| So you want to be a fisherman? Fishing is a mini-game that allows you to catch fish, which can be used with the cooking secondary skill. You can also catch fish that cannot be eaten but are instead useful for other Professions. You can even catch equipment and funny items. Fishing isn't for everyone. You'll discover that it requires a lot of patience and time to build your skill level up to the maximum level. Fishing is the only trade skill that you can't do while exploring and killing monsters. Since you're basically standing around, you're not gaining experience or other loot. So this development can put your leveling behind, unlike some other Professions. Fishing is great for people who just want to relax and chat while playing. For those who enjoy a calm, relaxing way to play the game while finding useful items, fishing is the cat's meow.
Getting Started
First, you need to find a fishing trainer. Fishing trainers are usually located next to a lake or stream. If you see an NPC standing near the water, he's likely a fishing trainer or merchant. Ask around and people can help lead you to the fishing trainer. Once you have learned fishing, you need to go find yourself a fishing pole!
Fishing Poles
After you have trained in fishing, you need to go buy a fishing pole. Fishing poles can be purchased from merchants who sell items required for Professions ("trade merchants"). Ask other people where to find one, if you need help. After using your initial Fishing Pole, you can find better ones out there in the world. Check the Auction House for poles.
The Fishing Bobber Game
Once you have made your cast, a fishing bobber will appear. Move your mouse over the fishing bobber, which should reveal the standard loot/interaction icon.
You must now wait until the fishing bobber moves and you see a splash. Fishing requires patience. It's not for everybody. A timer will appear and begin counting down after you cast. The timer indicates the length of your current cast. After the timer is up, you'll have to cast again. Right-click on the bobber as soon as possible after the bobber moves. The game portion involves timing it right so that your right-click will result in the fish being caught and not getting away.
If you are successful, you will receive a loot box and you'll be able to catch the fish. If you are not successful a message will inform you that the fish got away.
The splash/hook may occur at different times along the timing bar. Sometimes the splash/hook appears right before the time is up, requiring you to click quickly before the fishing operation is canceled. As you fish more, you will likely become better at clicking at the right time.
Sometimes the bobber doesn't bob at all during the fishing period. Just cast again.
"No fish are hooked"
This means you clicked on the fishing bobber at the wrong time. Try again.
"Your fish got away!"
This means you are fishing in an area that is difficult for your skill level. If you receive this message a lot or all of the time, you need to go to a lower level fishing area. If you only receive this message part of the time, you're in the right area to gain skill-ups. You can reduce this from happening by getting a better fishing pole, applying powerful bait, getting a fishing enchant or item, or by raising your skill (which these items do).
Fishing Areas
The area (region) you're in is listed in the top right corner of your screen and will determine what fish are available to be caught. The first place you should fish is near the starting area for your race. If you try to start off in a more difficult fishing area, it will take much longer to catch fish and to begin building up your fishing skill level. You cannot determine the difficulty-level of the fishing area except through experience, the type of fish you catch, and how often you fail to catch a fish. If you fail a lot, then you're probably in the wrong area. You should try fishing in an easier area. Experiment with different fishing areas. You should figure it out. The level on the items you catch should also let you know how difficult the area is.
Special Fishing Pools
There are special fishing pools located throughout the world that allow you to fish up special fish. To fish them you must continue to cast until your fishing bobber lands inside the animated circle. If it is outside, you will not get the special fish. You can fish the pool 4-6 times before the pool is depleted and disappears.
Oily Black Mouth Shoal
Firefin Snapper Shoal
Sage fish Shoal
Greater Sage fish Shoal
Deviate fish Shoal
Floating Wreckage
There are special floating wreckage areas. You can find some in Stranglethorn Vale. To fish them you must continue to cast until your fishing bobber lands inside the animated circle. If it is outside, you will not get the special items. You can get special lockboxes and chests and sometimes healing and mana potions. The chests sometimes contain valuable items such as green items, runecloth bolts, mageweave bolts, money, leather, and more. |
