's path into the fishing industry wasn't through traditional channels. He was active on bass fishing forums, sharing detailed reports and insights about his time on the water. What he didn't know was that someone from Pure Fishing was watching. That person reached out, and what started as casual conversation turned into a career opportunity that would eventually lead him to work on some of the most advanced fishing technology in the industry. The story illustrates how sharing your passion and knowledge in public spaces can open doors you never anticipated. The full story of how Mike got hired starts at 2:45.
Why Bass Apps Need to Be Different
Not all fishing is the same, and Mike explains why bass anglers require completely different tools than saltwater or trout fishermen. Bass fishing is heavily location-dependent, with anglers often hitting multiple spots in a single day and needing to pattern fish across different structures and cover types. The app needs to handle this differently than something designed for offshore fishing where you might stay in one general area. Mike breaks down the specific features bass anglers actually use versus what developers think they want, and why understanding fish behavior matters more than just logging catches. The discussion about bass-specific app features and what actually matters to anglers starts at 8:30.
Hear Mike explain how AI actually works in fishing apps
What Really Happens When Weather Systems Move Through
There's a lot of folklore about barometric pressure and fishing, but Mike digs into what the data actually shows. He explains why the conventional wisdom about pre-frontal feeding frenzies might not be as universal as we think, and introduces a more nuanced view of how weather patterns affect fish behavior. The conversation touches on dissolved oxygen, water temperature changes, and how different variables interact in ways that aren't always intuitive. Mike also addresses why certain "magic" bite windows might be more about angler availability than fish biology. The detailed breakdown of weather, barometric pressure, and fish behavior starts at 15:20.
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SubscribeThe Problem with Pattern Recognition Technology
Mike gets honest about the limitations of AI in fishing. While machine learning can help identify patterns in massive datasets, there's a catch: you need quality data to train the models, and most anglers don't log enough detailed information. He discusses the challenge of getting users to input the granular details that would actually make predictive features useful, and why the technology works better as a tool to accelerate learning rather than replace it. The conversation also touches on why certain features that sound great in theory don't actually change angler behavior in practice, and what that means for the future of fishing apps. Mike's candid assessment of what AI can and can't do for anglers starts at 28:15.
Don't miss this one.
Mike brings insider perspective on fishing technology most anglers never hear
Key Takeaways
- • A forum post sharing fishing knowledge can lead to unexpected career opportunities in the fishing industry
- • Bass fishing apps need fundamentally different features than saltwater apps because of how anglers move between multiple locations in a day
- • The conventional wisdom about barometric pressure and pre-frontal feeding frenzies may be less universal than many anglers believe
- • AI and machine learning in fishing apps work best when they accelerate pattern recognition rather than trying to replace traditional fishing knowledge
- • The biggest limitation of predictive fishing technology isn't the algorithms—it's getting anglers to log detailed, quality data
- • Technology can help you learn faster, but understanding fish behavior and conditions still requires time on the water
- • Many "magic" bite windows may have more to do with when anglers are available to fish than when fish are actually most active
Final Thoughts from Tom
I really enjoyed this conversation with Mike because he brings a perspective you don't often hear—someone who's deep in the technology side of fishing but also genuinely loves being on the water. He's not trying to sell you on features that sound cool but don't actually help you catch fish. He's honest about what works, what doesn't, and why.
What struck me most was Mike's point about technology as a learning accelerator rather than a replacement for experience. Too many people think an app is going to tell them exactly where to go and what to throw, but that's not how it works. The best use of this technology is helping you recognize patterns faster, so you can apply your knowledge more effectively across different waters and conditions.
If you've ever been curious about what's actually happening behind the scenes with fishing apps, or if you want to understand fish behavior and weather patterns at a deeper level, this episode is packed with insights. Mike gets into the weeds on some of this stuff, but it's all practical and applicable. Listen to the whole thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do fishing apps actually help you catch more fish?
Fishing apps can help anglers catch more fish by accelerating pattern recognition and helping them learn from aggregated data across multiple waters. However, they work best as learning tools rather than prescriptive solutions, and still require anglers to develop traditional fishing knowledge and understanding of fish behavior.
How does barometric pressure really affect bass fishing?
According to Mike Mehlmann, the relationship between barometric pressure and bass activity may be more nuanced than conventional wisdom suggests. While weather patterns do affect fish behavior, factors like dissolved oxygen, temperature changes, and other variables interact in complex ways that aren't as simple as tracking pressure changes alone.
What makes bass fishing apps different from other fishing apps?
Bass fishing apps need to handle multiple location changes within a single fishing session, as bass anglers typically move between numerous spots targeting different structures and cover types. This requires different features than saltwater or trout fishing apps, where anglers may stay in one general area for extended periods.
Can AI predict where fish will be?
AI and machine learning can help identify patterns in fishing data, but they require quality, detailed input from users to be effective. Mike explains that the biggest limitation isn't the technology itself but getting anglers to consistently log the granular information needed to train accurate predictive models.
Who is Mike Mehlmann and what is his background?
Mike Mehlmann is a product manager at Pure Fishing who previously worked on AI and machine learning features at FishBrain. He got into the fishing industry through sharing detailed fishing reports on forums, which led to a career opportunity at Pure Fishing where he now develops technology tools for anglers.
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Mike Mehlmann — Product Manager at Pure Fishing, former FishBrain AI developer
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Mike Mehlmann
Mike Mehlmann is a product manager at Pure Fishing who previously worked on AI and machine learning features at FishBrain. An avid bass angler, Mike combines his technology expertise with hands-on fishing experience to develop tools that help anglers pattern fish and make better decisions on the water. He got his start in the fishing industry through active participation in bass fishing forums, where his detailed reports and insights caught the attention of Pure Fishing. Mike brings a unique perspective on fishing technology, understanding both the technical possibilities and the practical realities of what actually helps anglers catch more fish.
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