Fishing guide: rod crafting, bait system, and where to catch each fish

Field Complaint

I crafted the fishing rod but nothing bites. Are there specific spots or bait I need?

Validated Response

You need the right bait in the right water — just standing there with a bare hook accomplishes nothing. Craft the Fishing Rod from 1x Stapler, 2x Desk Phone, 4x Plastic Scrap, and 2x Wood Plank (the recipe unlocks from picking up your first Stapler). The bait system is progressive: each new fish type you catch unlocks its specific bait, which then increases your catch chance and rare variant probability for that species going forward. Fish locations matter enormously. Antefish swim in tainted water sources. Moonfish appear in the Office Sector fountain and swimming pool. Inkfish only show up in The Night Realm — bring a Night Helmet or you will not survive long enough to cast. Chordfish require a Fog Lantern to attract. Portal Fish hang out in the Cafeteria fountain. Gutfish Eel are the late-game fish and need the Insulated Rod, which you get from the Fisherman in Canaan. Also craft a Fishing Trap (one per water body, place it with bait inside, and check back later) for passive fishing while you do other things. The bait-progression system rewards variety — catch one of everything to unlock the full bait roster.

Summary

Fishing requires the right bait in the right water. Each new species you catch unlocks its specific bait, so catch one of everything early.

Prerequisites

• Pick up a Stapler to unlock the Fishing Rod recipe
• Craft the rod at a powered Crafting Bench
• Identify which water sources have fish

Recommended Loadout

• Fishing Rod (1x Stapler, 2x Desk Phone, 4x Plastic Scrap, 2x Wood Plank)
• Unlocked bait for your target species
• Fishing Trap for passive catching

Step-by-Step Route

1. Craft the Fishing Rod and approach any fishable water
2. Catch one of each species to unlock their specific bait type
3. Use Antefish bait in tainted water for the most common early catches
4. Fish the Office Sector fountain and pool for Moonfish and Portal Fish
5. Equip a Night Helmet and fish the Night Realm ink pool for Inkfish (no bait, Night Helmet required)
6. Wear a Fog Lantern to attract Chordfish (no bait available)
7. Craft an Insulated Rod from the Fisherman in Canaan for late-game Gutfish Eel
8. Place a Fishing Trap with bait in a water source and check back later — only one trap per body of water

Common Mistakes

• Standing at water with no bait equipped — nothing bites on a bare hook
• Trying to fish ink pools without a Night Helmet — you die before the first cast
• Forgetting that bait unlocks are permanent — each first catch pays dividends forever