• Guide

How to go fishing in Sea of Thieves

Learn how to catch fish in Sea of Thieves, what bait to use, and how to sell a fish to the Hunter's Call.

Sam Chandler

April 30, 2019 11:05 PM

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Players can now go fishing in Sea of Thieves thanks to the Anniversary Update. Going for a fishing trip is incredibly easy, but the trick is learning how the rod and reel mechanics work. Beyond just casting a line, you will also need to know what bait to use to attract each type of fish and where to sell any fish you do manage to snag.

Where to fish in Sea of Thieves

You can fish just about anywhere there’s water in Sea of Thieves. You can fish at the outpost you spawn at, along the shoreline of smaller islands, even in any ponds you find on larger islands. It’s also possible to fish off the back of your ship while it’s moving. Picking the right place to fish will depend on what type of fish you want to catch. If you’re just looking to cast out a line and have some fun, then you can fish wherever you please.

Equipping your fishing rod

Before you can go fishing, you will first need to equip your fishing rod. Ideally, you will have already chosen a fishing spot.

1. Pick a fishing spot
2. Open the equipment wheel
3. Go to the next page
4. Select the fishing rod from the top

With the fishing rod in hand, you can now either cast out and begin fishing or put bait on the end to catch specific fish.

Selecting the right bait for fishing

There are three types of bait to use in Sea of Thieves: earthworms, grubs, and leeches. The bait you should use depends on the type of fish you want to catch. Check out our comprehensive fishing spots and bait guide for a breakdown of what you need for each fish type! As for equipping bait on your hook, the process is similar to getting your rod out.

With your fishing rod in hand:

1. Open the equipment wheel
2. Press the “bait” option
3. Select what bait to use

Once the bait has been selected, you will see it hanging from the end of your hook. The only thing that’s left to do now is cast off and begin fishing.

How catch a fish on Xbox One with controller

Fishing using an Xbox One controller (or any controller) is simple. The right trigger is used to do two things: cast out the line and then slowly reel in a fish. The left trigger is used to immediately pull the line back in. The left thumbstick’s function is to pull the fishing rod to the left, right, and up or down in order to tire the fish.

The Xbox One controller also has the added advantage of rumbling during specific moments while fishing. When the fish pulls in a direction, if you do not respond with the correct input, the controller will rumble. A rumbling controller means the line could break!

With your fishing rod in hand and the bait on the hook:

1. Aim out at the water
2. Pull the right trigger to cast out the line
3. Wait for the fish to bite
4. Pull the rod the opposite direction the fish is swimming (if the fish swims left, pull the rod right)
5. When the line goes slack and the fish stops moving, hold right trigger to reel
6. Stop reeling when the fish starts moving
7. Continue to tire the fish out and reel in when it stops moving until you pull it out of the water

Be careful when reeling in the fish and moving the rod to tire the fish out. If you reel in while the fish is still moving or pull the rod the wrong way for too long, the line will eventually break. When the line breaks, the fish will swim free.

After you successfully catch a fish in Sea of Thieves, you can stand with the fish on the end of your line for a photo opportunity. Hold the X button to grab the fish off the hook.

How to catch a fish on PC with keyboard and mouse

Fishing on PC with a keyboard and mouse is mostly the same as controller. The main difference is that keyboard and mouse lacks the rumble feedback of a line that might snap.

On PC, the left mouse click is used to cast out the line and slowly reel in the fish. Right mouse click is used to immediately pull the line back in. The ASD keys are used to pull the rod to the left (A), right (D), and up (S) in order to tire the fish.

1. Aim out at the water
2. Left click to cast out the line
3. Wait for the fish to bite
4. Pull the rod the opposite direction the fish is swimming (if the fish swims left, pull the rod right)
5. When the line goes slack and the fish stops moving, hold left mouse click to reel it in
6. Stop reeling when the fish moves again
7. Continue to tire the fish out and reel in when it stops moving until you pull it out of the water

Keep in mind, you must ensure you pull the rod the opposite direction the fish is swimming. Pulling the rod the wrong way or reeling in the fish when it’s still swimming will result in the line breaking and you losing the fish.

With the fish on the end of your hook, take a photo or grab it off!

Where to sell your fish

Fish can be sold at any of the seaposts around the Sea of Thieves. These seaposts have a member of the Hunter’s Call clan that accept any kind of fish, meat, and even mermaid statue gems. The gold and experience you receive will depend on what type of fish or meat you hand over, as well as whether you took the time to cook the fish. A rare trophy fish that you took the time to cook is going to be worth more than an uncooked fish.

How to cook fish

Cooking fish in Sea of Thieves can be done just about anywhere. There is a stove and frypan on every ship and most islands have a cooking station somewhere.

1. Hold the fish in your hand
2. Place it on the frying pan
3. Wait for it to cook
4. Remove the fish before it burns

There are technically four stages to cooking fish in Sea of Thieves: not cooked, undercooked, perfectly cooked, and burnt. After you place the fish on the frypan, it will begin to change color. Pulling it off too soon will leave it undercooked. The fish will change color to a crispy golden brown when it is perfectly cooked. Pull the fish off the heat before it burns. A good tip is to watch the fish's eyes. As the fish's eyes turn white, it will be close to being perfectly cooked.

Fishing in Sea of Thieves offers players a brand new way to experience Rare’s pirate game. There are multiple fish types to catch, various baits to use, and a host of rewards to earn from the Hunter’s Call. Now that fishing is finally here in Sea of Thieves, don’t shirk your deckhand duties! Harpoon over to the Shacknews Sea of Thieves guide and walkthrough for even more helpful articles!

Sam Chandler

Guides Editor

Hailing from the land down under, Sam Chandler brings a bit of the southern hemisphere flair to his work. After bouncing round a few universities, securing a bachelor degree, and entering the video game industry, he's found his new family here at Shacknews as a Guides Editor. There's nothing he loves more than crafting a guide that will help someone. If you need help with a guide, or notice something not quite right, you can message him on X: @SamuelChandler