The golden fishing rod in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is arguably the most coveted fishing tool in the game. It represents dedication, perseverance, and a certain level of mastery over the art of angling. Unlike its flimsier counterparts, the golden rod boasts incredible durability, allowing you to fish for extended periods without the frustrating snap of a broken line. But acquiring this glistening prize isn’t simply a matter of luck; it requires completing a specific, time-consuming challenge. Prepare yourself for a deep dive into the process of obtaining the golden fishing rod!
Understanding The Challenge: The Fish Encyclopedia
The core requirement for unlocking the golden fishing rod recipe lies within your Critterpedia, specifically the fish section. To earn the coveted recipe, you must register every single fish species in the game. This means catching one of each fish available in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It sounds simple enough, but the complexities of fish availability add layers of difficulty.
Seasonal Variations And Timings
Each island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons experiences seasons mirroring the real world (or the opposite, depending on whether you choose a Northern or Southern Hemisphere island). Different fish species are active during specific seasons, times of day, and even weather conditions. A fish abundant in spring might be entirely absent in winter. Mastering the art of identifying fish shadows, understanding spawn rates, and knowing when and where to fish are crucial for success.
Consider, for example, the Stringfish, a highly sought-after and notoriously elusive fish. This freshwater behemoth only appears in the clifftop river during the colder months (December to March in the Northern Hemisphere, June to September in the Southern Hemisphere) and spawns only from 4 PM to 9 AM. Miss your window, and you’ll have to wait months for another opportunity.
Similarly, the Golden Trout requires fishing on a clifftop river, and it’s only available from March to May and September to November from 4 PM to 9 AM. These restrictions highlight the importance of planning and timing.
Rarity And Spawn Rates: The Persistence Game
Some fish species are far rarer than others. While common fish like sea bass and horse mackerel are practically unavoidable, others are incredibly difficult to find, even when fishing at the correct time and location. This is due to varying spawn rates; rarer fish have a significantly lower chance of appearing. Persistence is key. Be prepared to spend hours fishing in the same spot, using fish bait to increase your chances of encountering elusive species.
Fish bait is crafted using Manila clams, which can be dug up on the beach. Each Manila clam yields one fish bait, which, when scattered near the water, will cause a fish to spawn instantly. While it doesn’t guarantee a rare fish, it drastically reduces the waiting time, allowing you to cycle through more potential catches.
Ocean, River, Pond, And Sea Pier: Habitat Diversity
Different fish inhabit different bodies of water. The ocean, rivers, ponds, and the sea pier each have their unique set of species. Some fish, like the Coelacanth, only appear in the ocean when it’s raining. The sea pier, a relatively small area, attracts specific rare fish like the Tuna and Marlin. Make sure you’re fishing in the correct location for the fish you’re targeting.
The Golden Fishing Rod Recipe: Proof Of Completion
Once you’ve caught every fish in the game and filled your Critterpedia, there is no fanfare, no immediate reward. The recipe for the golden fishing rod doesn’t automatically appear in your inventory. Instead, you must access your Nook Phone and open the Critterpedia app. The app will now acknowledge your accomplishment, and the golden fishing rod recipe will be added to your DIY Recipes collection.
Crafting The Golden Fishing Rod: Materials Needed
Crafting the golden fishing rod requires a standard fishing rod and gold nugget. A standard fishing rod can be purchased from Nook’s Cranny or crafted using tree branches. The gold nugget, a much rarer material, is obtained by hitting rocks with a shovel or axe. The appearance of gold nuggets is random, so be sure to hit every rock on your island daily. It may take several days, or even weeks, to acquire the necessary gold nugget.
Tips And Strategies For Completing Your Fish Collection
Successfully completing your fish collection and acquiring the golden fishing rod requires more than just luck. Here are some proven strategies to maximize your efficiency:
Utilize Time Travel (Optional)
While controversial, time travel is a viable option for players who want to accelerate the process of obtaining the golden fishing rod. By changing the date on your Nintendo Switch, you can jump to different seasons and times of day, allowing you to access fish species that are currently unavailable. Be aware that time traveling can have consequences, such as villagers moving out or weeds spreading on your island. Weigh the pros and cons before resorting to this method.
Fish Bait Farming
As mentioned earlier, fish bait is invaluable for speeding up the fishing process. Dedicate time to collecting Manila clams on the beach and crafting large quantities of fish bait. When targeting a specific fish, scatter the bait near the appropriate body of water to increase your chances of encountering it.
Shadow Size Identification
Fish shadows come in various sizes, and each size corresponds to a specific range of fish species. Learning to identify shadow sizes can help you avoid wasting time on common fish. For example, a very small shadow usually indicates a guppy, while a very large shadow could be a sea bass or something more valuable.
Fishing Tours And Mystery Island Exploration
Dodo Airlines offers fishing tour islands. These islands have different layouts, and sometimes, different fish spawn than on your island. Even rarer, you might get a rare fish island. Consider using Nook Miles Tickets to visit mystery islands and explore different fishing spots. Some islands might have unique conditions that increase the spawn rates of certain fish species.
Sound Cues And Visual Aids
Pay close attention to the sound cues and visual aids when fishing. The distinct splash sound when a fish bites is your signal to reel in your line. Watch the bobber carefully; it will dip slightly before being pulled under. Press the “A” button immediately when the bobber is fully submerged to successfully hook the fish.
Island Design And Water Features
While not directly related to catching specific fish, creating aesthetically pleasing water features on your island can make the fishing experience more enjoyable. Build waterfalls, ponds, and winding rivers to enhance the overall atmosphere and create diverse fishing spots.
The Value Of The Golden Fishing Rod
The golden fishing rod is more than just a durable tool; it’s a symbol of achievement. While it doesn’t guarantee catching rarer fish, its increased durability allows you to fish for longer periods without interruption, maximizing your chances of success. Ultimately, the true value of the golden fishing rod lies in the satisfaction of completing the fish collection challenge and the knowledge that you’ve mastered one of the core aspects of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It’s a testament to your dedication and perseverance, a shiny reward for countless hours spent patiently casting your line.
How Many Fish Do I Need To Catch To Unlock The Golden Fishing Rod Recipe?
There’s no specific number of fish you need to catch. Instead, the key to unlocking the Golden Fishing Rod recipe is to catch every single species of fish available in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This includes all the fish that appear in rivers, ponds, the sea, and off the pier, across all seasons and times of day. Keep track of what you’ve caught using your Critterpedia in your NookPhone, which will help you identify what you still need to find.
Once you’ve caught every fish at least once, you’ll receive a congratulatory message in-game indicating your accomplishment. Shortly after, a message in a bottle will wash up on your shore containing the recipe for the Golden Fishing Rod. Remember to be patient as some fish are notoriously rare and might take a long time to appear.
What Materials Are Required To Craft The Golden Fishing Rod?
Crafting the Golden Fishing Rod requires a combination of readily available and somewhat challenging-to-obtain resources. You’ll need one regular Fishing Rod, which you can purchase at Nook’s Cranny or craft yourself, and one Gold Nugget. The Gold Nugget is the rarer component, adding to the rod’s legendary status and the achievement of obtaining it.
Gold Nuggets can be acquired by hitting rocks on your island with an axe or shovel. However, they aren’t guaranteed to drop every time. Increase your chances by visiting mystery islands and hitting their rocks as well, being mindful not to accidentally eat fruit beforehand, which can cause you to break the rocks instead of extracting materials.
How Durable Is The Golden Fishing Rod? Does It Break?
Yes, even the Golden Fishing Rod will eventually break, although it is significantly more durable than the standard Fishing Rod or even the Colorful Fishing Rod. While regular rods tend to break after catching only a handful of fish, the Golden Fishing Rod can withstand a much longer period of use before succumbing to wear and tear.
There’s no exact number of uses guaranteed before it breaks, as factors like reeling in larger fish may contribute to its degradation. However, compared to other rods, it offers a noticeable improvement in longevity, allowing you to enjoy fishing for a considerably longer time before needing to craft another one.
Are There Any Special Advantages To Using The Golden Fishing Rod?
While the Golden Fishing Rod is coveted for its bragging rights and the challenge of obtaining it, it unfortunately doesn’t offer any tangible gameplay advantages over other fishing rods. It won’t help you catch rarer fish, make fish bite more often, or allow you to reel them in more easily.
Its sole benefit lies in its extended durability compared to other fishing rods. This means you’ll spend less time crafting replacements and more time actively fishing, which can be a considerable advantage for dedicated anglers who spend a significant amount of time angling in the game.
Does Catching A Certain Type Of Fish Unlock The Golden Fishing Rod Recipe?
No, catching a specific type of fish will not directly unlock the Golden Fishing Rod recipe. While catching rare fish is certainly a part of the journey to complete your Critterpedia, the unlock criteria is strictly based on completion of that encyclopedia. It’s not dependent on individual rarities.
Instead, focus on methodically catching every single fish species that appears in the game, regardless of how common or rare they are. This is the only way to trigger the event that leads to the recipe being delivered to your island. Check your Critterpedia often to target species you haven’t caught yet.
Can I Get Multiple Golden Fishing Rod Recipes?
No, you can only obtain the Golden Fishing Rod recipe once per character on your island. Once you’ve caught all the fish, received the recipe in a bottle, and learned it, that particular character cannot receive it again. The game registers that the achievement has been unlocked for that profile.
However, if you have multiple player characters on the same island, each character can independently work towards completing their Critterpedia and unlocking the Golden Fishing Rod recipe. This means that each resident can have their own Golden Fishing Rod, provided they fulfill the necessary fishing requirement.
Is It Possible To Trade The Golden Fishing Rod Recipe To Another Player?
Unfortunately, no, you cannot trade the Golden Fishing Rod recipe with other players. Once you learn a DIY recipe, it becomes permanently attached to your character’s profile. There is no in-game mechanism to transfer a learned recipe to another player’s account, regardless of whether they have already unlocked it or not.
However, you *can* craft Golden Fishing Rods for other players if they provide you with the materials (one regular Fishing Rod and one Gold Nugget). This allows you to share the benefits of your hard-earned recipe without actually trading the recipe itself. Crafting the rod for them and handing it over is the only way to give another player a Golden Fishing Rod.