How to Fish — Beginner Guide

Welcome to How to Fish, the chaotic physics-based fishing simulator by Dazed Games. You and up to three friends were drinking on a boat when you crashed into a small island. Now you are stranded with no gear, no weapons, and no way home. Your only option? Learn how to fish.

This guide covers everything you need to survive your first hour and set yourself up for long-term success.

Basic Controls

How to Fish uses simple controls but the physics engine makes every action feel weighty and satisfying.

• Cast Line: Hold the left mouse button to charge your cast, then release. The trajectory matters — this is a physics game, not a power bar.
• Reel In: When a fish bites, hold the left mouse button to reel. Watch the tension meter — too much tension snaps your line.
• Move: Use WASD to walk around the island.
• Interact: Press E to talk to NPCs, open shops, and interact with objects.
• Inventory: Press TAB to open your inventory and manage your gear.
• Drop Fish: Press G to drop a fish you are carrying.
• Sprint: Hold Shift to run faster.

How to Fish — The New Stranded Co-Op Fishing Game With Ammo

Your First Hour

When you first spawn on the island, you have nothing. Here is the optimal first-hour plan:

Step 1: Learn to Fish

Walk to the water’s edge and equip your starter rod. Hold the left mouse button to charge your cast — the angle and power determine where your line lands. Watch for the bite indicator, then reel in carefully. The physics-based reeling system means you need to manage tension: hold to reel, release when tension gets too high.

Step 2: Sell Your Catch

Every fish you catch can be sold for coins. Find the merchant NPC on the island and sell everything you catch in the early game. Do not hoard fish — cash is king for progression.

Step 3: Buy Better Gear

Use your earnings to buy a better fishing rod from the shop. Better rods have higher catch rates, better tension management, and can handle bigger fish. This is the single most important upgrade in the early game.

Step 4: Learn Trick Shots

Trick shots are the secret to fast money. Instead of casting straight into the water, try bouncing your line off rocks, curving around obstacles, or hitting distant targets. Successful trick shots earn bonus coins — sometimes doubling or tripling your normal earnings.

Step 5: Explore

Once you have basic gear and some coins, start exploring the island. Talk to NPCs for quests, find hidden fishing spots, and look for boss markers.

Fishing Mechanics Explained

The fishing system in How to Fish is physics-based, which means your cast trajectory, reel timing, and line tension all matter.

Casting

Your cast follows a realistic arc. Aiming higher sends your line further, while a low cast lands close to shore. Different fish spawn at different distances, so learning to control your cast distance is essential.

The Reel Minigame

When a fish bites, you enter the reel minigame. Hold the mouse button to pull the fish in, but watch the tension meter. If tension hits the red zone, your line snaps and you lose the fish. The key is to pulse your reeling — hold for a second, release, hold again. Larger fish have more resistance and require more careful tension management.

Fish Rarity

Fish come in different rarities. Common fish are easy to catch but sell for little. Rare and legendary fish fight harder, require better gear, and sell for significantly more. Each island has its own fish pool with unique species.

Early Game Gear Priority

Your first priority should always be upgrading your fishing rod. Here is the general gear priority for new players:

1. Better Rod — Increases catch rate and tension capacity
2. Weapons — Needed for boss fights and aggressive fish
3. Boat — Unlocks travel to new islands
4. Armor/Upgrades — Survivability for harder islands

Tips for Beginners

• Always sell fish immediately in the early game — coins buy power
• Practice trick shots — they are the best money source once you get consistent
• Play co-op — four players earn money four times faster
• Do not skip the tutorial island — it teaches essential mechanics
• Watch your tension meter — snapping lines wastes time and bait
• Talk to every NPC — quests give bonus rewards and unlock new areas
• Gamble carefully — the casino can double your money or leave you broke

What Comes Next?

Once you have mastered the basics and upgraded your gear, it is time to take on boss fish and unlock new islands. Check out our Boss Fights Guide for strategies, or visit the Gear Hub to plan your upgrade path. Full keybinds live on the Controls Guide. If you are still on the fence, the How to Fish Review summarizes the Steam score and who the game is for.