Thread: Fishing skill not improving

My character got Fishing a while back. She also did the mission to talk to the Fisher girl by Bywater. She has also caught a number of catfish and other stuff. However, her skill is still stuck at 1. Did I miss doing something, or is this a bug?

I don't think you missed anything, fishing can just take several catches before your skill increases. It helps if you have a better fishing rod; the best you can get is a Well-crafted Lebethron Fishing Rod.

Originally Posted by danbuter

My character got Fishing a while back. She also did the mission to talk to the Fisher girl by Bywater. She has also caught a number of catfish and other stuff. However, her skill is still stuck at 1. Did I miss doing something, or is this a bug?

Like the other player said you may just need to bag a few more of the fishes before you advance, I do however find it strange as in my experience the first few levels are very quick in going in! Once you get to the higher levels it does take some time. Another little note for you, you may only advance 10 levels per day, you can check if your still earning by bringing up your hobbies panel and looking at the bar, if its blue your earning if yellow your maxed for the day. What server are you on? I'm on The friendly and wonderful Gilrain, if you are also, look me up and ill craft you a nice rod. Also whilst out and about doing your thing keep your eye open for pools of water, this may be the place to be,I find some body's of water yeald a higher output of catches than others...and better fish!
A while back after an update, they added some new graphics to fishing and although nice to look at it really has slowed down the fishing experience, I wish they hadn't bothered, it was already slow enough !
Stick with it and you'll soon be a recognised angler with the esteemed title 'Lord (Lady) of the Streams'

I have serious doubts about increased fishing skill - I had my woodworker make +5 rods for all my alts. I honestly don't see any change in the number of casts/catches between level-ups. Nor do I see any improvement in the ratio of cookable/trophy fish to white trash fish. Also the time from cast to catch - all remain completely random.....could level up after one cast or could wait for 30 casts.
So what is an increase in fishing skill supposed to improve?
Also I'm curious about location.... does anyone know if you can level faster at particular bodies of water?

Originally Posted by owenmcilvenna

I have serious doubts about increased fishing skill - I had my woodworker make +5 rods for all my alts. I honestly don't see any change in the number of casts/catches between level-ups. Nor do I see any improvement in the ratio of cookable/trophy fish to white trash fish. Also the time from cast to catch - all remain completely random.....could level up after one cast or could wait for 30 casts.
So what is an increase in fishing skill supposed to improve?
Also I'm curious about location.... does anyone know if you can level faster at particular bodies of water?

The + on skill for a fishing rod helps determine what types of fish you can catch.

For instance, you can not catch Flounder until skill level 90 (I don't remember exactly what skill level you need), but if you have the +5 rod, you can start catching these at 85.

This was a HUGE bonus when fishing was first released. To level fishing you used to have to catch a fish of you're relative skill level.

For instance, at level 1 fishing, catching anything besides weeds is high enough of a fish level to give you a level in your fishing skill. But at level 90, you would need to catch Flounder, Sturgeon, or Trout to go up a level, carp, weeds, minnows, etc, wouldn't help you in the least.

Considering the absolutely random nature of the current fishing leveling, and the lack of targeted bait anymore, fishing for cookable fish is nothing but a futile effort.

Originally Posted by danbuter

My character got Fishing a while back. She also did the mission to talk to the Fisher girl by Bywater. She has also caught a number of catfish and other stuff. However, her skill is still stuck at 1. Did I miss doing something, or is this a bug?

It takes time. I have done it on my toons, I am now in the 30-40 range of Fishing skill. At your level, good places to go include Big Staddlemere, Brandywine River, Bywater, basically if you see a dock try there, it has worked for me so far. I think between 10-20 you start getting the occasional prize fish that can be turned into trophies to keep or sell, give all the Daces, Catfish and similar to Cooks. I never fished in Ered Luin but if I did, I would try the docks at Celondim.

Not every catch raises Fishing level, I think there is some kind of ranking system or levels on catches and how they affect your level.