Mastering Fishing in Pokémon Emerald: A Comprehensive Guide

Pokémon Emerald, a beloved entry in the Game Boy Advance era, offers a rich and immersive experience. Beyond battling and exploration, fishing stands out as a crucial skill, not only for completing your Pokédex but also for acquiring rare and powerful Pokémon. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about fishing in Pokémon Emerald, from obtaining the necessary rods to mastering the timing for hooking those elusive catches.

Why Fish in Pokémon Emerald?

Fishing in Pokémon Emerald offers several key advantages:

* **Exclusive Pokémon:** Many Pokémon, such as Magikarp, Tentacool, and Carvanha, are exclusively obtainable through fishing. Some rarer finds, like Feebas (needed for evolving into Milotic), are notoriously difficult to encounter and require patience and a solid understanding of fishing mechanics.
* **Early Access to Powerful Pokémon:** While some Pokémon available through fishing are initially weak (like Magikarp), they often evolve into formidable creatures, providing a significant boost to your team early in the game. For example, catching a Barboach can give you an early advantage with a Water/Ground type, later evolving into Whiscash, a strong and versatile Pokémon.
* **Completion of the Pokédex:** For completionists, fishing is essential. Filling your Pokédex requires encountering and catching all available Pokémon, and fishing is the only way to obtain several species.
* **Strategic Advantage:** Certain fishing locations offer Pokémon with specific abilities or move sets that can be strategically valuable in battles. For instance, catching a Corphish with Adaptability can turn it into a powerful offensive threat after evolution.
* **Relaxation and Immersion:** Fishing provides a relaxing break from the intensity of battles and exploration. It’s a chance to slow down, appreciate the game’s environment, and enjoy a different aspect of the Pokémon world.

Getting Started: Obtaining Your Fishing Rod

Before you can start fishing, you need to acquire a fishing rod. There are three different rods in Pokémon Emerald, each with a different chance of encountering certain Pokémon and tiers of Pokémon:

1. Old Rod

The Old Rod is the first fishing rod you can obtain and is found in Dewford Town. To get it:

1. **Arrive in Dewford Town:** Take the boat from Slateport City to Dewford Town.
2. **Enter the Fisherman’s House:** Locate the house of the Fisherman. It’s usually near the docks.
3. **Talk to the Fisherman:** Speak to the fisherman inside the house. He will give you the Old Rod if you talk to him. He says he has too many rods and wants to get rid of one.

The Old Rod primarily catches weak Pokémon like Magikarp. It’s useful for the beginning of the game, but you’ll quickly want to upgrade to a better rod for more diverse and powerful catches.

2. Good Rod

The Good Rod is a step up from the Old Rod and can be found in Mauville City. Here’s how to get it:

1. **Reach Mauville City:** Progress through the game until you reach Mauville City.
2. **Enter the House East of the Pokémon Center:** Look for a house to the east of the Pokémon Center.
3. **Talk to the Fisherman Inside:** A fisherman inside the house will give you the Good Rod when spoken to. He will quiz you if you like fishing.

The Good Rod allows you to catch a wider range of Pokémon, including Tentacool and other moderately strong water types.

3. Super Rod

The Super Rod is the best fishing rod in the game, allowing you to catch the rarest and most powerful Pokémon. It’s found in Mossdeep City. Follow these steps:

1. **Travel to Mossdeep City:** Advance through the game until you reach Mossdeep City, which is east of Slateport City and requires surfing to reach.
2. **Find the House West of the Pokémon Center:** Look for a house just west of the Pokémon Center. It is located near the beach.
3. **Talk to the Fisherman:** Speak to the fisherman inside the house. He will give you the Super Rod.

The Super Rod is essential for catching rare Pokémon like Carvanha, Sharpedo, and the elusive Feebas.

Fishing Mechanics: How to Fish Successfully

Once you have a fishing rod, understanding the fishing mechanics is crucial for successful catches. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. **Find a Fishing Spot:** Locate a body of water where you want to fish. This can be a lake, river, or the ocean. It does not matter which way you face when you fish.
2. **Select the Fishing Rod:** Open your bag and select the fishing rod you want to use. Choose wisely based on the Pokémon you’re hoping to catch.
3. **Cast Your Line:** Press the ‘A’ button to cast your line into the water. Your character will throw the line, and you’ll need to wait for a bite.
4. **Watch for the Bite:** Pay close attention to the screen. You’ll see an exclamation point (!) appear above your character’s head, and you’ll hear a distinct sound. The number of exclamation points may determine the type of pokemon, but it is largely random in Emerald version. This indicates a Pokémon has bitten your line.
5. **Reel It In:** As soon as you see the exclamation point, immediately press the ‘A’ button again to reel in the Pokémon. Timing is crucial. If you’re too slow, the Pokémon will get away. If you’re too fast and press ‘A’ before seeing the exclamation point, nothing will happen.
6. **Engage in Battle:** If you successfully reel in the Pokémon, a battle will begin. Weaken the Pokémon and use a Poké Ball to catch it.

Mastering the Timing: Tips and Tricks

Mastering the timing of reeling in the Pokémon is key to successful fishing. Here are some tips to improve your chances:

* **Listen Carefully:** Pay attention to the sound cues. The sound of the bite is distinct and helps you react quickly.
* **Watch for the Exclamation Point:** Focus on the visual cue of the exclamation point above your character’s head. React as soon as you see it.
* **Practice:** Practice makes perfect. Spend time fishing in different locations to get a feel for the timing and the types of Pokémon you’re likely to encounter.
* **Patience:** Fishing can be time-consuming, especially when trying to catch rare Pokémon. Be patient and persistent.
* **Use Repel:** If you’re specifically targeting Pokémon available through fishing and want to avoid random encounters while surfing or walking, use a Repel to minimize interruptions.

Fishing Locations and Pokémon Availability

Different locations in Pokémon Emerald offer different Pokémon species. Here’s a guide to some key fishing locations and the Pokémon you can expect to find:

Dewford Town

* **Rod:** Old Rod
* **Pokémon:** Magikarp

Rustboro City

* **Rod:** Good Rod
* **Pokémon:** Tentacool, Magikarp

Slateport City

* **Rod:** Good Rod
* **Pokémon:** Tentacool, Magikarp

Lilycove City

* **Rod:** Good Rod
* **Pokémon:** Tentacool, Magikarp

Pacifidlog Town

* **Rod:** Super Rod
* **Pokémon:** Tentacool, Wailmer, Pelipper

Route 119 (Near Fortree City)

* **Rod:** Super Rod
* **Pokémon:** Carvanha, Barboach, Corphish, Feebas (rare, specific tiles)

Route 102

* **Rod:** Good Rod
* **Pokémon:** Marill, Magikarp

Petalburg City

* **Rod:** Good Rod
* **Pokémon:** Marill, Magikarp

The Elusive Feebas: A Fishing Challenge

One of the most challenging aspects of fishing in Pokémon Emerald is catching Feebas. Feebas is notoriously rare and only appears in specific tiles on Route 119. Here’s what you need to know:

* **Location:** Route 119 (the river area near Fortree City).
* **Rod:** Super Rod.
* **Tiles:** Feebas appears on only six random tiles in the river. These tiles change each time you change the trendy phrase in Dewford Town. This is the only way to reset which tiles Feebas spawns from.
* **Strategy:**
1. **Choose a Trendy Phrase:** Change the trendy phrase in Dewford Town. Talk to the NPC in the house on the east side of the town. This is the only way to reset the tiles on Route 119.
2. **Systematic Fishing:** Divide the river into sections and fish in each tile multiple times (around 5-10 casts per tile). Mark the tiles where you’ve fished to avoid repeating them.
3. **Patience is Key:** Catching Feebas requires immense patience. It may take several hours of fishing to find the right tiles.
4. **Consider using a Map:** While the tiles change each time the phrase is changed, having a visual reference of the river can help you keep track of where you’ve fished.

Once you catch a Feebas, you can evolve it into Milotic by maximizing its Beauty stat and leveling it up. Milotic is a powerful Water-type Pokémon with excellent stats, making the effort of finding Feebas worthwhile.

Tips for Maximizing Your Fishing Efficiency

To make your fishing expeditions more efficient and enjoyable, consider the following tips:

* **Use a Pokémon with Suction Cups or Sticky Hold:** Pokémon with these abilities increase the chance of hooking a Pokémon while fishing. Examples include Octillery (Suction Cups) and Gulpin (Sticky Hold).
* **Bring Plenty of Poké Balls:** Stock up on Poké Balls before you start fishing to ensure you can catch the Pokémon you encounter.
* **Carry Potions:** Battles with wild Pokémon can be challenging, so bring potions to heal your Pokémon if necessary.
* **Use Repel Strategically:** Repels can help you avoid unwanted encounters while moving between fishing spots, especially in areas with high encounter rates.
* **Keep Track of Time:** Some Pokémon may be more common at certain times of day. Experiment with fishing at different times to see if it affects your catches.

Conclusion

Fishing in Pokémon Emerald is a rewarding and essential activity for completing your Pokédex, obtaining powerful Pokémon, and enjoying a different aspect of the game. By understanding the mechanics, obtaining the right fishing rods, and mastering the timing, you can significantly improve your chances of catching rare and valuable Pokémon. Whether you’re aiming to catch the elusive Feebas or simply relax by the water, fishing adds depth and enjoyment to the Pokémon Emerald experience. So grab your rod, find a peaceful spot, and start fishing – you never know what treasures you might find beneath the surface!