I'm really liking this game - and I've played about every fishing game out there! Works best with the Move controller.
I've read that the Move is the optimal controller to use with this game, not the Rapala fishing controller. In my experience, I agree. There's been many negative reviews about the Rapala controller breaking and having poor control. The Move provides near flawless control over casting and lure movement. You don't have the experience of turning the handle of an actual reel (it's push-button instead), but with all the extreme left-and-right movement involved when reeling in a fish, that's a good thing. Which leads me to...
The method of reeling in a fish is a bit overkill and unrealistic. The fish always go to the far left and the far right ad nauseum, and you are required to keep the fish centered on-screen before being able to reel. Too much emphasis is put on keeping the fish 'centered' instead of other factors: line strength/tension, rod movement when fish jump, etc. Your arms will get a workout using the Move controller with all the flailing around you'll be doing!
As with most fishing games, there's no option to use an over-water (overhead) view when working your lures. It's all underwater. If you're looking for a true fishing simulation, this isn't it. It's very much an arcade-style game with elements of a simulation. I wish the game wasn't so strict about how to work the lures. If you don't do what the game wants, the fish will rarely bite. In real-life, the fish don't care if you don't reel in a lure EXACTLY according to a particular pattern (left 2 seconds, up 2 seconds, down 2 seconds, repeat repeat repeat... boring). You can change the lure retrieval techniques, however.
Graphics and sound are excellent. The opening video looks grainy and pixelated, giving a bad first impression. But upon playing the game again and again, I appreciate the amazing level of detail put into the game graphics. It's not 1080p, but it still looks great! The fish look and act very lifelike and the lakes come alive on-screen. All the little things add up to an enjoyable experience: the water drops that hit the screen, the angler expressions and animations, the weather effects, the boating animations, and so forth. The music is engaging; not too rock, not too country. I personally prefer to disable the music to enjoy a more simulation-type experience.
Lure selection is much better than prior Rapala games. It's all Rapala-only, though. Multiple rod/reel combinations and boats to choose from also.
Lake selection is very good. Each has its own unique design and is very detailed. There's plenty of fish to catch.
There are lots of species of fish. Largemouth bass, walleye, catfish, pike, sturgeon, snakeheads... Amazing.
Unlockable trophies, tournament play, and tons of challenges give this game tremendous replay value.
Lots of informative how-tos and fishing tips make this game a gem in any serious fisherman's collection.
The more I play this game, the more I enjoy it. I still haven't found a true fishing simulation, but this is a very fun option in the meantime :)