As a
secondary skill, fishing occupies its own unique space in World of
Warcraft. Although it is essentially a gathering skill akin to skinning,
herbalism, or mining, the mechanics of the skill make it almost like a
mini-game. Just like the real-life equivalent, to become a master
fisherman you'll have to spend considerable time standing next to bodies
of water while holding a fishing pole. Catching a fish will be a test of
your reaction time, as you have to right-click the bobber immediately
after you see it dip into the water indicating you've caught something.
Along with the
requisite marine life such as fish, eels, and squid, you also might haul
up some odds and ends from time to time - including even valuable items,
some of which may only be caught by fishing. The fish you catch can be
eaten on their own to regain health, or they can be used in cooking
recipes. The cooked fish will often provide useful effects when eaten.
And, like any
real-life fisherman will tell you, part of the appeal of fishing is its
inherent relaxing nature. Finding a perfect fishing spot, secluded from
other players and (hopefully) enemies, while surrounded by beautiful
scenery - it's a perfect way to take a break from your adventures in the
World of Warcraft!
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Starting
Off - What do you do?
First, you need to
find a fishing trainer. Fishing trainers are usually located next to a
lake or stream. If you see an NPC standing near the water, he's likely a
fishing trainer or merchant. Ask around and people can help lead you to
the fishing trainer. Once you have learned fishing, you need to go find
yourself a fishing pole!
Expert
Fishing
To learn expert fishing you need to buy "Expert Fishing - The Bass and
You." It costs one gold. It is available from Old Man Heming in
Stranglethorn Vale at Booty Bay.
Artisan
Fishing
To learn Artisan level you must be level 35 and have 225 fishing.
Alliance players need to talk to Grimnur Stonebrand in Ironforge (The
Forlon Cavern) while Horde players need to talk to Lumak in the Valley
of Honor in Ogrimmar. Both quests send you to talk to Nat Pagle in
Dustwallow Marsh. He's located in Tidefury Cove which is south west of
Theramore Island. He sends you on a quest to collect four different rare
fish throughout the world.
Master
Fishing
To become a master fisherman and have a maximum skill of 375, you need
to buy a copy of "Master Fishing - The Art of Angling" from Juno Dufrain
at Cenarion Refuge in Zangarmarsh. Raising your fishing skill in Outland
is similar to that in Azeroth, where each region has progressively more
difficult fish to catch based on the average level of the enemies there.
One factor that you should take into account when picking a fishing spot
is the type of fish you can catch there - different fish can be cooked
into recipes that have various effects when consumed.
Raising your
fishing skill from 300 to 375 won't be done quickly. You will need
multiple successful catches to gain a skill point. It might behoove you
to take breaks and spread out your fishing rather than trying to raise
it all in one long haul. Make sure you have on your best fishing gear,
including the all-important fishing lures.
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Additional Information
After you have
trained in fishing, you need to go buy a fishing pole. Fishing poles can
be purchased from merchants who sell items required for Professions
("trade merchants"). Ask other people where to find one, if you need
help. After using your initial Fishing Pole, you can find better ones
out there in the world. Check the Auction House for poles.
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Blump Family Fishing Pole1 |
+3 |
Strong Fishing Pole |
+5 |
Darkwood Fishing
Pole |
+15 |
Big Iron Fishing
Pole |
+20 |
Seth's Graphite Fishing Pole2 |
+20 |
Nat Pagle's Extreme Angler FC-50003 |
+25 |
Arcanite Fishing Pole4 |
+35 |
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1 -
Alliance only quest. Talk to Gubber Blump in Auberdine (Darkshore).
2 - Quest reward in Terokkar Forest
3 - Horde only quest. Talk to Katoom the Angler at Revantusk
Village in the Hinterlands.
4 - Reward for winning the Stranglethorn Fishing Contest.
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BAIT
Find a merchant who
sells bait. Typically, this vendor will be a "trade merchant". You can
then use this bait to raise your fishing skill so that you have an
easier time catching fish. Bait wears off after a period of time, so you
must continue to reapply it. You can buy better bait for higher bonuses
to fishing. You will need Aquadynamic Fish Attractors for the highest
level fishing areas. These can be created by Engineers.
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Shiny Bauble |
+25 for 10 minutes |
Nightcrawlers |
+50 for 10 minutes |
Bright Baubles |
+75 for 10 minutes |
Flesh Eating Worm |
+75 for 10 minutes |
Aquadynamic Fish
Attractor |
+100 for 10 minutes |
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Using a fishing pole
You will now need
to equip the fishing pole. Place it in your main weapon hand. If you
have both a main weapon and a secondary shield, you will need to remove
both before equipping the fishing pole.
Equip your
fishing pole and open up your abilities menu. You will now find a new
icon for fishing (or its associated hot key). Drag it over to your
action bar.
Now find
somewhere to fish. Find the nearest river or lake, or go to the ocean.
Face the water and press the fishing button. Your character will make a
cast out into the water. If you are unable to fish, you will be informed
via an error message with the specific error. Try fishing in another
area. If there is not enough room to cast, such as with a narrow river,
you might receive an error. Try repositioning.
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The Fishing Bobber Game
Once you have made
your cast, a fishing bobber will appear. Move your mouse over the
fishing bobber, which should reveal the standard loot/interaction icon.
You must now
wait until the fishing bobber moves and you see a splash. Fishing
requires patience. It's not for everybody. A timer will appear and begin
counting down after you cast. The timer indicates the length of your
current cast. After the timer is up, you'll have to cast again.
Right-click on the bobber as soon as possible after the bobber moves.
The game portion involves timing it right so that your right-click will
result in the fish being caught and not getting away.
If you are
successful, you will receive a loot box and you'll be able to catch the
fish. If you are not successful a message will inform you that the fish
got away.
The splash/hook
may occur at different times along the timing bar. Sometimes the
splash/hook appears right before the time is up, requiring you to click
quickly before the fishing operation is canceled. As you fish more, you
will likely become better at clicking at the right time.
Sometimes the
bobber doesn't bob at all during the fishing period. Just cast again.
"No fish are
hooked"
This means you clicked on the fishing bobber at the wrong time. Try
again.
"Your fish
got away!"
This means you are fishing in an area that is difficult for your skill
level. If you receive this message a lot or all of the time, you need to
go to a lower level fishing area. If you only receive this message part
of the time, you're in the right area to gain skill-ups. You can reduce
this from happening by getting a better fishing pole, applying powerful
bait, getting a fishing enchant or item, or by raising your skill (which
these items do).
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Fishing Areas
The area
(region) you're in is listed in the top right corner of your screen and
will determine what fish are available to be caught. The first place you
should fish is near the starting area for your race. If you try to start
off in a more difficult fishing area, it will take much longer to catch
fish and to begin building up your fishing skill level. You cannot
determine the difficulty-level of the fishing area except through
experience, the type of fish you catch, and how often you fail to catch
a fish. If you fail a lot, then you're probably in the wrong area. You
should try fishing in an easier area. Experiment with different fishing
areas. You should figure it out. The level on the items you catch should
also let you know how difficult the area is.
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Special Fishing Pools
There are special
fishing pools located throughout the world that allow you to fish up
special fish. To fish them you must continue to cast until your fishing
bobber lands inside the animated circle. If it is outside, you will not
get the special fish. You can fish the pool 4-6 times before the pool is
depleted and disappears.
Oily Blackmouth
Shoal
Firefin Snapper Shoal
Sagefish Shoal
Greater Sagefish Shoal
Deviate Fish Shoal
Eel Shoal (Feralas/Tanaris/Azshara/Stranglethorn Vale)
Sporefish School (Zangarmarsh) - Zangarian Sporefish
Bluefish School (Nagrand) - Icefin Bluefish
Feltail School (Terrokkar Forest/Zangarmash) - Spotted Feltail
Highland Mixed School (Terokkar Forest) - Gives Furious Crawdad, Golden
Darter, and more.
School of Darter (Terokkar Forest) - Golden Darter
Pure Water (Nagrand) - Gives Mote of Water
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Floating Wreckage
There are special
floating wreckage areas. You can find some in Stranglethorn Vale. To
fish them you must continue to cast until your fishing bobber lands
inside the animated circle. If it is outside, you will not get the
special items. You can get special lockboxes and chests and sometimes
healing and mana potions. The chests sometimes contain valuable items
such as green items, runecloth bolts, mageweave bolts, money, leather,
and more.
In Zangarmash you can find Steam Pump Flotsam which can give Heavy
Supply Crates or Steam Pump Debris.
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Fishing and Items:
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Stranglethrone Fishing Extravangza
The
Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza is a grand event set along the coasts
of Stranglethorn Vale. This contest happens every Sunday at 2 p.m. game
time. Early in the day, friendly neighborhood goblins will visit
Ironforge and Orgrimmar to inform aspiring anglers of the grand
tournament and give instructions. At the appropriate time, the shout
will ring out across Stranglethorn to bait your hooks and cast your
lines!
Will you be the
master fisherman that gathers the necessary amount of tastyfish to win
the grand prize? Can you reel in the right fish to receive some of
famous Nat Pagle's fabulous fishing equipment? Will the Lucky Fishing
Hat make its triumphant return onto the heads of anglers everywhere?
You'll soon find out!
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