First rod setup
Beginner, by Starter desk, patch 1.12. All builds
Made for: A brand-new save's first hour
Simple Fishing Rod, No lure (Default), Worms, Freshwater
| Fish | Chance per bite |
|---|---|
| Salmon | 7.66% |
| Largemouth Bass | 7.61% |
| Rainbow Trout | 7.10% |
| Carp | 6.79% |
| Bluegill | 5.87% |
| Perch | 5.87% |
| Walleye | 5.87% |
| Goldfish | 5.67% |
| Crayfish | 4.09% |
| Drum | 4.09% |
| Crab | 3.32% |
| Guppy | 3.32% |
| Snail | 3.06% |
| Koi | 2.91% |
| Crappie | 2.81% |
| Bowfin | 2.55% |
| Pike | 2.55% |
| Frog | 2.04% |
| Leech | 2.04% |
| Treasure Chest | 2.00% |
| Catfish | 1.79% |
| Toad | 1.79% |
| Turtle | 1.79% |
| Muskellunge | 1.48% |
| Sturgeon | 1.02% |
| Branch | 0.83% |
| Drink Rings | 0.83% |
| Plastic Bag | 0.83% |
| Soda Can | 0.83% |
| Weed | 0.83% |
| Old Boot | 0.41% |
| Bone | 0.21% |
| Diamond | 0.15% |
The loadout
The Simple Fishing Rod costs $1 and catches everything in the lake table. Worms are free at the campfire restock, and Freshwater holds the densest low-tier rolls: Lake Bass lands 6.38 catches per cast cycle for $40 each, $255 expected per cast before upgrades.
First upgrade: the buddy
At $200 the freshwater Fish Trap (the buddy) fishes its water type while you fish yours: same lake table, no bait cost, never hooks rain fish or junk. It pays for itself in under a Bass-hour of play and keeps earning while you chase quests. Water-type scope and upgrade ladders: the catch-pipeline guide.
Then what
Bank toward Crickets ($100 license, $20 restock) once the trap runs; the quality step from Worms opens Shining catches, which is where the journal's second row starts filling.