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Master Fishing in Project Zomboid: Crafting and Survival Tips

Master fishing in Project Zomboid with our comprehensive guide on crafting fishing gear, finding supplies, and enhancing your fishing skills for better survival in rural areas.

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Introduction

Fishing is a crucial skill in Project Zomboid, enhancing your survival in rural areas and reducing reliance on urban resources. This guide provides comprehensive tips for fishing, crafting fishing gear, and maximizing your fishing efficiency, allowing you to thrive in the game.


Choosing the Fisherman Occupation and Traits

Selecting the Fisherman occupation simplifies fishing, but other traits can also impact your fishing efficiency. Tailor your character build to optimize your gameplay strategy. For example, choosing the Angler trait can further boost your fishing skills, making it easier to catch fish and craft fishing-related items.


How to Make a Fishing Rod

To craft a Fishing Rod in Project Zomboid, you need to follow these steps:

Crafted Spear:

  1. Materials Needed:

  • 1 Tree Branch or Plank

  • 1 Kitchen Knife, Machete, Meat Cleaver, or Stone Knife

  1. Steps:

  • Find a Tree Branch: Forage in wooded areas.

  • Get a Plank: Dismantle furniture or saw logs.

  • Sharpen the Branch or Plank: Use your knife to create the spear.

Fishing Rod:

  1. Materials Needed:

  • 1 Hunting Knife, Kitchen Knife, Machete, Meat Cleaver, or Stone Knife

  • 1 Fishing Line or 2 Twine

  • 1 Nail or Paperclip

  • 1 Sturdy Stick

  1. Steps:

  • Obtain a Knife: Search kitchens or restaurants.

  • Find Fishing Line or Twine: Look in Bait Shops or warehouses.

  • Get a Nail or Paperclip: Check sheds, garages, or desks.

  • Make a Sturdy Stick: Saw a Plank to create it.

Combine these items in your inventory to craft a Fishing Rod. If you don't have the Fisherman occupation or Angler trait, you will need to read the Angler USA Magazine Vol. 1 first.

How to Make a Fishing Rod

Finding a Fishing Rod

If crafting isn't your preference, you can find Fishing Rods in the overworld. The best places to look are Bait Shops, typically located near bodies of water. These shops not only stock Fishing Rods but also Tackle, Fishing Line, Traps, and Bait. Additionally, you might find other survival tools and supplies like canned drinks.

How to Find a Fishing Rod

How to Make a Fishing Net

Fishing Nets are useful for catching bait fish, which can help you catch larger fish. Here’s how to make a Fishing Net:

  1. Materials Needed:

  • 10 Twine

  • 5 Wire

  1. Steps:

  • Find Twine: Search warehouses, general storage areas, and residential homes.

  • Get Wire: Look in garages, sheds, toolboxes, and factories.

Place the Fishing Net in a body of water, wait for an hour, then check it to collect the bait fish.

How to Make a Fishing Net

How to Fish

Fishing involves equipping your Fishing Rod and Bait or Tackle, then finding a body of water to fish in. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Equip your Fishing Rod in the primary slot.

  2. Equip Bait or Tackle in the secondary slot.

  3. Approach water and right-click to select the Fishing option.

Fishing efficiency increases with higher skill levels. Here are the expected times and success rates:

  • Fishing Rod with Live Bait: ~10 minutes per attempt, 20% success rate, +1.5% per skill level.

  • Fishing Rod with Tackle: ~14 minutes per attempt, 10% success rate, +2.5% per skill level.

  • Crafted Spear: 5-10 minutes per attempt, 10% success rate, +1.5% per skill level.

Each skill level reduces fishing time by 5 seconds. Fishing at dawn or dusk will further increase your success rate.

How to Fish

How to Level Up Fishing

To quickly gain experience in fishing, read books and magazines about fishing. These can be found on bookshelves and in drawers in houses. Combining your fishing trips with cooking can also maximize your skill growth, as both skills are essential for survival but take a long time to level up. Plan your fishing trips during dawn or dusk for higher success rates and be vigilant of your surroundings to avoid attracting unwanted attention.

How to Level Up Fishing

FAQs

  1. Is Fishing worth it in Project Zomboid?

  • Yes, fishing provides a reliable food source in rural areas.

  1. Can you fish without a Fishing Rod in Project Zomboid?

  • Yes, you can use a Crafted Spear as an alternative.

  1. Where can I find Fishing Line in Project Zomboid?

  • Fishing Line is often found in Bait Shops and storage areas like warehouses.

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