Reel ‘Em In: The Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a delightful escape, and one of its most relaxing and rewarding activities is fishing. Whether you’re a seasoned Angler or a newbie just starting out, this comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know to become a master fisher in your virtual paradise. We’ll cover the basics, the advanced techniques, seasonal fish, rare catches, and everything in between. So, grab your rod, find a good spot, and let’s dive in!
## Getting Started: The Basics of Fishing
Before you can start reeling in the big ones, you’ll need a fishing rod. Here’s how to acquire one and use it:
### 1. Obtaining a Fishing Rod
* **Early Game:** Initially, you can purchase a flimsy fishing rod from Timmy at Nook’s Cranny (when it’s still Nook’s Cranny Tent or the upgraded store). This rod is breakable, so be prepared to craft or buy replacements. The Flimsy Fishing Rod costs 400 Bells.
* **Crafting:** You can also craft a flimsy fishing rod yourself using branches. As you play and progress, you will learn DIY Recipes from villagers, bottles on the beach, or by purchasing recipe books. One of these recipes will eventually be for a flimsy fishing rod.
* **Upgraded Rod:** After catching a certain number of fish (around 20-30), Timmy and Tommy at Nook’s Cranny will start selling the regular Fishing Rod. This rod is more durable than the flimsy one, but it can still break. The Fishing Rod costs 800 Bells.
* **Golden Rod:** The ultimate fishing rod is the Golden Fishing Rod. This rod is significantly more durable than the regular rod, but it’s not unbreakable. To obtain the Golden Fishing Rod DIY recipe, you must catch every single fish in the game at least once. Once you’ve done that, you’ll find a message in a bottle on the beach that contains the recipe.
### 2. Equipping Your Fishing Rod
* Open your inventory by pressing the ‘X’ button.
* Select the fishing rod you want to use.
* Choose ‘Equip’. Your character will now hold the fishing rod.
### 3. Finding a Fishing Spot
* Look for bodies of water: rivers, ponds, the ocean, and even the secret waterfall (if your island has one) are all potential fishing spots.
* Identify Fish Shadows: Fish appear as shadows in the water. These shadows come in various sizes; larger shadows usually indicate rarer or more valuable fish.
* Position Yourself: Stand at the edge of the water, facing a fish shadow. Make sure you’re close enough to cast your line without scaring the fish away.
### 4. Casting Your Line
* Press the ‘A’ button to cast your line. Aim to land your lure directly in front of the fish shadow, ideally close to its head. The closer you get the lure to the fishes head the better chance you have of catching it.
* Be mindful of the distance: Holding the ‘A’ button longer will cast your line further. Release the ‘A’ button when your lure is in the desired spot.
### 5. Catching the Fish
This is where the timing and patience come in:
* **Watch and Listen:** The fish will approach your lure. You’ll see it nibble at the lure several times.
* **The Key Moment:** When the fish bites down hard (you’ll see a distinct splash and hear a “plunk” sound), press the ‘A’ button immediately to reel it in.
* **Timing is Crucial:** Pressing ‘A’ too early or too late will cause the fish to get away. The sound cue is the most reliable indicator. It’s recommended you play with the sound on so you can hear the sound cue.
* **Celebrate Your Catch:** If you time it right, you’ll successfully reel in the fish! Your character will perform a little dance of joy.
### 6. What to Do With Your Catch
* **Assessment:** Your character will automatically identify the fish and display its name.
* **Inventory:** The fish will be added to your inventory.
* **Options:** You now have several options:
* **Donate to the Museum:** If it’s a fish you haven’t caught before, donate it to Blathers at the museum. This is essential for completing your museum collection.
* **Sell to Nook’s Cranny:** Sell your fish to Timmy and Tommy at Nook’s Cranny for Bells. Different fish have different values.
* **Display in Your Home:** Place the fish in your home as decoration. Some fish look quite impressive in tanks.
* **Crafting:** Some fish are used as ingredients in DIY recipes. Some can be used to create models with CJ.
* **Give to Villagers:** Give fish to your villagers to improve your relationship with them. However, some villagers don’t like certain fish, so be careful!
* **Commission CJ:** CJ will buy your fish for 1.5x the price that Timmy and Tommy will. He will also commission models. He appears randomly on your island.
## Advanced Fishing Techniques
Mastering the basics is just the beginning. Here are some advanced techniques to help you catch those elusive rare fish:
### 1. Understanding Fish Spawn Rates
* **Time of Day:** Some fish are only available at certain times of the day (morning, noon, evening, or night). Check a comprehensive fish guide (like those found online) to know when specific fish are active.
* **Time of Year:** Fish availability varies by season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter). Certain fish are only available during specific months.
* **Location:** Some fish are exclusive to certain locations, such as the river mouth, the pier, or the clifftop river.
* **Weather:** Some fish are more likely to appear during rainy or snowy weather.
### 2. Using Fish Bait
* **Crafting Bait:** Fish bait is crafted using manila clams, which can be found buried in the sand on the beach. Look for small dark spots that spout water.
* **Digging Up Clams:** Use your shovel to dig up the manila clams.
* **Crafting Fish Bait:** At a crafting table, combine one manila clam to create one fish bait.
* **Using Fish Bait:** Stand at the edge of the water where you want to fish and select the fish bait from your inventory. Choose ‘Sprinkle’. This will instantly spawn a fish shadow in the water.
* **Benefits of Fish Bait:** Fish bait is invaluable for targeting specific fish or for fishing in areas where fish are scarce. It can also help you to catch rare fish more quickly.
### 3. Identifying Fish Shadows
* **Size Matters:** The size of the fish shadow is a good indicator of the fish’s rarity and value. Larger shadows generally mean rarer and more valuable fish.
* **Shadow Movement:** Observe how the shadow moves. Some fish are more active than others, and their movement patterns can give you a clue about what they might be.
* **Ignoring Common Fish:** If you’re targeting rare fish, you can save time by ignoring the shadows of common fish (like sea bass) and focusing on larger or more unusual shadows.
### 4. Utilizing Mystery Island Tours
* **Nook Miles Tickets:** Purchase Nook Miles Tickets from the Nook Stop in Resident Services.
* **Visiting Mystery Islands:** Use a Nook Miles Ticket at the airport to travel to a random mystery island.
* **Island Variations:** Some mystery islands have unique features that make them ideal for fishing. For example, some islands have a large pond with rare fish, while others have a long pier that attracts pier-exclusive fish.
* **Clearing the Island:** To maximize your chances of catching rare fish on a mystery island, consider clearing the island of other fish by catching or scaring them away. Then, use fish bait to spawn new fish shadows.
### 5. Mastering the Sound Cue
* **Pay Attention:** Focus intently on the sound of the fish biting. It’s a distinct “plunk” sound that is different from the sound of the fish nibbling at the lure.
* **Practice:** Practice catching fish regularly to train your ear to recognize the sound cue. The more you fish, the better you’ll become at timing your button presses.
* **Adjusting Volume:** If you’re having trouble hearing the sound cue, adjust the volume settings on your Switch to emphasize the sound effects.
## Seasonal Fish and Rare Catches
The thrill of fishing in Animal Crossing comes from the constant discovery of new and rare fish. Here’s a guide to some of the most sought-after catches:
### Spring (March – May/September – November)
* **Stringfish:** This elusive fish is found in clifftop rivers and is available from 4 PM to 9 AM. It’s one of the most challenging fish to catch in the game.
* **Cherry Salmon:** Found in clifftop rivers, this fish is available all day.
* **Tadpole:** This small fry can be found in ponds during the spring season.
### Summer (June – August/December – February)
* **Arapaima:** A massive fish found in rivers, available from 4 PM to 9 AM. Requires a large shadow.
* **Saddled Bichir:** This fish is also found in rivers, and is available from 9 PM to 4 AM.
* **Napoleonfish:** A rare ocean fish with a huge shadow, available all day.
### Autumn (September – November/March – May)
* **Salmon:** Found in rivers at the river mouth, available all day. Keep an eye out for their distinctive swimming pattern.
* **King Salmon:** Similar to the Salmon but larger, also found in the river mouth all day.
* **Dorado:** Found in rivers, available from 4 AM to 9 PM.
### Winter (December – February/June – August)
* **Pond Smelt:** Found in rivers, available all day.
* **Stringfish:** Available again, as in Spring, at the clifftop rivers from 4PM to 9AM.
* **Coelacanth:** This ancient fish is only caught in the ocean during rainy weather, all day.
### Rare Fish Throughout the Year
* **Golden Trout:** Found in clifftop rivers, available from 4 PM to 9 AM (March-May and September-November). This fish is incredibly rare and requires patience and persistence.
* **Great White Shark:** Found in the ocean, available from 4 PM to 9 AM (June-September). Look for a very large shadow with a fin on top.
* **Whale Shark:** Another ocean shark with a fin on top, available all day (June-September).
## Tips and Tricks for Successful Fishing
Here are some additional tips and tricks to improve your fishing skills and increase your chances of catching rare fish:
* **Patience is Key:** Fishing can be a test of patience. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t catch a rare fish right away. Keep trying, and eventually, you’ll be rewarded.
* **Fish During Peak Hours:** Fish are more active during certain times of the day. Experiment with fishing at different times to see when you have the most luck.
* **Utilize Headphones:** Wearing headphones can help you hear the subtle sound cues more clearly, especially the sound of the fish biting.
* **Clear Your Inventory:** Make sure you have enough space in your inventory to store your catches. You don’t want to miss out on a rare fish because your inventory is full.
* **Talk to Villagers:** Villagers may offer tips or hints about where to find specific fish.
* **Check the Bulletin Board:** The bulletin board in Resident Services may contain announcements about fishing events or rare fish sightings.
* **Use Nook Miles Rewards:** Redeem Nook Miles for useful items, such as fish bait, that can help you catch more fish.
* **Experiment with Different Locations:** Try fishing in different locations on your island to see which areas are the most productive.
* **Be Aware of the Weather:** Some fish are more likely to appear during specific weather conditions, such as rain or snow.
* **Have Fun!** Fishing in Animal Crossing is meant to be a relaxing and enjoyable activity. Don’t take it too seriously, and have fun exploring the game’s underwater world.
## The Joy of Fishing in Animal Crossing
Fishing in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is more than just a game mechanic; it’s an experience. It’s about the quiet anticipation as you cast your line, the thrill of reeling in a rare catch, and the satisfaction of completing your museum collection. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, there’s always something new to discover in the world of Animal Crossing fishing. So, grab your rod, head to the water, and start reeling in the fun!
By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a master fisher in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Happy fishing!