Money Guide

How to Fish Money-Making Strategies

Proven methods to earn coins fast — from early game to endgame farming.

Coins are the primary currency in How to Fish. You need them for gear upgrades, weapons, boats, explosives, and everything else. This guide covers the most efficient money-making methods at every stage of the game.

Early Game Money (First 2 Hours)

Basic Fishing

Your first coins come from simply catching and selling fish. Walk to the water, cast your line, reel in fish, and sell them at the merchant. This is slow but reliable.

Expected Income: 50-100 coins per hour

Trick Shot Fishing

Once you understand the casting mechanics, start incorporating trick shots. A single-bounce trick shot earns 1.5x the normal value. Double bounces earn 2x. Triple bounces or more earn 3x. The trick shot multiplier system is the backbone of fast progression — it is the difference between struggling for coins and printing them.

Expected Income: 100-200 coins per hour

Quest Completion

Talk to every NPC on the island. Many give quests with coin rewards that far exceed what you would earn fishing for the same amount of time. The Lighthouse Keeper and the Lady in the forest both have lucrative quests worth doing every time they appear.

Mid Game Money (Hours 2-5)

Rare Fish Farming

With an upgraded rod, you can catch rare fish that sell for much more than common catches. Fish in the best spots on your current island and sell everything.

Expected Income: 300-500 coins per hour

Gambling

The in-game casino lets you wager your coins for a chance to multiply them. Roulette and slot machines are available at gambling stations. This is risky but can be very profitable if you are strategic. Only gamble with coins you can afford to lose.

Expected Income: Variable — can double your money or lose it all

Boss Farming

Once you can defeat bosses reliably, farming them for loot drops is one of the best money sources. Boss loot sells for high values and some drops are worth keeping.

Expected Income: 500-1,000 coins per hour

Late Game Money (Hours 5+)

Legendary Fish Farming

With endgame gear, you can consistently catch legendary and mythic fish. These sell for thousands of coins each.

Expected Income: 2,000-5,000 coins per hour

Rare Variant Hunting

Rare fish variants sell for 5-10x the normal price. The rarest variants like Golden, Albino, and Phantom versions of fish can reach extremely high values. Hunting specific rare variants in optimal conditions is the most profitable activity in the game.

Expected Income: 5,000-10,000 coins per hour

Trick Shot Combos

Advanced trick shot techniques with multiple bounces and precision landings can earn 3-5x normal fishing income. Master players earn the most coins through creative casting. The key is experimenting with angles, surfaces, and distances to find the highest-value trick shot patterns.

Advanced Strategies

Money Route by Stage

The most efficient approach varies by your current gear. In the early game, focus on basic fishing and trick shots. In the mid game, prioritize boss farming and rare fish. In the late game, hunt rare variants and execute perfect trick shot combos.

Gambling Strategy

The casino offers roulette and slot machines. For roulette, betting on green gives the highest multiplier but the lowest probability. A common strategy is to bet small on red or black to build up a bankroll, then go all-in on green for a shot at the 7x multiplier.

Co-op Multipliers

Playing with friends is not just more fun — it is more profitable. Four players can coordinate to cover more fishing spots, share quest objectives, and split the cost of expensive gear. The social element of co-op makes long farming sessions much more bearable.

Money-Making Tips

  • Sell immediately in the early game — hoarding fish delays your upgrades
  • Prioritize rod upgrades — better rods catch more valuable fish
  • Learn trick shots early — the sooner you master them, the more coins you earn
  • Gamble cautiously — only bet what you can afford to lose
  • Farm bosses once you can beat them consistently
  • Play co-op — four players earn money four times faster
  • Check shop prices — some items have better value than others
  • Track rare spawns — use the bestiary to note when and where rare fish appear
  • Upgrade boat engine — faster travel means more fishing time
  • Watch for events — limited-time events sometimes offer bonus coin multipliers