How to Fish in Rust?

Fishing in Rust isn’t just a fun little side activity—it’s a legitimate way to stock up on food, materials, and even some rare finds. If you’re like me and enjoy a balance between action and peaceful moments in the game, fishing can be a solid go-to. Plus, who doesn’t like the idea of chilling near the water after a raid?

In this guide, I’m going to walk you through everything I’ve learned about fishing in Rust, from the basics to some advanced tips. Trust me, once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.

Step 1: Get the Fishing Rod

First things first, you need a fishing rod. Crafting one is easy as long as you have the resources. To make the rod, you’ll need:

• 200 wood
• 3 cloth

The crafting process is super straightforward, just like with most items in Rust. Open up your crafting menu, find the fishing rod, and start crafting. It only takes a few seconds, so you’ll be ready to fish in no time.

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Step 2: Find the Right Fishing Spot

You’d think you could just fish anywhere there’s water, right? Well, not exactly. I’ve found that the best fishing spots are bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and the ocean shore. Ideally, you want to be somewhere quiet, without too much activity. Trust me, nothing ruins a peaceful fishing session like getting sniped from across the map.

If you’re in a safe spot, especially near your base or an isolated river, you’re golden. If not, I recommend staying low and using cover to avoid attention.

Pro Tip: Fishing on a boat out in the ocean is also an option, and you’re way less likely to run into trouble out there.

Step 3: Bait Your Hook

Fishing in Rust requires bait, and it’s essential to choose the right kind to get the best results. Here are a few options for bait:

• Raw fish: Once you catch your first fish, you can use it as bait for bigger and better fish.
• Meat: Raw chicken, pork, or bear meat works, but the catch rate isn’t as high.
• Insects: If you’ve got worms or grubs, you can use them too.

I’ve had the most success with raw fish, but when I’m just getting started, I’ll use whatever I have on hand. Simply right-click on your fishing rod, select “Bait,” and drop your chosen bait onto the hook. You’re ready to cast!

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Step 4: Casting Your Line

Casting your line in Rust is as simple as aiming at the water and pressing the left mouse button. I’ve found that holding down the button lets me cast further, but honestly, distance doesn’t seem to make much of a difference for catching fish.

Once the line is cast, you’ll see a bobber floating on the water’s surface. Now, this part is crucial—watch that bobber closely. When it starts to dip or move, it’s your cue that a fish is nibbling on the bait.

Step 5: Reel It In

Now comes the fun (and sometimes tricky) part—reeling in the fish. When the bobber starts bouncing or sinking, hold the right mouse button to begin reeling in. The key here is to keep a steady hand and watch your line tension. If the line goes slack, you’ll lose the fish, but if you reel too aggressively, the line might snap.

You’ll need to balance reeling with letting the fish fight a bit. I like to give the fish a couple of tugs, reel in some more, and repeat. It’s a bit of a dance, but with practice, it becomes second nature.

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Step 6: What You Can Catch

There’s a good variety of fish you can catch in Rust, each offering different rewards. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you might reel in:

• Small Trout: Common and decent for cooking or bait.
• Large Trout: A better source of food, also good for trading at Outposts.
• Catfish: Bigger and tougher to catch, but worth it for the resources.
• Rare Finds: Sometimes, you’ll pull up random loot like scrap or even weapons. These are rarer, but keep fishing, and you might get lucky.

Step 7: Cooking and Eating

Fishing tips?
by inplayrust

Once you’ve caught a few fish, it’s time to cook them. You can use a campfire or barbecue to grill them up. Just drag the raw fish onto the cooking slot and wait a minute or two until they’re done. Cooked fish restore a decent amount of health and hunger, so they’re perfect for stocking up your inventory.

Pro Tip: You can also sell fish at the Fishing Village Outpost for scrap, which is great if you’re low on resources and need a quick boost.

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Step 8: Stay Safe While Fishing

This is Rust, so no activity is ever truly safe, not even fishing. If I’m near a river or lake close to other players, I always stay on alert. It’s best to fish in quieter areas of the map, away from high-traffic zones.

Fishing at night can also be a good strategy to avoid detection, especially if you keep your fire hidden and limit your visibility. Just make sure to bring enough resources to stay warm, or you’ll end up freezing before you catch anything worth keeping.

Final Thoughts: Is Fishing Worth It?

I’ll be real—fishing in Rust isn’t the fastest way to gather food or resources, but it’s a chill, low-risk method when you need a break from the more intense aspects of the game. Plus, you never know when you’ll reel in something rare.

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