This guide covers how to progress faster in Cast and Chill using real gameplay tips. It includes how to use idle mode, upgrade gear, catch rare fish, and unlock new areas with no filler.

Upgrade Rod Strength First

Rod strength is the best early upgrade.

It makes catching medium and large fish easier and keeps them from escaping. Fish storage speed and line length are less important early on.

Max out rod strength first before touching anything else.

How Idle Mode Works

Idle mode uses your current rod and lure.

It runs automatically but stops working after a while. You’ll need to check on it often, especially if fish stop biting or you change areas.

It’s not truly passive... just semi-useful if you babysit it.

Match Gear to Fish

Every fish needs a specific rod size and lure.

The collection book tells you exactly which bait and rod to use for small, medium, large, or XL sizes. If a fish won’t bite, you’re likely using the wrong setup.

Even if it looks similar, check again.

Fill the Collection Book by Size

To fully complete each fish entry, you must catch all sizes of that species.

That includes small, medium, large, and XL. You can’t skip any if you want full progress.

Dog Barking = Something Rare Nearby

The dog sometimes barks when a rare or trophy fish is near.

It doesn’t bark for every fish, so pay attention when it does. Usually something big or valuable is close.

Change Time to Catch Trophy Fish

Some rare or legendary fish only appear at specific times.

Try changing the time of day and revisiting the same spot. Dusk seems to work often, but some may only appear at night or dawn.

Try all four times if you're not seeing what you need.

Unlock New Areas and Gear by Progressing

You unlock new lures and rods by discovering new species.

Just seeing the fish is enough to trigger new shop items. Completing areas or catching legendary fish will also unlock new zones and licenses.

Always return to the shop after new catches.

Use Long Casts to Scout

Cast far when entering a new area to quickly find different species.

This helps with unlocking gear faster and seeing what sizes you still need. It also lets you see fish that are deeper or harder to reach.

Don’t Waste Time with the Wrong Bait

If a fish won’t bite, you probably have the wrong lure or rod.

The game doesn’t always tell you. Check your book, especially when fishing in new areas.

Trying to catch a brown trout with largemouth bass bait won’t get you far.

Shopkeeper Unlocks New Tools

Tip the shopkeeper after big catches.

It sometimes unlocks new rods or baits. For example, catching a steelhead triggered a new rod unlock.

Check back often after completing big catches.

Bigger Rod = Easier Battles

Use stronger rods when going for large or XL fish.

Tougher fish like steelhead or northern pike are much easier to land with upgraded strength. Weak rods just make fights longer and harder.

Some Fish Are Location-Locked

Not every fish is in every area.

If you’re missing one and the book shows a question mark, it likely lives in another region. Unlock the next area and keep checking.

Don’t Forget to Tip the Shop

Tipping the shopkeeper after major catches often unlocks new dialogue or areas.

Sub-zones in regions open this way, like Picnic Point in the Fawn Mirror Lake region.

Final Blurb

Cast and Chill rewards slow, steady progress and careful gear choices. If you’re not catching what you need, check your book, upgrade your gear, and swap the time.

And if your dog barks, something good is probably lurking nearby unless it just hates squirrels.