Lew Zealand
Helper
I don't know about Fishing specifics on the iPhone as I have avoided it there for now (I mostly play on computer).
However 2 things that make Fishing easier on any platform are to use the Trap Bobber and a Fishing Food buff, like Dish 'o the Sea or Seafoam Pudding. At least on PC, I've been able to catch every Fish I've encountered so far with the help of those (though I'm still missing 2 new v1.5 fish I haven't seen yet).
However 2 things that make Fishing easier on any platform are to use the Trap Bobber and a Fishing Food buff, like Dish 'o the Sea or Seafoam Pudding. At least on PC, I've been able to catch every Fish I've encountered so far with the help of those (though I'm still missing 2 new v1.5 fish I haven't seen yet).
BringsTheSnow
Planter
I struggled at first on PS4 but after a LOT of practice, I got the hang of it. I think I bought the training rod and that helped give me more flexibility while learning.
imnvs
Local Legend
Like Lew, I have little experience with the interface on iPhones. I only play on PC.
I feel I must reply to Lew, though, directly, as I have to challenge the Trap Bobber as the best. Yes, fish get away less when your bar isn't on them, but the Cork Bobber. Increase that fishing bar size so that you're able to keep it on the fish better. In the end, I think you'll catch the same amount of fish either way, but with the Cork Bobber, I think you'll end up with more higher quality fish. (You can only get iridium quality fish with a perfect catch or a quality bobber, but the quality bobber doesn't make it any easier to catch the fish.)
With an iridium rod, cork bobber, seafoam pudding (possibly seasoned seafoam pudding) and something from late-game content (called the Master enchantment which gives your fishing pole a +1 to fishing), I can catch any fish in the game. Even legendary fish only take a couple tries... and my wife is even better at the fishing mini-game than I am. Some tricks of the game I have down better than her, but she's overall better than I, and I can still catch anything in the game with this setup.
Cuusardo
Farmer
My favorite combo to use for challenging fish is seafoam pudding and cork bobbers because it gives the largest bar in the minigame. Of course those two things are not as easy to come by early in the game, so any fishing buffs you can get help.
Also: boost your fishing XP by using crab pots as soon as you can get them. Those don't require any skill to use, but unlike a fishing pole you do need bait.
Also: boost your fishing XP by using crab pots as soon as you can get them. Those don't require any skill to use, but unlike a fishing pole you do need bait.
Lew Zealand
Helper
I played my first 3 saves with the Cork Bobber only and it works very well, and may work best for most people for all Fish short of the Legends (and maybe Octopus, Scorpion Fish, Lava Eel, 1 or 2 others). So best for ~57 out of 67 Fish? However I have found those most difficult Fish to be easier with the Trap Bobber after some nice people here suggested it. I was perpetually short of Slime to make the Cork Bobber (though I have a Slimejack pond now for that) but rarely short of Copper for the Trap. Also, the Trap is available to craft one Fishing Level sooner (6 vs. 7) so you can also start earlier with it.
However, now that I'm a better Fisherwoman, what I need to do is return to an earlier save and do what imnvs said, try the Legends with the same settings I currently have but with the Cork Bobber instead. I think I have one save with no Legends caught but of course the stupid Legends take A Whole Year to get them all. Grrr...
Lappy
Sodbuster
iPhone player here.
When I first started playing, I had some trouble too, though by your description I feel as though you're having more trouble than I did. Or at least, you're more frustrated.
As others mentioned, you can get improved rods, tackle, and fishing buff foods. But at this point, I only ever break out the bobbers and food buffs when I'm going after the legendary fish now. I very seldom lose a "normal" fish anymore - maybe an occasional octopus, but that's about it.
I wonder if your technique may need tweaking. Thinking back to when I first started playing, I didn't fully understand the mechanics behind the minigame. For whatever reason, I used to think that each tap moved the bar up a set amount. So if I needed to move the bar a lot at once, I tapped the screen a bunch of times in rapid succession: tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap. I think it was at least a year through my first farm that I realized that I could "hold" my tap to do move the bar more. But if you do that, you can be susceptible to the fish diving back down the meter and lose it if you don't release your tap quick enough. So I've found kind of a happy medium - about half-second pushes can give me a quicker rise in the meter, but enough flexibility to release the bar back downward if necessary. I use that most of the time, and mix in longer holds and quick taps as necessary.
And of course, persistence is key. Fishing is nowhere near as difficult as completing Prairie King, if you ask me. Keep at it, and good luck!
When I first started playing, I had some trouble too, though by your description I feel as though you're having more trouble than I did. Or at least, you're more frustrated.
As others mentioned, you can get improved rods, tackle, and fishing buff foods. But at this point, I only ever break out the bobbers and food buffs when I'm going after the legendary fish now. I very seldom lose a "normal" fish anymore - maybe an occasional octopus, but that's about it.
I wonder if your technique may need tweaking. Thinking back to when I first started playing, I didn't fully understand the mechanics behind the minigame. For whatever reason, I used to think that each tap moved the bar up a set amount. So if I needed to move the bar a lot at once, I tapped the screen a bunch of times in rapid succession: tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap. I think it was at least a year through my first farm that I realized that I could "hold" my tap to do move the bar more. But if you do that, you can be susceptible to the fish diving back down the meter and lose it if you don't release your tap quick enough. So I've found kind of a happy medium - about half-second pushes can give me a quicker rise in the meter, but enough flexibility to release the bar back downward if necessary. I use that most of the time, and mix in longer holds and quick taps as necessary.
And of course, persistence is key. Fishing is nowhere near as difficult as completing Prairie King, if you ask me. Keep at it, and good luck!
