Community Fishing Guide

Paired down guide with specific locations and information to get fishing skill off to the races quickly. See the fishing category for the full story.

Gear

Basic fishing gear is suggested to make your life easier. Fisherman's Tunica, Fisherman's Gloves, Fisherman's Hose and Fisherman's Boots are dirt cheap to obtain, even less if you craft them. For some places it can mean the difference between no nibbles and nailing it. Lu Shang's Fishing Rod is not a requirement, but does make life easier. If you want to skill/catch into it instead of buying it, grab a Halcyon Rod instead, as this will deal with most fish easily until then.

Fish

0-11

Fishing Information
Fish	Zone	Rod	Bait
Moat Carp - (11) Small! Fish (Fresh Water)	Mog Garden Pond	Halcyon Rod Lu Shang's Fishing Rod	Insect Ball
§: Fish may be too small     #: Line may snap     Bold: Best Setup

You're likely to catch a lot of these anyway. The mog garden will keep you peaceful, will never fish up items, and give easy access to your mog house.

11-27

Fishing Information
Fish	Zone	Rod	Bait
Nebimonite - (27) Small! Fish (Salt Water)	Sea Serpent Grotto Lake at J-12	Ebisu Fishing Rod Ebisu Fishing Rod +1 Lu Shang's Fishing Rod Lu Shang's Fishing Rod +1 Halcyon Rod	Crayfish Ball
§: Fish may be too small     #: Line may snap     Bold: Best Setup

Your first hurdle. Halcyon isn't the best choice here, but you'll still consistently pick these up. Try to get as close to fishing 15 as you may never have these bite without it. Skip the ferry.

28-53

Fishing Information
Fish	Zone	Rod	Bait
Istiridye - (53) Small! Fish (Salt Water)	Nashmau	Lu Shang's Fishing Rod Ebisu Fishing Rod Halcyon Rod	Robber Rig
§: Fish may be too small     #: Line may snap     Bold: Best Setup

Again, Halcyon isn't the best option here, but you are in town again to keep you safe.

53-90

Fishing Information
Fish	Zone	Rod	Bait
Mercanbaligi - (86) Small! Fish (Salt Water)	Nashmau Talacca Cove	Lu Shang's Fishing Rod Lu Shang's Fishing Rod +1 Ebisu Fishing Rod Ebisu Fishing Rod +1 Halcyon Rod #	Shrimp Lure
§: Fish may be too small     #: Line may snap     Bold: Best Setup

Fishing Information
Fish	Zone	Rod	Bait
Ahtapot - (90) Large!!! Fish (Salt Water)	Nashmau Talacca Cove	Lu Shang's Fishing Rod Lu Shang's Fishing Rod +1 Ebisu Fishing Rod Ebisu Fishing Rod +1 May Break: Halcyon Rod	Shrimp Lure
§: Fish may be too small     #: Line may snap     Bold: Best Setup

Saying in Nashmau, you are now presented with your first hurdle to not having Lu Shang's. Between line snaps and breaks, before attempting this, it is suggested going through to finally get all your moat carp together. It is suggested also trying Talacaa Cove, as this will give you a few shots at Dil (see below).

90-Onward

From here, you got options.

Fishing Information
Fish	Zone	Rod	Bait
Pterygotus - (99) Large!!! Fish (Salt Water)	Nashmau Sih Gates (Map 2)	Lu Shang's Fishing Rod Lu Shang's Fishing Rod +1 Ebisu Fishing Rod Ebisu Fishing Rod +1 Halcyon Rod #	Lugworm
§: Fish may be too small     #: Line may snap     Bold: Best Setup

Back to Nashmau. Biterate isn't great, but it won't break your rod if you have Lu Shang's by now.

Fishing Information
Fish	Zone	Rod	Bait
Dil - (96) Small! Fish (Salt Water)	Talacca Cove	Lu Shang's Fishing Rod Lu Shang's Fishing Rod +1 Ebisu Fishing Rod Ebisu Fishing Rod +1 Halcyon Rod #	Sliced Cod Shrimp Lure
§: Fish may be too small     #: Line may snap     Bold: Best Setup

An option as mentioned before. Going specific for them will require a bait change.

Fishing Information
Fish	Zone	Rod	Bait
Cave Cherax - (110+)	Kuftal Tunnel Quicksand Caves (G-14) Fountain of Kings	May Break: Lu Shang's Fishing Rod #	Meatball
§: Fish may be too small     #: Line may snap     Bold: Best Setup

The first Lu Shang's specific item and it can break the rod. You will also need decent woodworking skill (capped of 70 recommended) to fix the rod in the field.

Fishing Information
Fish	Zone	Rod	Bait
Armored Pisces - (108) Large!!! Fish (Fresh Water)	Oldton Movalpolos (H-11) Center Pond	Lu Shang's Fishing Rod Lu Shang's Fishing Rod +1 Ebisu Fishing Rod Ebisu Fishing Rod +1 May Break: Halcyon Rod	Frog Lure Sinking Minnow
§: Fish may be too small     #: Line may snap     Bold: Best Setup

Won't break the good rods, bite rate seems to be equal or possibly better than Cave Cherax.

Fishing Information
Fish	Zone	Rod	Bait
Lik - (110+) Large!!! Fish (Fresh Water) Key Item Required: Serpent Rumors	Lufaise Meadows (Leremieu Lagoon)	Ebisu Fishing Rod May Break: Lu Shang's Fishing Rod	Dwarf Pugil Minnow
§: Fish may be too small     #: Line may snap     Bold: Best Setup

Fishing Information
Fish	Zone	Rod	Bait
Gugrusaurus - (110+) Large!!! Fish (Salt Water) Key Item Required: Serpent Rumors	Ferry - Mhaura/Al Zahbi Ferry - Mhaura/Selbina (Pirates) Manaclipper (Purgonorgo Isle<->Sunset Docks)	Ebisu Fishing Rod May Break: Lu Shang's Fishing Rod	Drill Calamary Meatball
§: Fish may be too small     #: Line may snap     Bold: Best Setup

If you managed to get an Ebisu since starting, you can use these two as options.

References

Based originally on this post by cdgreg