Fishing in Crimson Desert is a quick and (mostly) easy(ish) way to expand your ingredient selection and cook better meals or, in a pinch, to pad your pockets. Not that Crimson Desert bothers to tell you how to fish. Like most other systems in the game, you can go for a long time without even knowing fishing is possible.
Below, we explain how to fish in Crimson Desert, including where to get a fishing rod and how to cast your line.
Where to get a fishing rod in Crimson Desert
The fastest way to get a fishing rod is to just buy one. You can purchase a rod from the provisioner’s shop in Hernand, east of Oakenshield Manor, for 15 pieces of copper. It seems like every provisioner has one for sale, so if you’re reading this in Demeniss or Tashkalp, you don’t have to go back to Hernand just to get your rod.
It’s also possible there’s a quest that rewards you with a free fishing rod, like with the axe and some other tools. But if so, we haven’t found it yet.
How to fish in Crimson Desert
Fishing is a multi-step process and one that’s also a bit random. Crimson Desert treats your fishing rod as a ranged weapon, so you’ll have to open the equipment menu and swap it in place of your bow (or other ranged weapon). Approach a body of water, and hold the button or key you’d use for ranged combat.
Aim the cursor where you want it the hook to go, and then release the button to cast. When you’re ready to move or reel in the line, press the button again. Now, you can move the line around, reel it in, or stop fishing.
When a fish bites, press RT/R2 or the keyboard equivalent to hook the fish. You can let go of that button after the initial press. Then, rotate the right analog stick (or follow the keyboard prompt) to begin reeling the fish in, moving your cursor in the direction opposite of which the fish is pulling (so, move right if the fish is pulling left). Eventually, your line will snap or you’ll reel the fish in.
The line is incredibly fragile initially, so you might run into frustration more often than you land a catch. Stick with it, though, and you’ll soon fill your pockets with fish. Upgrade your fishing rod, too.
For more help in Crimson Desert, check out our Dragon Stone Chamber puzzle solution guide, along with how to clear the fog from Crimson Desert’s map. We’ve also got tips for tracking down the Blix bounty and Bianca bounty, if you’re struggling with those.