The quick answer
Find Chu Shuiyang on the Qinghe shoreline near Stonewash Strand, ask for a fishing rod and try the tutorial contest. Equip the rod through Quick Use, choose bait, cast into suitable water and keep the catch indicator in the green zone until you can reel the fish in.
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Get a rod from Chu Shuiyang
Chu Shuiyang is the early fishing teacher in Verdant Wilds. Look along the shore near Stonewash Strand, southwest of General’s Shrine. Activate the nearby Boundary Stone so you can return without repeating the approach.
- Speak to Chu Shuiyang and choose the dialogue about wanting a fishing rod.
- Check that the rod and bait have reached your inventory.
- Speak again to start the fishing contest and follow the tutorial.
- Practise one complete catch before travelling to another fishing location.
The rod used for the activity is a tool, not a requirement to change your combat weapon. A fishing-themed appearance accessory is also a different item from the usable rod.
Equip the rod and select bait
Use the Bag and Quick Use interface to assign or select the fishing rod. The important sequence is tool, bait, then cast. If your normal combat attack happens instead, return to Quick Use and check that you actually selected the rod rather than only highlighting it in the bag.
Dough, Worm and Plant Bait are different options. When a contest or fish entry shows a preferred bait, use that information before casting. A more expensive bait is not automatically the right bait for the particular target.
Complete the cast and struggle sequence
- Stand where the fishing action is available and face the water.
- Hold the cast input to set distance, then release it.
- Wait for a bite and respond to the prompt.
- During the struggle, keep the indicator within the green catch zone.
- When the catch completes, use the reel-in confirmation.
Use the prompts shown for your input device. The control used to cast may not be the same as the one used to complete a catch, and a keyboard shortcut copied onto a controller guide can be misleading. Watch the gauge rather than repeatedly pressing the interact button.
Read the contest target before starting
An angler’s contest may ask for a particular result within a time limit. Read that objective first. If you need a named fish, bait selection matters before your casting speed. If you keep getting bites but fail during the struggle, practise control rather than spending on another stack of bait.
Our suggested learning routine is three relaxed catches followed by another attempt at the first contest. Try to make smaller corrections to the indicator instead of swinging across the green zone. This is a practice suggestion, not a hidden game bonus or guaranteed winning method.
Fix the common fishing problems
| Problem | Check |
|---|---|
| Rod action unavailable | Confirm the tool is selected, then reposition at a usable stretch of water. |
| No bait selected | Open the bait choice and select a type you own. |
| Wrong fish for a contest | Match the contest target’s bait information. |
| Fish repeatedly escapes | Concentrate on the green zone during the struggle phase. |
| Need more supplies | Check Xiong Da at Heaven’s Pier for fishing supplies. |
Do not buy a new tool before identifying the failure. A locked action, an unsuitable location and difficulty landing a hooked fish are three separate problems. Fixing the correct one is cheaper and makes later contests easier to understand.
What to read next
Common questions
Do I need to join a sect to fish?
The early rod and tutorial come from Chu Shuiyang; sect membership is not part of that unlock route.
Where is the fishing rod after I receive it?
Look in your bag and select it through Quick Use. It does not replace a Martial Art in your combat loadout.