Fishing

[Wrathofgod]

Well then, I believe I have come to the right place. I would just like to know if there's any fishing guides or pages where I can actually find "Time-to-skill" sort of information. That is to say... I have read multiple posts and guides on many a website and have yet to find an actual "...It might take about... to lvl fishing from 0-...." comment. Any information would be great even if its only to tell me that there is no such information.

Thank you,

WoGgles

[Ninjadik]

Depends on which route you take. You can skill up to 20+ fishing to fatigue in about 1-2 weeks going from crayfish>moats>cheval salmon. You just have to target the right fish and make sure you are targetting those fish alone. Of course like every craft, it slows down dramatically and it took me another 6 months or so to get to 58 but I also focused more on getting lu shangs then actual skilling up. I heard somewhere 90+ you will be lucky to get a .1 once per week depending... its all situational though really...

[Wrathofgod]

Thanks much, i'm actually trying to get myself to the Pirate's Chart Quest as quickly as possible so I won't likely be taking it much farther than 40. Appreciate the info.

[Ninjadik]

Why didn't you just say so -_-

Here are the areas and rod/bait combinations that I would suggest if you are trying to skill up to 50 as quickly as possible. There are many alternatives for each level listed below due to the large number of target fish capable of skilling you up, but these options do thin out a little as your fishing level increases. Again, there are even more alternatives available that aren't listed below, so feel free to try them out, but in my opinion these are the best options.

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Level 0-11
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Target Fish: Crayfish (0/7), Moat Carp (0/11)
Location: Bastok Markets (Waterway), Eastern Altepa Desert, Jugner Forest (Lake/River), Korroloka Tunnel (Pond), La Theine Plateau, North San d'Oria, Rabao, Rolanberry Fields (Pond), West Ronfaure, West Ronfaure (Knightwell), West Saratubaruta (Pond), Windurst (Walls/Waters/Woods), Yhoator Jungle (Underground), Zeruhn Mines (River)
Rod: Carbon, Clothespole, Composite, Fastwater, Glass Fiber, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran, Single Hook, Tarutaru, Willow, Yew
Bait: Little Worm, Robber Rig, Rogue Rig
Outdoor areas yield better Carp rates than cities, but at the increased risk of broken poles and caught monsters. Knightwell is my personal favorite for this stretch with good bite rates and easy access to Little Worms (purchased from Lusiane at F-8 in South San d'Oria), as well as quick Moat Carp turn ins. Tricolored Carp, Gold Carp, and Giant Catfish can break Carbon/Hume Rods, so you will most likely be better off using the Mithran/Halcyon, but be aware that the occasional Arrowhead Log in Jugner Forest, West Ronfaure, or the jungles could snap it. If you are concerned about rod breaks use the Composite. Be aware that fishing in higher level zones usually means that you can catch higher level monsters. You can catch mobs that range up to level 53 in Yhoator Jungle, 51 in Eastern Altepa Desert, 37 in Korroloka Tunnel Pond, and 36 in Rolanberry Fields, so plan on Sneak/Stamina Fishing in these locations if monsters in this level range pose a serious threat. In all other outdoor areas the fishable mobs are under level 30. Once you reach level 7 fishing skill, you should consider switching from Little Worms to Insect Balls in order to isolate Moat Carp.

Favorite Setup: Hume Rod + Little Worm at Knightwell (G-10) in West Ronfaure cancelling all catches followed by three exclamation marks (!!!) since they are either Arrowwood Logs or monsters. At level 7 fishing skill switch to Insect Balls.

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Level 11-17
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Target Fish: Yellow Globe (2/17), Cone Calamary (33/48)
Location: Qufim Island (North)
Rod: Bamboo, Carbon, Clothespole, Composite, Fastwater, Glass Fiber, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran, Single Hook, Tarutaru, Willow, Yew
Bait: Sabiki Rig
Both Yellow Globe and Cone Calamary sell for a decent profit on most servers since they are used in popular Alchemy and Cooking recipes, and using the Sabiki Rig (which can be purchased from the Fishing Guild at C-8 in Port Windurst for about ~$2,394 gil) to target them will actually allow you to catch multiple fish at the same time, which can increase your profits and how often you get skillups. Unfortunately, Qufim Island North can be a pretty dangerous place for lower level fishers, especially at night or during lightning storms when elementals tend to hang around the cliffs. Catchable mobs in Qufim range up to level 40, so plan accordingly.

Favorite Setup: Halcyon Rod + Sabiki Rig at the cliffs (G-6) in Qufim Island North cancelling all catches followed by three exclamation marks (!!!) since they are monsters.

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Level 11-19
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Target Fish: Quus (4/19)
Location: Bibiki Bay (Purgonorgo Isle), Den of Rancor, East/West Sarutabaruta (Sea), Ferry (Normal), Ferry (Pirates), Kazham, Korroloka Tunnel (Pond/River), Lower Jeuno, Manaclipper (Dhamel Rock), Manaclipper (Dhamal Rock/Maliyakaleya Reef), Norg, Port Bastok, Port Windurst, Sea Serpent Grotto (Lake), Selbina, South Gustaberg, Valkurm Dunes
Rod: Bamboo, Carbon, Clothespole, Composite, Fastwater, Glass Fiber, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran, Single Hook, Tarutaru, Willow, Yew
Bait: Lugworm, Sabiki Rig
Quus bite frequently even in the cities, and once again using the Sabiki Rig to target them will actually allow you to catch multiple fish at the same time, which can increase how often you get skillups. Port Windurst is a good place to skillup at this point in your fishing career since the close proximity of the Fishing Guild will allow you to get Advanced Support from the guild NPCs, which can make the early levels noticably easier. You will also catch Bastore Sardines with this setup, and while they won't be able to skill you up past level 10, you can turn them in to Tokaka at C-8 in Port Windurst for some gil and a little fame. If you would like to isolate Quus and avoid catching Bastore Sardines, use Sardine Balls, but you will miss out on catching multiple Quus at once, so it is a bit of a trade off. Since Port Windurst is a city you do not have to worry about catching monsters here.

Favorite Setup: Halcyon Rod + Sabiki Rig at the docks (C-8) in Port Windurst.

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Level 0-19
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Target Fish: Cobalt Jellyfish (0/5), Bastore Sardine (0/10), Greedie (0/14), Quus (4/19)
Location: Selbina
Rod: Bamboo, Carbon, Composite, Glass Fiber, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran, Tarutaru
Bait: Lugworm
You can purchase Lugworms for about 12 gil from any of the merchants listed here. Using this setup you will have five target fish capable of skilling you up (six if you count Fat Greedies, which are a semi rare catch but can skill you up to 23), which makes Selbina a very good place to start your fishing career if you don't mind the inconvenience of being so far from your Moogle or an Auction House. However, as your fishing skill increases fewer target fish will be capable of skilling you up, so feel free to try one of the other locations if you need a change of scenery, or you can try to isolate Quus in one of the locations mentioned above by switching to Sardine Balls. Most of these target fish and Rusty Subligar can break a Carbon/Hume Rod, so Mithran/Halcyon is your best bet here. And of course since Selbina is a city you do not have to worry about catching any monsters.

Favorite Setup: Halcyon Rod + Lugworm near Isacio (G-10) in Selbina.

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Level 11-21
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Target Fish: Cheval Salmon
Location: East Ronfaure, Jugner Forest (River)
Rod: Carbon, Clothespole, Composite, Fastwater, Glass Fiber, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran, Single Hook, Tarutaru
Bait: Fly Lure, Minnow, Sinking Minnow, Trout Ball
If you went the Crayfish/Moat Carp route in Knightwell and you aren't too tired of Ronfaure yet, you might think about river fishing for Cheval Salmon. However, there is only one target fish capable of skilling you up using this set up, which means you would most likely be able to level fishing a little faster elsewhere. But Cheval Salmon are easy to catch and bite pretty frequently, so I am including them as an alternative. Salmon can snap Carbon/Hume, so Mithran/Halcyon will offer the best catch rate without breaks, provided you are able to recognize and avoid Arrowwood Logs. You won't catch any mobs in Jugner Forest River, and all fishable monsters in East Ronfaure are less than level 12 or so.

Favorite Setup: Halcyon Rod + Fly Lure near the waterfall (I-8) in East Ronfaure cancelling all catches followed by three exclamation marks (!!!) since they are either Arrowwood Logs or monsters.

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Level 19-27
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Target Fish: Nebimonite (12/27)
Location: Ferry (Normal), Ferry (Pirates), Sea Serpent Grotto (Lake)
Rod: Carbon, Composite, Fastwater, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran, Tarutaru
Bait: Crayfish Ball, Peeled Lobster, Shrimp Lure, Rogue Rig
There is nothing like fishing on the Ferry. Let's be honest, fishing is not really that thrilling, but Pirate attacks, random monsters appearing on deck, and the deadly Sea Horror will keep you as entertained as possible. The lake in Sea Serpent Grotto boasts its share of deadly mobs and excitement as well, and both locations are excellent for catching Nebimonite. Even though Nebs are the only target fish likely to skill you up consistently using this setup in either location, they bite very frequently (especially in Sea Serpent Grotto), are easy to catch, and sell very quickly for a good profit on the Auction House. Mithran/Halcyon is the rod of choice in both locations, but large fish in both places and Coral Fragments in Sea Serpent Grotto are capable of snapping it. In addition, if you plan on using a Shrimp Lure in either locatation, be aware that you run the risk of losing your lure to the occassional line snap from Coral Fragments in Sea Serpent Grotto and Noble Lady on the Ferry (which are very profitable and cap at 66) even when the stamina bar is completely depleted. If you can't seem to deplete the stamina bar no matter how hard you try, simply press Esc or do not press Enter after getting the "You don't know how much longer you can keep this one on the line" message. If you fish from the Ferry you can catch monsters as high as level 28, and the fishable mobs In Sea Serpent Grotto range all the way up to 67, while the lake itself is surrounded by mobs that will aggro anyone below level 59, so plan on Sneak/Stamina Fishing and being extremely careful.

Favorite Setup: Halcyon Rod + Shrimp Lure on the Selbina-Mhaura Ferry cancelling all catches followed by three exclamation marks (!!!) since they are either large fish or monsters.

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Level 19-29
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Target Fish: Pipira (14/29)
Location: East Sarutabaruta (Lake), Windurst Walls, Windurst Waters, Windurst Woods, Yhoator Jungle (Pond), Yuhtunga Jungle (Pond)
Rod: Carbon, Clothespole, Composite, Fastwater, Glass Fiber, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran, Single Hook, Tarutaru, Willow, Yew
Bait: Frog Lure, Lizard Lure, Meat Ball, Minnow, Rogue Rig, Slice of Carp
Pipira seem to be the Guild Fish of the Day often, and fortunately they bite frequently and are relatively easy to pull in. Rusty Subligar (which are found in all of the above areas except Port Windurst and Yhoator Jungle Pond) can snap the Carbon/Hume rods, so the Mithran/Halcyon is your best bet here, though you do have to watch out for Arrowwood Logs in Yuhtunga Jungle (Pond). Once again you do not have to worry about monsters in the cities, but the fishable mobs in the jungles range up to level 55.

Favorite Setup: Halcyon Rod + Minnow at the docks behind the Rhinostery (K-8) in Windurst Waters.

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Level 11-33
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Target Fish: Tricolored Carp (12/27), Dark Bass (18/33), Gold Carp (41/56)
Location: Davoi (Pond), Jugner Forest (Lake)
Rod: Carbon, Clothespole, Composite, Fastwater, Glass Fiber, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran, Single Hook, Tarutaru, Willow, Yew
Bait: Little Worm, Insect Ball, Robber Rig, Rogue Rig
By far one of the best fishing locations in the game, the lake in Jugner Forest is very active, offers frequent bites, and allows you to target multiple fish for fast skillups. Using Little Worms is your cheapest option in terms of bait, but you will also catch many Crayfish. Use Insect Balls for better Moat Carp bite rates if you are willing to shell out some additional gil or can craft them yourself. Gold Carps will be rare, but are still catchable even 23-45 levels under the cap. Here again Tricolored Carp and Gold Carp can break Carbon/Hume Rods, so you will most likely be better off using the Mithran/Halcyon, but be aware that the occasional Arrowhead Log in Jugner Forest could snap it. If you are concerned about rod breaks, use the Composite. Monsters range up to level 47 in Davoi, but only 29 in Jugner.

Favorite Setup: Halcyon Rod + Insect Balls at Lake Mechieume (H-5) in Jugner Forest cancelling all catches followed by three exclamation marks (!!!) since they are either Arrowwood Logs or monsters.

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Level 27-33
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Target Fish: Giant Catfish (16/31), Dark Bass (18/33)
Location: Bastok Markets (Storage of Water), Carpenter's Landing (Central), Davoi (Pond), Giddeus (Pond), La Theine Plateau, Rolanberry Fields (Lake), West Sarutabaruta (Pond)
Rod: Carbon, Clothespole, Composite, Fastwater, Glass Fiber, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran, Single Hook, Tarutaru, Willow, Yew
Bait: Frog Lure, Minnow, Robber Rig, Rogue Rig, Sinking Minnow, Trout Ball
After you hit 27 you will most likely want to begin isolating Giant Catfish and Dark Bass by switching to the Frog Lure, and if you fish with this setup in Davoi (Pond), Giddeus (Pond), La Theine Plateau, or the lake in Rolanberry Fields, you will also catch Red Terrapin, which cap at 53 and can provide occassional skillups. Be aware that you can catch Arrowwood Logs in Carpenter's Landing (Central), which can snap the Mithran/Halcyon, and monsters in these areas can range up to level 47, so plan accordingly.

Favorite Setup: Mithran + Frog Lure at the unnamed lakes in La Theine Plateau cancelling all Arrowwood Logs or monsters.

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Level 27-35
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Target Fish: Crystal Bass (20/35)
Location: Jugner Forest (Crystal Spring), Sanctuary of Zi'tah
Rod: Carbon, Composite, Glass Fiber, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran, Tarutaru
Bait: Frog Lure, Insect Ball, Little Worm, Lizard Lure, Minnow, Peeled Crayfish, Rogue Rig, Sinking Minnow, Trout Ball, Worm Lure
Crystal Bass bite pretty frequently, and you can isolate them if you fish in the Crystal Spring using any of the bait recommended above, which means you won't waste your time fighting to bring in fish that are not capable of skilling you up. Crystal Bass could snap the Carbon/Hume rods, so once again the Mithran/Halcyon is your best bet, though you will have to watch out for Arrowwood Logs in both Jugner and the Sanctuary of Zi'tah. Monsters range up to level 29 in Jugner, and as high as the 50s in the Sanctuary, so plan on Sneak/Stamina fishing if monsters of this level pose a serious threat.

Favorite Setup: Halcyon Rod + Insect Balls at the Crystal Spring (J-9) in Jugner Forest cancelling all catches followed by three exclamation marks (!!!) since they are Arrowwood Logs or monsters.

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Level 27-39
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Target Fish: Tiger Cod (14/29), Nosteau Herring (24/39)
Location: Qufim Island (North), Quifim Island (South), Quifim Island (Ice Pond)
Rod: Carbon, Composite, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran
Bait: Lugworm, Shrimp Lure
You can purchase Lugworms for about 12 gil from any of the merchants listed here, or you can try your luck with a Shrimp Lure, though you will need to be careful not to try and reel in any Black Soles since they could break a Mithran/Halcyon or Carbon/Hume, or snap your line and cost you your lure. Mythril Swords can also break Carbons/Humes or Mithrans/Halcyons so avoid reeling in items as well, though they are very rare catches. Tiger Cod sell fairly quickly on the Jueno Auction House since they are an ingredient in Sliced Cod, which higher level fishers use to target Three-eyed Fish and Black Sole in Qufim Island South. Herring are virtually worthless, but at least they will skill you up. Catchable mobs range up to 40 in Qufim, so plan accordingly.

Favorite Setup: Halcyon Rod + Shrimp Lure at the cliffs (H-9) in Quifim Island (South) cancelling Black Sole since they can snap the Halcyon, and all catches followed by three exclamation marks (!!!) since they are monsters.

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Level 33-37
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Target Fish: Shining Trout (22/37)
Location: Carpenter's Landing (North), Carpenter's Landing (South), East Ronfaure, Ghelsba Outpost, Jugner Forest (River), Phanauet Channel (North -> Central)
Rod: Carbon, Composite, Fastwater, Glass Fiber, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran, Tarutaru
Bait: Fly Lure, Minnow, Sinking Minnow, Trout Ball, Rogue Rig
If you've been fishing in Jugner Forest things will slow down a little as you move away from the lake due to fewer target fish with the potential for skill ups, but at least Shining Trout bite fairly frequently, though they do seem to put up a pretty good fight for their level. Carbon/Hume Rods can break on Shining Trout, so again the Mithran/Halcyon is the rod of choice though there is still a chance of breaks on the occasional Arrowhead Log. You do not have to worry about catching monsters in Jugner Forest (River) though they can be fished up in every other location. If you have the COP expansion, Carpenter's Landing (North) is the best place to target Shining Trout since you can isolate them and avoid catching Cheval Salmon, and it is easily accessible through the large wooden door at F-5 in North San d'Oria. Once you zone into Carpenter's Landing, just head southeast and you'll be at the Channel in no time, but be aware that you can catch Arrowwood Logs and monsters here.

Favorite Setup: Halcyon Rod + Fly Lure in the channel (H-8) in Carpenter's Landing (North) cancelling all catches followed by three exclamation marks (!!!) since they are Arrowwood Logs or monsters.

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Level 33-39
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Target Fish: Nosteau Herring (24/39)
Location: Batallia Downs, Lower Jeuno, Port Jeuno, Qufim Island (Ice Pond), Qufim Island (North), Qufim Island (South)
Rod: Carbon, Composite, Fastwater, Halcyon, Hume, Mithran
Bait: Lugworm, Sardine Ball, Shrimp Lure
I personally hate these fish, but only because they bite very often on the Shrimp Lure in Quifim when I'm actually trying to catch Tiger Cod so I can synthesize some Sliced Cod and get back to catching Black Sole and Three-eyed Fish. But all you really need to know at this stage of your fishing career is that Nosteau Herring bite often on Shrimp Lures in Quifim. Black Sole and a few items can break the Mithran/Halcyon, so if you plan on using one you will need to pay pretty close attention and have enough fishing experience to know when you have landed an item so you can press Esc and save your rod. At this level you should have serious difficulty bringing in a Black Sole, so here again you will want to hit Esc as soon as you realize one has caught the hook to save your rod. Catchable monsters range up to 40 in Batallia Downs and North/South Quifim. You do not have to worry about monsters in Lower/Port Jeuno, though the bite rate is generally not as good in these areas.

Favorite Setup: Halcyon Rod + Shrimp Lure at the cliffs (H-9) in Quifim Island (South) cancelling Black Sole since they can snap the Halcyon, and all catches followed by three exclamation marks (!!!) since they are monsters.

Taken from : http://www.finalfishing.com/Guide.aspx

[cdgreg]

http://www.bluegartr.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49347

that seems to be the resident fishing thread where most people post their fishing Q's.

[Darwinion]

Ninjadik just posted the first part of the single best fishing guide for FFXI ever written. And it was originally on Alla too!

[Kyreth]

An alternative to 27-39's cod/herring fishing can simply be parking your butt on the Port Bastok docks. Sardine paste targets them and only them, and I was just yanking in one after another with Halycon Rod with a nice skillup rate and the only annoyance being the rare snapped line. No monsters, very few junk pulls, and herrings can be pretty darn playful on the line so it wasn't boring. The bite rate was much higher than I expected given the guide above- maybe bait > lure in that regard?

They say herrings aren't profitable, but if you cook it actually vendors respectably considering the extra ingredients are minor stuff. Dried Majoram and Rock Salt + Ice crystal, cap at cooking skill 46. If you're a cooking/fishing leveler, sardine paste is cap 31- so you can make your bait, save up the herrings, and then go nuts on a cheap cooking synth when you're close enough to 46 to make it matter.