How to Fish in Crimson Desert (Quick & Easy Guide)

Fishing in Crimson Desert is one of the slower, more relaxing activities that fits perfectly into the game’s world. It’s a simple lifestyle skill that not only gives you a break from combat, but also provides useful materials for cooking and helps fill out your knowledge section in your journal as you explore. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for an easy way to gather resources, here’s a quick guide to how fishing works.

You can start fishing either by buying a fishing rod and jumping right in, or by following a quest that will give you one for free early on.

If you prefer to buy a rod, open your map and head to this location in the starter city of Hernand.

You’ll be looking for a vendor by the name of Alden. He sells a variety of tools, including a fishing rod, which you can purchase for 15 copper.

If you would rather get a fishing rod for free, you will need to pick up Annabella’s request. You can start it by either speaking directly with Annabella or by receiving her request from the notice board in the starter city. Both options will have you speak with Annabella.

She is located on the outskirts of the starter city in Hernand. Her exact location is shown below.

Once you speak with Annabella, she will gift you a fishing rod so you can catch her a Tench. This is where your fishing journey begins!

Go ahead and head to the closest river, located to the northeast. Once there, you will need to equip your fishing rod. Once properly equipped, it will show up on your back.

I am using a PS5 controller, so those are the controls I will be referencing. To cast your line into the water, hold L2. Find the spot where you want to throw your line, then release L2.

Wait for a fish to bite the line. Once a fish bites, tap R2 to hook it. Once the fish is successfully hooked, pay attention to which direction it swims. If it goes to the right, pull your line to the left. If the fish swims to the left, pull your line to the right. This will eventually tire the fish out. Once the fish is tired and stays steady in one spot, begin to reel it in by rotating the right stick in a clockwise motion.

This pattern may continue depending on what kind of fish you are catching. Continue this pattern if applicable. If not, the fish should be able to reel all the way in, resulting in a successful catch. It will then show you what type of fish you caught along with a short description.

You can then choose to keep it, which will go into your inventory, or release it back into the water. I would recommend, especially early in the game, keeping any fish you catch, as you can use them for cooking or even sell some of them for a decent price.

Any new fish that you catch will be added to the Knowledge section in your journal. For collectors, this will be worthwhile as well!

Eventually, you should be able to catch a Tench for Annabella. Once you complete the quest, you will, on top of getting to keep the free fishing rod, also receive a medium bag (which gives you three extra inventory spaces, I believe) and a dried fish. Very worth doing!

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