A Genuine Fishing Guide

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Author: IconicIdea.
=A Quick Q&A Session=
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*Q: Are there any fishing quests?
*A: Yes! And they're fun. Use them to earn Fishing Guild Points, gear, bait, and stacks of Fisherman's Feast! Sign up for all the Records of Eminence quests thusly: Menu > Quests > Objective List > Fishing. (check them all out here: Fishing (RoE))
*Q: Ok... this takes too long. I'm going to get a Fishing Bot. What do you think about that?
*A: Fishing bots are lazy, silly tools, you don't need one. Fishing skills up slower than any other craft and patience is key - but let's do this smart. Don't Get a Fishing Bot (unless you want to be banned). Instead, get a Pelican Ring and stacks of Fisherman's Feast. The Pelican ring can be won via the Fish Ranking contest and is occasionally available using Login Points. Using rings and food together increase skill-ups significantly.
*Q: Is there gear that increases fishing skill? Is it worth getting?
*A: The Fisherman's Tunica Set is highly recommended, granting a total of +4 Fishing Skill. When stacked with Advanced Fishing Support, this becomes +7. This assists in reeling in fish above your skill-level, and with some fish seems to increase the skill-up rate. The guild also offers items which increase Fishing Skill by saving up Guild Points, but the Fisherman's Tunica Set can be easily bought off the Action House. 
*Q: What about Fishing rings? 
*A: The Noddy Ring and Puffin Ring (both equipable at lvl 15) come highly recommended. I got both of mine off the AH. When you get more advanced you will definitely want the Heron and Seagull Rings (which you can get from the Moblin Maze Mongers via the Aquatic Depopulation Team quest).
*Q: I once caught a lot of fish, I was getting some good skill-ups - then all the sudden I couldn't catch anything, I mean NOTHING.
*A: If you just started fishing you will only catch 10-15 fish each (real world) day for the first (real world) week. After that, you can catch 200 fish max per day (this is about 16 and a half stacks). After reaching your limit, you'll contract Fishing Fatigue, and you won't get any more bites until the day has elapsed (at Japan Midnight).
*Q: I don't have Fishing Fatigue I've waited a full game day and I still can't catch any fish! What should I do!?
*A: This happens from time to time. I don't know what causes it, but I know how to fix it, Remove ALL equipment > Change your main and secondary jobs > Then change jobs back to your preferred jobs > Re-equip all fishing gear. You should now be able to catch fish.
*Q: I hear if you fish with Ionis (a beneficial Status Effect, for Seekers of Adoulin Areas) that it increases fishing skillups for Adoulin Areas, is that true?
*A: This is false, and many players don't understand the nature of the Ionis status effect. It has different effects depending on the Coalition you receive Ionis from. Some Coalitions DO offer a minor skill gain when crafting, while some affect skill gain for combat or magic skills, but NONE of them affect the skill-up rate for Fishing, Synergy or Chocobo Digging (which are considered "hobbies," not "crafting").
*Q: Do I have to get Lu Shang's Fishing Rod? I hear it's mandatory, and that it takes a long time to earn.
*A: After level 53 this guide uses Lu Shang's Fishing Rod exclusively, it's technically not mandatory, but it will be INCREDIBLY frustrating (I tried) without it. I recommend you buy it. It sells for 2-6 million gil on most servers. You can save up and buy Lu Shang's Fishing Rod much faster than completing the quest to earn it. FYI if you did nothing but fish Moat Carp two hours a day for two months... then you would earn Lu Shang's Fishing Rod. This is why I advise you buy it (check out A Genuine Guide To Making Gil).
*Q: You know this guide is outdated right? EVERYONE should use this Nashmau FFXIAH Fishing Tutorial instead!!
*A: No, this guide isn't outdated, and while you CAN use the "Nashmau" guide, it's a sad one-dimensional grind. Please read it through and let it sink in. You never leave Nashmau (a tiny town colored in shades of drab). Yes, Sanction will increase the food effect of Fisherman's Feast (if double food duration is selected) but using Fishing (RoE) already grants you more Fisherman's Feast than you could ever use. The whole point of fishing (in-game or otherwise) is to go somewhere nice, exotic, or unusual, and fish then let the stress roll off. The "Nashmau" guide doesn't do that, it leap-frogs over all the-fun-of fishing and turns it into sadness.
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Some Quick Notes on Lu Shang's Rod:
In times past, SE appeared to nerfed Lu Shang's skill-up rate on lower-level fish to discourage power-leveling. This no longer is the case. If you have Lu Shang's Rod, use it lvl 1-110. I still include the 'lower' rods as some fisherman can't afford or haven't earned their Lu Shang's Rod.
If you have Woodworking skilled to 70 you can repair Lu Shang's Rod as you go (or get it repaired by NPC via the The Immortal Lu Shang quest). If you critically fail the synth, relax, you won't lose your Broken Lu Shang's Rod. However! If you're repairing the rod whilst on the ferry and it docks (zones) - your rod will be lost. Also keep in mind - if attempting to repair the rod and an enemy interrupt the synth (by attacking you), the rod will be lost. My advice - don't repair it on the Ferry (unless you JUST boarded) and never repair it near enemies. Additionally, consider using the /blockaid command (while not in a party) as healing (or buff) spells can interrupt the synth and you will lose all materials.
*1 to 11 - Mog Garden (Pond)
Fishing from the pond, the target will be Moat Carp using a Halcyon Rod with Insect Paste as bait. If you just started playing and you haven't unlocked your Mog Garden consider fishing for Moat Carp from the Knightwell Pond in West Ronfaure. You can catch Moat Carp from many locations, but fishing from the Mog Garden or Knightwell pond will ONLY target Moat Carp when using this rod/bait combo. Other locations are not so keen.
Test Item: To become Recruit ranked - at level 8, turn in a Moat Carp to the Fisherman's Guild Master, Thubu Parohren.
*10 to 14 - Selbina (Dock)
Fishing from the dock, the target will be Greedies, using a Halcyon Rod and Minnow lure. The Minnow lure is HIGHLY effective at targeting this fish. Alternatively, the Worm Lure works well too (and is less expensive).
*14 to 17 - Mhaura (Dock)
Fishing from the dock, the target will be Yellow Globes. Using a Hume Fishing Rod and Sabiki Rig - this will target only Yellow Globes (which can sell well at the Auction House). Or use the Halcyon Rod and Sabiki Rig which targets both Yellow Globes & Bastore Sardines. If you have the Alchemical skill, consider synthing the Yellow Globes into Poison Dust. Or sell them on the AH.
*17 to 19 - Selbina (Dock)
Fishing from the dock, the target will be Quus using a Halcyon Rod and Sabiki Rig or Lugworms as bait. 
Test Item: To become Initiate ranked - at level 18, turn in a Cheval Salmon to the Fisherman's Guild Master
*19 to 21 - East Ronfaure (Any Ronfaurian River)
Fishing from any river in East Ronfaure, the targets will be Cheval Salmon and Shining Trout using a Halcyon Rod and Fly Lure until level 21. 
*21 to 27 - East Ronfaure (Any Ronfaurian River)
Again, fishing from the same river(s) in East Ronfaure, using a Halcyon Rod and a Shrimp Lure, your targets will be Tricolored Carp & Gold Carp until level 27. NOTE: Shrimp Lures can, at times, be hard to find. They're difficult to synth, expensive, and only available at the Auction House. If you can't get your hands on one, use Insect Paste for this area.
*25- 31 Zeruhn Mines (River Bridge)
Fishing from the river bridge the target will be Giant Catfish using a Mithran Fishing Rod and a Sinking Minnow. This fish doesn't stack but you can CONSISTENTLY catch them here (nearly every cast) and they have a decent skillup rate.
Test Item: To become Novice ranked - At level 28, turn in a Giant Catfish to the Fisherman's Guild Master
*31 - 35 Jugner Forest (Crystwater Spring at J-9)
Fishing from the Crystwater Spring the target will be Crystal Bass using a Halcyon Fishing Rod and a Minnow or Sinking Minnow. This fish DOES stack and has a decent bite.
*35 - 39 Qufim Island (Ice Pond at H-7)
Fishing from the Ice Pond (H-7) your target will be Nosteau Herring using a Halcyon Fishing Rod or Hume Fishing Rod while baiting with a Shrimp Lure. Unfortunately, there is no (currently known) bait that will target only Nosteau Herring, you'll also catch a lot of Tiger Cod (which you can synth into Sliced Cod if you so choose). You'll get bites from Black Sole from time to time but at this level... there's no way to catch them. It's best to let them go, as they can snap your line, or (not likely but possible) break your rod. 
Test Item: To become Apprentice ranked - at level 38, turn in a Gugru Tuna to the Fisherman's Guild Master.
*41 - 47 Zeruhn Mines (River Bridge)
Fishing from the river bridge, your target will be Black Eels using a Halcyon Rod or Hume Fishing Rod while baiting with a Worm Lure. Fortunately, this selection of rod and lure targets Black Eels very well. 
*47 - 49 Beaucedine Glacier (Any Beacedinian Pond)
Fishing from ANY pond in the Beaucedine Glacier, your target will be Icefish using a Halcyon Fishing Rod while baiting with a Sabiki Rig. If you've a penchant for Marinara Pizza you can synth Icefish into Anchovys (one of the many ingredients needed to craft Marinara Pizza). Ice Elementals usually spawn near the ponds and if fishing gets monotonous, repeatedly kill them for Ice Clusters. It's hella fun. 
Test Item: To become Journeyman ranked - At level 48, turn in a Monke-Onke (Monke-Onke's only bite at night, don't fish for them during the day) to the Fisherman's Guild Master.
*49 - 53 Valkurm Dunes (Sea)
Fishing from the sea your target will be Shall Shell using a Halcyon Fishing Rod and a Robber Rig as bait. This rod and lure is fairly good at targeting Shall Shells, but you will occasionally get other bites. Shall Shells are used in several recipes and generally sell well on the AH 
*53 - 55 East Sarutabaruta (Sea)
Fishing from the sea, your target will be Bluetail and Bastore Bream while using Lu Shang's Rod and baiting with Minnow lure. Bluetail and Bastore Bream both do decent at the AH, but honestly I vendor them for almost the same money. Instant cash vs. slightly more cash? I leave it up to you. 
*55 - 60 Yhoator Jungle (Uggalepih Waterfall [J-11 directly to the right of Temple of Uggalepih])
Fishing from the Uggalepih Waterfall your target will be Elshimo Newts and Jungle Catfish while using Lu Shang's Rod and a Frog Lure. It's best to Outpost Warp here. Make sure you have the Fisherman's Tunica Set equipped (or better gear you've earned via the guild), and also get Advanced Fishing Support. Empty your inventory, because these fish don't stack, but you'll always get CONSISTENT catches here, which at this level gets hard to come by. 
I hope you've completed your Gobbiebag quests to increase your inventory size. If not, buy your Goblin Stew 880 from the Green Thumb Moogle and get them finished. 
Test Item: To become Craftsman ranked - at level 58 turn in a Bhefhel Marlin to the Fisherman's Guild Master 
*61 - 64 East Sarutabaruta (Sea)
Fishing from the sea your target will be Bladefish while using Lu Shang's Rod and Slice's of Bluetail (you can also use Meatballs but they don't catch Bladefish as consistently). Make sure you're equipped with your Fisherman's Tunica Set (or better gear) and get Advanced Fishing Support. Bladefish offer slowish skill-ups, and you could technically fish here until level 71, but as the skill-up rate here isn't fantastic, move onto Arrapago Reef. Bladefish can sell very well on the Auction House.
*64 - 72 Arrapago Reef (Sea)
Fishing from the sea your target will be Rhinochimera and Mercanbaligi while using Lu Shang's Rod and a Sinking Minnow. Don't be surprised at the fight that Rhinochimera give you. They're a very large fish, but you can easily defeat them. 2/3's of your skill-ups will come from them, the other 1/3 will be from Mercanbaligi. Make sure you're equipped with your Fisherman's Tunica Set (or better gear) and get Advanced Fishing Support. Neither fish sell well on the Action House, vendors though give decent prices. 
This is the most remote fishing hole (in this guide) and the most difficult to get to, but, once you know the way it's a cakewalk. Go to Aht Urhgan Whitegate and wait at Port Ephramad (it's the North Port, not the South Port) and wait for the Silver Sea route to Nashmau Ferry. Once in Nashmau, make sure you touch the crystal home point so you can teleport back at your leisure. Use the North exit (at H-6) to access the Caedarva Mire. Once in Caedarva Mire summon a Chocobo (or other mount) to avoid the aggressive mobs. Head to the hidden tunnel at (the right side of) I-9 and pass through. Once there, head to the hidden tunnel (upper left-hand corner of) I-8 and pass through, then zone to Arrapago Reef at the hidden tunnel at I-6. Make sure you activate the Survival Guide so you can easily teleport back. Now that you're in Arrapago Reef cast Sneak & Invisible, then board the derelict boat (left side of H-10) and then exit it (right side of H-10) take the downhill path and you'll see a gaggle of Arrapago Apkallu. These are your buddies (unless you're rather low level... then they kill you too). Fish near their watering holes and you'll be safe from the (more) aggressive mobs in this area.
Test Item: To become Artisan ranked - at level 68 turn in a Bladefish to the Fisherman's Guild Master.
*72 - 81 North Gustaberg (Drachenfall) 
Fishing from the waterfall known as Drachenfall your target will be Gavial Fish while using Lu Shang's Rod and Meatballs or the Lizard Lure. I highly recommend the Lizard Lure. If you can't synth it, buy it. If you can't buy it... use Meatballs. Make sure you're equipped with your Fisherman's Tunica Set (or better gear), and also get Fishing Support. Gavial Fish can sell well at the Action House, but only when they're in demand for Fishing Guild Points, if they're not currently in demand, sell them to vendors.
You MUST fish from the base of the Drachenfall/Waterfall (meaning, "Where The Waterfall Hits The Ground"), NOT above. If you ignore this advice your only skill-ups will be in futility & frustration. To access this fishing hole (use the Survival Guide teleport option), you'll have to travel through Dangruf Wadi, exiting at J-3, will place you near the Drachenfall/Waterfall. Even for higher level characters, it's advisable to cruise through the Wadi with Sneak and Invisible on (or use items to similar effect).
There is a Geomagnetic Fount here, that provides direct transport to Drachenfall once you unlock it.
NOTE: I've talked to many fishermen, and this fishing hole can get monotonous, and it isn't fun navigating through the Wadi. If it begins to grate on your sanity... you can skip it and move onto the next fishing hole listed below (I tested it, and it's not too big a deal).
Test Item: To become Artisan ranked - at level 78 turn in a Three-eyed Fish to the Fisherman's Guild Master.
*81 - 86 Nashmau (Dock)
Fishing from the dock your targets will be Mercanbaligi and Ahtapot while using Lu Shang's Rod and a Shrimp Lure. Make sure you're equipped with your Fisherman's Tunica Set (or better gear earned via the guild), and also get Advanced Fishing Support. Mercanbaligi and Ahtapot don't sell well on the AH but do vendor for decent money.
*86 - 96 Qufim Island (Ice Pond at H-7) or Batallia Downs (Sea) Yes, a 10 level jump. Black Sole have a GREAT skill-up rate.
Fishing from the Ice Pond (if in Qufim) or the sea (if in Batallia Downs) your target will be Black Sole while using Lu Shang's Rod and baiting with a Sinking Minnow. Sell the Black Sole on the AH or make sushi out of it. Black Soles are really SE's gift to the fisherman, they bite consistently and you don't have to hike to an insanely remote location. 
Test Item: To become Veteran ranked - at level 88 turn in a Gigant Squid to the Fisherman's Guild Master.
*96 - 99 Nashmau (Dock)
Fishing from the dock your target will be Pterygotus while using Lu Shang's Rod and baiting with Lugworms. Pterygotus don't sell on the AH, but they vendor for a good price.
Test Item: To become Expert ranked - at level 98 turn in a Tiger Shark to the Fisherman's Guild Master. Before you can catch the Tiger Shark you'll need to purchase the Angler's Almanac from the guild for 20,000 Fishing Guild Points.
*99 - 108 Oldton Movalpolos 
Your target will be Armored Pisces while using Lu Shang's Rod and baiting with the Frog Lure. Make sure you're wearing fishing equipment and get Advanced Fishing Support. Armored Pisces don't sell on the AH, but they vendor for a good price. The skill-up rate on this fish isn't great, but it's better than moving straight to Cave Cherax (below) I highly advise NOT skipping this one. 
*108 - 110 Kuftal Tunnel
Your target will be Cave Cherax while using Lu Shang's Rod and baiting with Meatballs. Note that this giant lobster have a slight chance to break Lu Shang's Rod, but I didn't have any breaks. Cave Cherax have a decent skill-up rate but you will get a log of line snaps. You could try selling them on the AH but most fisherman have Zaldon gut (Inside the Belly) them for a 26% chance to at Dwarf Pugils. Please note that levels 107-110 will be slow going. They will take you 2-4 times longer than typical, don't get frustrated, it's just how it goes.
Everything you see here I did myself, step by step with TWO separate characters: Grumplstiltskin (Quetzalcoatl - no longer active), and Glerm (semi-active on Asura).
Category:Guides