A fresh application is aiding fishing aficionados in the UAE to pinpoint prime fishing locations and showcase their hauls. The app, dubbed Elite Fishin', has seen a surge in popularity, with a minimum of 30 fresh registrations daily.
"Fishing is nearly an obsession in this region," shared Rajiv Ramnath, the app's creator, in an interview with Khaleej Times. "This app is fostering a community where enthusiasts can exchange advice, secrets, and share their triumphs. It's akin to a social network for fishing."
Fishing stands as a highly competitive activity in the UAE, hosting numerous prestigious tournaments nationwide. Earlier this year, the Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish championship awarded over Dh1 million in prizes to participants. Ramnath secured third place in the 2023 Fujairah Offshore Fishing Tournament by catching a 285kg blue marlin.
Ramnath noted that fishing is one of the world's fastest-growing sports, predicting it will surpass golf in popularity by 2030. "However, in this area, the sport lacks structure and readily accessible information. I constantly seek to connect with fellow enthusiasts and learn from them, but it's always been challenging to locate them. That's when I identified a market gap."
With his background in technology and marketing, Ramnath developed the Elite Fishin' app. "Currently, the app offers live weather updates, advice, chat groups, and details on competitions," he explained. "Users can also display their catches and share pins for new fishing spots. I aim to learn from these individuals and impart my knowledge on the behavioral patterns of specific fish species."
Ramnath described the sport as highly engrossing. "I fish at least twice a week year-round, regardless of the weather," he said. "I only vacation in coastal regions. Occasionally, when I discover fellow businessmen who share my passion for fishing, we drop everything and head out. That's how compelling it is."
Growing up in Sharjah, Ramnath's first fishing experience came at eight years old, accompanying his uncle who worked on an oil rig. "My uncle loved fishing whenever he returned home," he recalled. "I joined him, and that's how I became enamored with the sport. People often overlook how thrilling and delightful catching your first fish can be."
Later, he began joining his Emirati neighbor on fishing trips. "His family has fished for generations," he said. "He owned a boat and would take me out weekly. He taught me about various fish species, their behaviors, and how to pinpoint a good location."
Despite taking over his parents' marketing business and becoming professionally occupied, Ramnath always made time for fishing. "In 2009, I purchased my first boat and started learning and experimenting on my own," he said. "I've fished in numerous parts of the world, including the Indian Ocean and various Southeast Asian regions. Now, I'm looking forward to my son turning three so I can start taking him fishing with me."
