Start here · Essential systems
How to Fish Guide
Learn the core loop, spend money on the upgrades that move your run forward, and know exactly where to look when progression stops.
Quick start
Catch, defeat, collect, upgrade, then move on
Use the correct rod and lure to hook creatures, defeat them, then decide whether the catch belongs to a quest, your collection, the grill, or the shop. Story progress comes from named boss drops and NPC hand-ins; general money comes from ordinary catches.
Beginner Checklist
Your first-session priorities
Core Gameplay Loop
What you do—and why it matters
Catch
Match the rod and lure to the creature pool. Stronger lures unlock later but do not automatically replace every earlier lure.
Defeat
Hooking starts the encounter. Finish the creature with your weapons so it registers and becomes usable.
Use the catch
Sell normal catches, grill food, keep quest trophies, and save special bodies needed as boss bait.
Upgrade
Invest in boat speed, dependable weapons, and the equipment needed to reach and survive later regions.
Main progression
How the story advances
- 1
Complete the island quest
Talk to the local quest NPC and obtain the special bait or objective for that region.
- 2
Defeat the required boss
Use the correct trigger, survive the encounter, and inspect the arena after the boss dies.
- 3
Collect and return the trophy
Named drops such as the Piranha Skeleton, Pufferfish Fin, and Albatross Head are progression items—not shop clutter.
- 4
Register the next route
Finish the hand-in, accept the coordinates, return to your boat, and follow the new Radar marker.
Guide library
Choose what you need
Common mistakes
Avoid losing progression time
Pause before selling any unusually named boss trophy or special creature body.
Return with the lure listed for a missing encyclopedia entry; later does not always mean universal.
A defeated boss may still require a pickup and NPC hand-in before the next route appears.
Use the marker registered in your own Radar after the coordinates are accepted.
FAQ
Beginner questions
What should I do first?
Learn the catch-and-defeat loop, complete the local quest, and follow the walkthrough rather than trying to reach late-game islands immediately.
Should I sell every creature?
No. Keep named quest drops and any special catch the current objective asks you to deliver or use as bait.
How do I know what fish I am missing?
Open the in-game Tab encyclopedia, then use the Fish guide to match missing entries to lure tiers and special encounters.
Can the main story be completed solo?
The route is playable solo, while co-op can make defense and boss encounters easier.