If you're a tournament director looking for software to manage your events, the options can be overwhelming. Some platforms focus on photo-verify catch-and-release formats. Others are built for traditional scale weigh-ins. A few handle the full lifecycle from registration to season standings. Here's an honest look at the top fishing tournament software platforms in 2026 and what each does best.
What to Look For in Tournament Software
Before comparing platforms, know what matters for your events:
- Registration and payments: Can anglers sign up and pay online? Can you handle walk-up entries on-site?
- Weigh-in modes: Traditional scale weigh-in, big bass, catch-photo-release, or multiple formats?
- Offline capability: Does it work at the boat ramp with no cell service?
- Season/league management: Can you track standings across a full season with divisions and groups?
- Live leaderboards: Can anglers follow results in real time?
- Pricing model: Per-angler fees, monthly subscriptions, or flat rates?
WeighBook
Best for: Directors who run traditional weigh-in tournaments and need full season/league management.
WeighBook is a fishing tournament management platform that covers the entire event lifecycle — from online registration and payment collection through digital weigh-ins, live leaderboards, and season standings. It supports any species (bass, walleye, catfish, crappie, saltwater, and more).
Standout features:
- Offline-first weigh-in: Built specifically for boat ramps with bad connectivity. Record weights offline and sync automatically when back online.
- Multiple weigh-in modes: Traditional, big bass, MC mode, one-at-a-time, and bump station queue for high-volume events.
- Full hierarchy: Tour → Division → Season → Tournament. Manage multi-division leagues with season standings and points tracking across an entire year.
- Online registration with Stripe: Anglers register and pay from their phone. Directors can also use Kiosk Mode for on-site walk-up entries.
- Pro Tournament Scales integration: Hardware integration with certified tournament scales.
Pricing: $2 per angler per tournament. No monthly fees, no subscriptions. New accounts get free credits to start.
Weighfish
Best for: Directors who want a straightforward digital scale and scoring tool.
Weighfish focuses on the weigh-in process with digital scale integration and real-time scoring. It supports both directors and anglers with separate interfaces.
Strengths: Clean interface, offline capability, direct scale integration.
Limitations: Less depth in season/league management compared to full-lifecycle platforms.
FishDonkey
Best for: Catch-photo-release tournaments and organizations focused on conservation.
FishDonkey uses a photo-verify system where anglers submit catch photos from their phone. It's popular with kayak tournaments and conservation-minded organizations.
Strengths: Large user base (170,000+ anglers), strong anti-cheating technology, sustainability focus.
Limitations: Photo-verify format only — not suited for traditional scale weigh-in tournaments.
TourneyX
Best for: Directors who want simple setup with no recurring fees.
TourneyX offers tournament creation with online registration, GPS verification, and photo scoring through their mobile app.
Strengths: No monthly fees, strong app store presence, AutoCull feature for auto-calculating best five fish.
Limitations: Primarily app-based (requires download), less comprehensive for traditional weigh-in tournaments.
Web Pro Tournament Manager
Best for: Directors who want a comprehensive desktop-style management tool.
Web Pro Tournament Manager is one of the longest-running platforms in the space, offering tournament setup, scoring, and reporting tools.
Strengths: Mature platform with extensive features, hardware integration options.
Limitations: Interface feels dated compared to newer mobile-first platforms.
CatchStat
Best for: Large-scale, prestige events and professional tournament trails.
CatchStat powers some of the most high-profile fishing tournaments in the country. It's built for large fields and broadcast-quality live scoring.
Strengths: Enterprise-grade reliability, real-time scoring at scale, used by major tournament organizations.
Limitations: Pricing and onboarding geared toward large organizations — may be overkill for local club events.
Reel Time Apps
Best for: Saltwater and billfish tournaments on iOS and Android.
Reel Time Apps specializes in native mobile apps for saltwater tournament management, with strong adoption in the billfish and offshore communities.
Strengths: Purpose-built for saltwater, native mobile apps, GPS tracking.
Limitations: Primarily saltwater-focused — freshwater directors may find fewer features for their needs.
Comparison Summary
| Platform | Offline Weigh-In | Online Registration | Season Management | Photo-Verify | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WeighBook | Yes | Yes | Full hierarchy | No | $2/angler/tournament |
| Weighfish | Yes | Yes | Basic | No | Varies |
| FishDonkey | N/A (photo) | Yes | Basic | Yes | Per-event |
| TourneyX | N/A (photo) | Yes | Basic | Yes | Per-event |
| Web Pro TM | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Credits |
| CatchStat | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Enterprise |
| Reel Time | Limited | Yes | Basic | No | Varies |
Which One Should You Choose?
The right platform depends on your format:
- Traditional weigh-in tournaments (any species): WeighBook, Weighfish, or Web Pro Tournament Manager give you the most control over scale-based scoring.
- Catch-photo-release or kayak events: FishDonkey or TourneyX are purpose-built for photo verification.
- Large professional trails: CatchStat handles the scale and complexity of major events.
- Saltwater and billfish: Reel Time Apps owns the offshore niche.
- Full league/season management: WeighBook's Tour → Division → Season → Tournament hierarchy is the deepest in the space for managing year-round competitive leagues.
Most platforms offer free trials or free credits to get started. Test a couple with a small event before committing to one for your whole season.