A pirate’s life isn’t all about raiding, plundering, and drinking rum. It’s also about fishing. In Sea of Thieves, you can catch a variety of fish to cook up for grub when your health is low, or for selling to The Hunter’s call to earn commendations and gain repute amongst fellow scalawags. We know the pirate’s life is a busy one, so let’s dive right in.
Fishing Mechanics
- Equip Rod
You can’t nab a catch with your bare hands, so the first step is to equip your fishing rod by opening the item radial. This is a simple task of pressing Q on the keyboard or LB on the Xbox controller.
- Equip Bait
Bait is not always necessary, but specific enticements will be needed if you’re seeking a certain species. The game should prompt you to add bait once you reopen the item radial with a rod equipped. PC users will attach bait by clicking R while Xbox users are going to press Y.
- Cast Line
Naturally, the next step is to cast the line by holding the left mouse button or RT on the Xbox controller. The longer you hold the button down, the further the line will cast.
- Wait…
Patience is a virtue. You’ll see a silhouette of a fish begin circling the line, and it’s important to not try snagging it prematurely.
- Tug O’ War
When the fish takes the bait (or bare lure), it will immediately attempt a mad dash back to safety, and it’s rather easy to snap your line. To avoid this, you’ll want to pull the pole in the opposite direction as the fish is trying to escape. This is accomplished on the PC by using the usual WASD directional keys — well, ASD because the fish isn’t going to try and swim ashore or onto your boat. For Xbox players, it’s a simple matter of swiveling the Left Analogue stick.
- Reel it in
When the fish gives up the fight, reel that sucker in by clicking the right mouse button or hitting RT again on the Xbox controller.
Fish Species and Their Locations
There are ten different species of fish, each with five variations. There’s a nighttime variant for each species along with four others that tier in rarity. Many of the species names’ will hint at the regions they inhabit. Here is every fish species across the map and their five variants organized by the type of bait you’ll need to catch them.
No Bait Necessary - Islehoppers, Pondies, and Splashtails
Islehoppers inhabit the shorelines of large islands. In order from common to rare, each variation of Islehopper is found around specific islands. Stone Islehoppers dwell within Shipwreck Bay, Shark Bait Cove, Crook’s Hollow, Sailor’s Bounty, Cannon Cove, and Fetcher’s Rest. Moss Islehoppers have taken up residence in the Ashen Reaches, Thieves’ Haven, Marauder’s Arch, Lone Cove, Wanderer’s Refuge, and Ruby’s Falls. Honey Islehoppers hop between Discovery Ridge, Plunder Valley, Kraken’s Fall, Sunken Grove, Crescent Isle, and The Devil’s Thirst.
The Amethyst Islehopper is the species’ nighttime variant. It will appear after dusk in the regions of Devil’s Ridge, Smuggler’s Bay, Mermaid’s Hideaway, The Crooked Masts, Old Faithful Isle, Flintlock Peninsula, and Snake Island.
The Raven is the rarest variation of Islehopper. Though it may surface around any large island, it is most likely to appear during the daytime around the same areas as the Amethyst Islehopper inhabits at night.
Pondies are an exclusively freshwater species, namely dwelling in ponds and lakes. The best places to fish them out are in Devil’s Ridge or Mermaid’s Hideaway. That’s because there are ponds in these regions that have a tall rock bordering them, which provide a safe perch away from the grip of bothersome Skellies. The Moonsky is the Pondie’s nighttime variant with Charcoal, Orchid, Bronze, and Bright Pondies, making up the tiers of common to rare variations.
Splashtails are hands down the most common species you’ll come across. They are saltwater dwellers, inhabiting all of the main regions. They are also total gluttons, gulping down any bait you put on your line. This means you are bound to experience the exasperation of snagging one of these pests while on the hunt for a particular species with more discerning tastes in bait. The Seafoam Splashtail is this species’ nighttime variant. Splashtails commonality ranges through the Ruby, Sunny, Indigo, and Umber variations.
Earthworms - Plentifins, Wildsplashes, and Wreckers
Plentifins can be found amidst The Shore’s of Plenty’s open waters, with the Watery Plentifins coming out at night. The Olive variant is the most common catch of the day in this region, while the Amber, Cloudy, and Bonedust variations increase in rarity.
Wildsplashes are native to The Wilds’ open waters. You’re most likely to snag the Russet variant, followed by the Sandy Wildsplash. Ocean Wildsplashes are a less common sight, and the Muddy variant is the rarest of all. You’ll want to plan a nighttime voyage if you’re on the hunt for the nocturnal Coral Wildsplash.
Wreckers exclusively inhabit shipwrecks. Fishers need to take extra care because these crafty buggars will snap lines left and right just by running them across part of the wreckage. Rose Wreckers are the most common, followed by Sun Wreckers. Snow Wreckers are less likely to bite. And naturally, Moon Wreckers only appear at night. This species also has a unique variant known as the Blackcloud Wrecker. These adrenaline junkies can only be found in the choppy waves of storms.
Grubs - Battlegill and Devilfish
Battlegills are happiest within the treacherous waves of war. You will only find them swimming amidst the ongoing confrontations of Skeleton Ship or Fort battles. But that’s where their predilection for war ends. You won’t find them hanging around other World Events or Encounters. If there’s a Skelly battle raging through the night, you’ll be able to snag the Bittersweet Battlegill. Otherwise, you can expect to reel in Jade variants usually, and many times Sky Battlegills. The Rum variant is less likely to let themselves be ripped from the battle, and Sand Battlegills are rarest of all.
Devilfishes are at home in The Devil’s Roar region. You will find them skulking the open waters. Firelight Devilfish light up this region’s dark waters at night. You’ll most likely fish up the Ashen, Seashell, Lava, and Forsaken variants in that order during the day.
Leeches - Ancientscales and Stormfish
Ancientscales swim the open waters of The Ancient Isles. The variations from common to rare are Almond, Sapphire, Smoke, and Bone Ancientscales, with the nighttime variant being the Starshine Ancientscale.
Stormfishes only dwell within treacherous storms. You’ll know you’re caught in one by the ringing of the ship’s bell and a compass that’s spinning out of control. Stormfish aren’t so much divided by rarity. They more so consist of regional variants.
Ancient Stormfish are found within The Ancient Isles, Shores Stormfish can be caught along The Shores of Plenty, and Wild Stormfish inhabit The Wilds, naturally.
The rare Shadow Stormfish and the species’ nighttime variant, Twilight Stormfish, are most likely to surface at The Glorious Seadog Tavern and Uncharted Island (N-13). Only these two variants and Splashtails appear at this location. That means fishing during the day guarantees a rare catch as long as you can differentiate a Splashtail’s silhouette — if it’s long and flat, abort mission immediately and recast.
Unlocking Fishing Rods
Besides getting paid in shiny gold coins, your main incentive for completing each species collection is new fishing rods. Fishing rods are unlocked by achieving The Hunter’s Call Commendations for turning in your catches of each variant. For example, the title Hunter of Splashtails is earned by turning in all five variants of Splashtails. Below is a list of each commendation for the various species collections and the different rods that are unlocked by earning the title.
Hunter of Ancientscales - Sovereign, Imperial Sovereign, Royal Sovereign
Hunter of Battlegills - Bonecrusher Rod
Hunter of Devilfishes - Forsaken Ashes Rod
Hunter of Islehoppers - Hunter Rod
Hunter of Plentifins - Admiral, Ceremonial Admiral, and Grand Admiral Rods
Hunter of Pondies - Parrot Rod
Hunter of Splashtails - Bilge, Castaway Bilge, and Scurvy Bilge Rods
Hunter of Stormfishes - Kraken Rod
Hunter of Wildsplashes - Sea Dog, Ruffian Sea Dog, and Rogue Sea Dog Rods
Hunter of Wreckers - Ocean Crawler Rod
Now that you’ve learned the ropes of fishing properly, it’s high time you set sail and start casting away!
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