Plan before you start
What this guide helps with
Follow the steps below when you reach this part of the route, then open the linked fish, item or island page when you need a specific setup.- Category
- Main progression
- Topic
- Walkthrough
- Route
- Islands
- Best for
- Planning the next objective
Lighthouse opening
Learn the catch-kill-sell loop around the Lighthouse. Complete the beer-related objective and use the locally available bait chain to reach the Spider Crab encounter.
- Catch basic shoreline creatures.
- Finish nearby NPC requests.
- Prepare the Empty Beer Can path for Spider Crab.
Forest Island
Bring three ground leeches to the lady by the lake, use Leech Bait for Giant Piranha and return its trophy for the next coordinates. The $40 Beginner Boss Lure encounters are optional.
- Clear the default Fishing Rod pool and the nine-target Beginner Lure pool.
- Secure Leech Bait before Giant Piranha.
- Return the named trophy—not generic meat.
Desert Island
Catch Needlefish with the $15 Standard Lure and trade it to the tourist for a Carrot. Blue Shark uses the $280 Standard Boss Lure and unlocks the grill; Pufferfish uses the Carrot and unlocks Rocks Island.
- Do Blue Shark for the 1.5x cooking route.
- Keep the Carrot for Pufferfish.
- Return the Pufferfish fin.
Rocks Island
Buy the $1,200 Professional Boss Lure for Tuna, keep the body, then place it on the ground for Albatross. Return the bird's head for Volcano coordinates.
- Clear the $50 Professional Lure pool.
- Do not sell or cook Tuna.
- Use a ranged weapon for Albatross.
Volcano Island
Use the $500 Scientific Lure for regular entries. The $5,800 Goblin Shark lure is optional; the story follows Bowhead Whale into the mutated final encounter.
- Check Tab before buying the optional boss lure.
- Keep Bowhead Whale for the next trigger.
- Finish the mutated phase and take the final transport.
Frequently asked questions
How many islands are in the launch route?
Launch guides and achievement progression consistently point to five major island stages.
Can I play the route in co-op?
Yes. Steam lists online co-op for up to four players.
