Fishing in Far Cry 5 provides a nice relaxing break from post-apocalyptic warfare. People can kick back and try their luck at the many lakes on the map. The surprisingly controversial pastime is one of the most enjoyable features of the game. To have success as an angler, there are a ton of things players need to know. There are a total of four fishing rods that can be unlocked, and each upgraded rod has a higher chance of hooking and catching a monster fish.
In order to get the Old Betsy Fishing Rod, players will have to beat every state fishing record in Far Cry 5. Gamers will need to know how to get an upgraded rod, as well as where and how to fish in order to unlock the best rod in the game. Here are a few tips to help anglers on this quest.
Updated on September 29, 2021 by Payton Lott: This updated guide includes a few additional tips to help anglers catch the biggest fish possible. Players will need to avoid a few hazards in the water if they want to reel in a trophy catch. Watch out for bears and use the advanced methods at the end of this guide to become a master fisherman in Far Cry 5. By creating a platform, people can catch bigger fish faster and finish all of the challenges in no time. Those that do not want to set up a platform can use another hidden strategy to reel quicker.
Getting The First Three Rods
The basic fishing rod can be found at any of the docks in the game. Once the basic rod is acquired, the upgraded Natural Fishing Rod is available for $800 at any gun shop. Next, gamers will receive the Wonderboy Fishing Rod after they help an NPC named Skylar at the Master Bait Shop. The shop is across the bridge at Widow's Creek.
The principal objective of the final Skylar quest is to catch a giant fish called "The Admiral". Every player that fishes will benefit from the Fisher King perk, which tires fishes more quickly and unlocks the lures for larger species. New fishermen may have some trouble reeling the big creature in, but using the tips below will help. With the Wonderboy Fishing Rod, anglers will be ready to start breaking fishing records in Far Cry 5.
Basic Fishing Tips
There are a few basic tips every player needs to know before they can unlock Old Betsy. After selecting the rod in the menu, players can change the lure by pressing either triangle or Y. Once the correct lure is selected, hold and release the cast button to send out the line. To reel in the line, tap the reel button displayed on the screen.
As soon as the line screams, anglers need to press R2/RT/LM to hook the line and begin reeling. The most important thing to do is move the right stick (or mouse) in the opposite direction that the fish is running. If the fish is running straight ahead, yank the rod directly back. When the line is red, relieve the tension by pointing the rod toward the fish and by not reeling until the line turns yellow again.
People, Objects, And Bears
If any of the above things are in the water, there is a chance the line will get caught on them and break. For that reason, anglers should have a look around before they cast the line out. Bears can appear out of nowhere and prevent the person from reeling in a record fish. Likewise, NPCs seem to love getting in the way. Also, crossing lines with another fisherman has a chance to break the line. If gamers are aware of their surroundings, they will have a lot more success out on the water.
Beating Every Fishing Record In Far Cry 5
There are a total of 12 species of fish in Far Cry 5. To beat each of the records, players must fish at the "Hard" fishing spots on the map. Every region in Far Cry 5 has the same trout records, which are listed below:
- Bull Trout: 21 lbs.
- Golden Trout: 4 lbs.
- Lake Trout: 37 lbs.
- Rainbow Trout: 28 lbs.
The remaining records are specific to a region and are listed below. Salmon are found in the Whitetail Mountains, Bass are found in the Henbane River, and Sturgeon are found in the Holland Valley.
- Arctic Grayling Salmon: 3 lbs.
- Kokanee Salmon: 6 lbs.
- Chinook Salmon: 27 lbs.
- Rock Bass: 3 lbs.
- Smallmouth Bass: 6 lbs.
- Largemouth Bass: 8 lbs.
- Pallid Sturgeon: 55 lbs.
- Paddlefish Sturgeon: 112 lbs.
Every Hard Fish Location
Each of these fish has a higher chance to spawn in specific locations in each region. Likewise, every species will bite a particular lure. With the Fisher King perk, the correct lure will be obvious with Trout, Bass, Sturgeon, or Salmon in the name. The list below includes every fishing location to set a record for each species. The locations below are all of the hard locations on the map, as record-setting fish cannot be caught at locations that are not "Hard" fishing spots.
- Bull Trout: North Langford Lake
- Golden Trout: Silver Lake
- Lake Trout: East Wishbone Lake
- Rainbow Trout: Pond Near Frobisher's Cave
- Arctic Grayling Salmon: Snowshoe Lake
- Kokanee Salmon: East Cedar Lake
- Chinook Salmon: River West Of Landsdowne Airstrip
- Rock Bass: Naturally In The Rock Bass Lake
- Smallmouth Bass: East Henbane River
- Largemouth Bass: North Of the Smallmouth On The Henbane River
- Pallid Sturgeon: River South Of Lamb Of God Church
- Paddlefish Sturgeon: Same River As The Pallid, South Of The Crop Circle
Advanced Fishing Strategies
Anyone having trouble catching record fish should try creating a platform in the center of the body of water with boats. Not only are the biggest fish at the center of lakes and rivers, using the platform makes fish easier to catch. By casting across the platform on one end and walking to the other side once a fish is hooked, gamers will barely have to reel fish in. A similar method combines moving forward and backward to simulate the same trick. Fishers can move forward while reeling to simulate a shortening of the line and stop reeling while backing up. This will pull the fish closer while shortening the line.
Three boats placed side by side will essentially eliminate the need to reel in. By the time the angler reaches the other side of the platform, there is barely any line left. Remember that the line will break if it gets caught under any obstruction. This method requires some patience because of the fragile line, but it will be incredibly beneficial in the end. Another option is to use the wings of a plane by casting on one wing and moving to the other. Below is a summary of the tips to simplify the process.
- Create a platform with boats or a plane in the center of each spot
- Cast from one end of the platform to the other
- Wait for the hook to set and run toward the fish on the other side of the platform
- Reel the fish in while avoiding the hulls of the boats