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Hook, Line, and Liberty: Mastering the Art of Fishing in Far Cry 5

So, you want to know how to catch fish in Far Cry 5? It’s a relaxing break from battling cultists and blowing things up, and it’s also a surprisingly lucrative way to earn cash and Perk Points. Here’s the lowdown: find a body of water, equip your fishing rod, cast your line, and then it’s all about timing and finesse. When you get a tug, hit that trigger button to hook the fish (R2/RT on controllers). Once hooked, hold the reel button (L2/LT on controllers) and fight the fish by pulling the right analog stick away from the direction the fish is pulling. Watch your line! If it turns red, ease off the reeling or risk losing your catch. Let’s dive into the specifics.

The Basics of FC5 Fishing

Finding a Fishing Spot

Not every body of water in Hope County is teeming with fish. Look for designated fishing spots. These are often marked on your map with a fish icon. You can also find them by exploring along rivers, lakes, and streams. Generally, spots near docks or bridges are good bets.

Equipping Your Fishing Rod

Bring up the weapon wheel and switch to your utility items by pressing the designated button. Select the fishing rod. If you don’t have one, you can purchase it from most weapon shops or find one at a fishing spot. After liberating Dutch’s Island, players will be able to explore further and locate areas to fish.

Casting Your Line

Once you have the fishing rod equipped, press the fire button (R2/RT) to cast your line. Try to aim for the center of the fishing spot or where you see fish jumping. The closer you can get to the fish, the better your chances are of successfully catching the fish.

Hooking and Reeling

When you feel a tug on the line, immediately press the hook button (R2/RT). Then, hold the reel button (L2/LT) to start reeling the fish in. Now comes the tricky part: you need to balance reeling with fighting the fish’s resistance.

The Art of the Fight

The key to successful fishing is to pull the right analog stick in the opposite direction that the fish is swimming. If the fish is pulling to the left, pull the stick to the right. If the fish is pulling down, pull the stick up. This tires the fish out and makes it easier to reel in.

Avoiding a Broken Line

Keep a close eye on your fishing line. If it turns red, it means the line is under too much stress. Stop reeling immediately and let the fish run for a bit. Once the line returns to its normal color, you can resume reeling. Patience is key! Your character only catches the fish when they’re close enough to the fish. Stand in the water; as far as you can without going into the swimming animation. Fishing on boats can work too.

Upgrading Your Gear

As you progress, you can upgrade your fishing rod to make it easier to catch bigger fish. The Old Betsy rod is considered the best in the game, offering superior handling, reel speed, and line strength.

Understanding Bait and Lures

Bait Types

The right bait can make a huge difference in what you catch. Far Cry 5 offers several different types of bait:

Basic Mayfly: A good all-around lure for catching most fish.
Bass Popper: Effective for catching larger bass.
Hybrid Sturgeon: Designed to attract sturgeon.
Salmon Egg: Perfect for luring salmon.

Acquiring Bait

You can purchase bait from shops or find it while exploring. Some bait types are also rewards for completing missions. Bait is acquired through skinning animals, except small animals like Birds, Rats, Japaluras, and Snakes.

How to Use Bait

To use bait, hold L1 (or the equivalent button on your platform) and use the right analog stick to select the bait you want to use. Release the buttons, and the bait will be assigned to the R1 button. Press R1 to throw the bait into the water.

Becoming a Master Angler: Tips and Tricks

Listen for the Splash: Pay attention to the sound of the fish striking your line. It’s a crucial cue to hit the hook button.
Use Headphones: Headphones can help you hear the subtle sounds of the fish and the tension on your line.
Master the Timing: The timing of when you hook the fish and when you reel is essential. Practice makes perfect.
Fish at Different Times of Day: Some fish are more active at certain times of day. Experiment to find the best times to fish for specific species.
Don’t Give Up: Fishing can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to catch a record-sized fish. But don’t give up! Keep practicing, and you’ll eventually land that trophy catch.
Perk Points: Fishing is also a great way to earn perk points in Far Cry 5. To increase your earning potential, consider investing in the Fisher King perk, which allows you to automatically acquire all types of fish and increases the value of fish you sell.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I know if I caught a record fish in Far Cry 5?

Go to the region’s HQ and look on the board. The HQ locations are Fall’s End, Hope County Jail, and Wolf’s Den. In Holland Valley, go to the bar in Falls End. There is a board on the wall where you can see the records to beat.

2. Why can’t I catch a fish in Far Cry 5?

Your character only catches the fish when they’re close enough to the fish. Stand in the water; as far as you can without going into the swimming animation. My friend also likes to fish on boats, which can work too.

3. What is the biggest fish you can catch in Far Cry 5?

The two sturgeons in the game are the largest fishes on the record, and both of them can be quite a chore to catch if the player doesn’t know where to go. To make things easier on themselves, the player should just head south from the Lamb of God church. The water body they reach houses this massive 55-pounder.

4. How do you bait in Far Cry 5?

Hold L1 and use the right analog to highlight the bait. Once you do that, let go of the buttons. The bait will now be assigned to your R1 button, so you can press R1 to throw it when you need to.

5. What is the best bait for fishing in Far Cry 5?

Basic Mayfly: Can catch most fish, good all around lure.
Bass Popper: Used to catch larger bass, but works with other fish too.
Hybrid Sturgeon: Attracts heavier Sturgeon, but can also be used to catch other fish.
Salmon Egg: Can bring in big Salmon, but works with other fish as well.

6. What is the best fishing rod in Far Cry 5?

Out of the four available fishing rods, the Old Betsy is the best of the bunch. It offers the best handling, good reel speed, and the best line strength, which will come in handy when you want to catch some bigger fish.

7. How do you get Ragnar the Terrible?

The female soldier wants The Junior Deputy to catch Ragnar the Terrible, an albino paddlefish. Take a boat to the island, then locate the fishing pole. Players aren’t required to use it if they have better, but are still required to find and pick it up. Catch the fish to complete the mission.

8. Can you fish anywhere in Far Cry 5?

After liberating Dutch’s Island, players will be able to explore further and locate areas to fish. Unfortunately, though, players will not be able to just fish anywhere there’s water. They will need to locate (or purchase) a fishing rod, and fish in designated areas.

9. What type of fish can you catch in Far Cry 5?

You can catch a wide variety of fish, including: Bull Trout, Kokanees, Arctic Graylings, Golden Trout, Rock Bass, Smallmouths, Largemouths, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout. Check the Hunting Challenges for a comprehensive list.

10. Where is the bait shop in Far Cry 5?

Head on down to Dylan’s Master Bait Shop (it’s in between the South Park Entrance and the Silver Lake Parking Lot).

11. Where can I find bass in Far Cry 5?

Smallmouth Bass – 6lbs – North of Jessop Conservatory (next to Clutch Nixon race)
Largemouth Bass – 8lbs – South of Noland’s Fly Shop.
Rock Bass – 3lbs – East of Jones Residence.

12. Is fishing good in Far Cry 5?

As many people from Hope County will tell you, fishing is a relaxing diversion from the troubles in the valley. Additionally, you can earn money and Perk Points this way! To fish, you will need a fishing rod.

13. What animal is worth the most in Far Cry 5?

We’ve found a Far Cry 5 hunting location — the Harris residence — where you can make about $10,000 every 20 minutes or less (based on your skills and spawn luck). And it includes hares, the most valuable animal in Far Cry 5.

14. Where is the best fishing spot in Far Cry 5?

Rainbow Trout – On the western bank of the river directly in the center of the map of Far Cry 5, directly east from Rae-Rae’s Pumpkin Farm.
Pallid Sturgeon – Hit the river directly below Rye & Son’s Aviation, and then head east until the river forks, with the fishing spot being on your left.

15. What are some resources about gaming and learning?

There are fantastic organizations dedicated to the study of the intersection of learning and video games. Consider visiting GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more!

Final Thoughts

Fishing in Far Cry 5 is more than just a minigame; it’s an opportunity to relax, explore the beautiful world of Hope County, and earn valuable resources. Master the techniques, experiment with different baits, and upgrade your gear to become the ultimate angler. Happy fishing!

How do you catch fish in fc5?