Fishing in Of Ash and Steel is one of the most reliable ways to survive the early game. Food keeps your health up, restores stamina, and prevents hunger from weakening your combat ability. The system looks simple at first, but catching a fish requires good timing and understanding how the mini-game works.
This guide explains exactly how fishing functions, where to find fishing spots, and how to land fish consistently without wasting valuable baait.
How Fishing Works in Of Ash and Steel?
1. Find Your First Fishing Spot
Once Tristan wakes up in the hut of Nerest and completes the starting chores, go outside along the path and take the left turn. There, you will see a small pond with a fishing rod standing in the ground and a box that generally contains some bait.
In this game, fishing rods are not movable. The only places to fish are the fixed spots with rods already placed beside the water. When you are visiting new areas, try to spot a rod at the pond or river’s edge—this will always indicate a permissible fishing site.
2. Collecting and Managing Bait
At first, the bait is very limited. Every piece of bait you find should be grabbed right away, since you will lose one every time a fish breaks free.
You might also find bait at some of the extra fishing spots that are around the world, and some non-player characters (NPCs) may drop bait or even fish if you manage to beat them.
Since bait is in short supply, don’t be too quick in making your inputs during the fishing mini-game. A single error could make you lose both the bait and the fish.
How to Catch a Fish Successfully in Of Ash and Steel?
1. Understanding the Fishing UI
The moment you take the rod in your hand, two indicators come up next to Tristan:
Durability – this bar decreases with each wrong command or slow reaction. The fish is gone if it gets empty.
Success – this bar increases as you perform the right actions at the right time. Only then can you catch the fish.
Fishing has three actions:
- Hook – tap (mouse LMB / LB / L1)
- Reel – hold (mouse RMB / RB / R1)
- Land Fish – press once (Space / A / X)
2. Timing Your Inputs
Fishing is merely a matter of properly responding to the signals:
- Bite wait – A movement will be noticed besides hearing a ‘plop’ sound.
- Hook Tap – A motion of very short duration is required to accomplish this.
- If the fish pulls – Reel in, hold until the signal disappears.
- Look at the success bar – You should attempt to land the fish only when the bar is high.
- Press Land Fish – if the timing is right, Tristan pulls in the catch.
Mistakes in command, over-holding, or premature landing trials quickly zap durability. Sometimes, perfect timing is not enough—RNG has a say—but most of the time, incorrect inputs are the reason behind escapes.
Fishing Strategy in Of Ash and Steel
1. Don’t Waste Bait
Bait is difficult to get so be patient and make sure that you’re only reacting when you can actually see which prompt is on. Wrong moves will consume bait much faster than you think.
2. Increase the Success Rate Gradually
Pulling too hard is not going to help. Performing each prompt perfectly and allowing the success rate to rise slowly is the best way to combat the fish. When the percentage is safely high, catching the fish becomes a matter of course.
3. Use the Fish for Cooking, Trading, or Quests
By the fire, you can cook fish for quicker hunger and health recovery. Sell the fish to traders for money. Keep the fish for the occasional NPC side quests that need them.
Once you master the Survival skill that allows you to sleep at outdoor camps, fishing will become even more advantageous. A night-cooked fish may be the difference between the end of a long journey and starvation collapse.
Finding More Fishing Locations in Of Ash and Steel
Fishing locations are all over the game world and are mostly found next to ponds, rivers, or lakes. There could be non-player characters (NPCs) at some fishing locations already.
In case the NPC is aggressive or has taken the bait, you can defeat him/her and then collect the fish that he/she has caught.
Initially, fishing might seem like a tough activity, but with the right skill, it can be a very reliable source of food in Of Ash and Steel. Take breaks often, manage your hunger well, and be patient in dealing with the mini-game — fast reactions are the quickest way to lose your bait.
Editors Recommendations:
- Disney Dreamlight Valley Iron Ore Guide: Locations and Best Uses
- How to Unlock the Vernal Umbrella in Where Winds Meet?
- How to Defeat Auguste the Playwright in Octopath Traveler 0?
- How to Remove Mushrooms in Disney Dreamlight Valley?
- How to use the Shimmering Water Pool in Disney Dreamlight Valley?
- How to Access The Forsaken Hollows DLC in Elden Ring Nightreign?
