Fishing in DREADMOOR looks simple until a fish makes its first run. Your rod, bait, and timing all matter, but the most important skill is knowing when to pull against the fish and when to stop reeling.
How to Start Fishing in DREADMOOR
To begin fishing, you need the Simple Rod from the bunkhouse at the Trading Post. Gill and Bozur provide access to the bunkhouse during the opening quests. Move your chest inside from the pier, repair the damaged wall, and sleep. Afterward, collect the Simple Rod and head to the fishing platform behind the Dry Dock.
Interact with the marked fishing spot, select the Simple Rod and an Earthworm, then cast toward the splashes on the water. Wait until the bite prompt appears before setting the hook. This basic equipment is enough to start catching Snappers.
DREADMOOR supports both mouse and keyboard fishing controls, which can be changed in the settings if your current setup feels uncomfortable.
How to Catch Fish Without Breaking Your Line
Once a fish bites, your priority is exhausting it before attempting to bring it closer. Move your rod against the direction the fish swims. If it pulls left, move your rod right. If it changes direction, adjust your movement accordingly.
Keep doing this until its Stamina decreases, then begin reeling. The important part is watching Line Tension throughout the fight.
How to Prevent Your Fishing Line From Snapping
If Line Tension approaches its maximum, stop reeling until the strain decreases. Continuing to reel under excessive tension will eventually break the line and cost you the fish.
Fish can also recover Stamina during retrieval. When that happens, focus on exhausting the fish again rather than forcing it closer. I recommend prioritizing tension control over speed, particularly when the fish is nearly within reach.
Once the Land Fish interaction becomes available, use it to finish the catch. Make sure to keep the fish if you're completing a contract. Your first fishing assignment requires five Snappers for Gill and Bozur.
Which Fishing Bait Should You Use?
Different fish require different bait as you progress through DREADMOOR:
- Snapper: Earthworm
- Softgrazer: Wind-Up Tin
- Harpooner: Rainbow Fin
Snappers and Softgrazers can be caught by casting and waiting for a bite. Harpooners work differently because they respond to a moving lure.
To attract a Harpooner, cast Rainbow Fin into the splashing area and slowly retrieve it through the water. The lure needs to move enough to encourage pursuit without leaving the fish behind. Once it bites, use the same Stamina and Line Tension techniques to land your catch.
