Red Dead Redemption 2: Fishing tips - baits, lures, controls Red Dead Redemption 2 Guide and Walkthrough

This page of the guide to Red Dead Redemption 2 is dedicated to fishing, baits, lures and controls - we explain how to fish successfully. You will catch only big fishes with us.

Last update: Monday, October 3, 2022

Fishing is one of the side activities available in Red Dead Redemption 2. Arthur receives his fishing rod in chapter 2, during A Fisher of Men mission. Fishing isn't featured in many of the missions. However, you can participate in this activity to get some money, gather food for the camp, catch legendary fish or to take a break from robbing and killing.

Fishing is both time-consuming and challenging. This page contains tips that will help you with this activity.

If you want to get into the deep end, you can check the page dedicated to legendary fish. These animals are more challenging than the regular fish, so it is best to catch a few smaller specimens and learn the mechanics.

• Where can I get bait and lures?
• Tips
• Controls
• Types of baits and lures

Where can I get bait and lures?

Visit a store before you go fishing. You can go to the Bait Shop located in Lagras. Here, you can find all the baits available in RDR2. You can also visit any General Store and buy worms or slices of cheese.

Tips

1. Clear the area - some fishing spots are dangerous. Kill all enemies in the area before you start fishing. Alligators are the main source of threat - these animals can interrupt your fishing at any time.
2. Don't get yourself tired - fishing can be tiring and time-consuming. It also makes your hands tired. Your performance can start dropping when you fish for a few hours straight. Try to take breaks by focusing on other activities available in the game.
3. Pay attention to weather - don't go fishing when there is storm, strong wind or when it rains. Wind makes fishing more problematic. Also, fish will have better chances of escaping from you.
4. Look at the water - cast your bait only in places where you can see fish. Casting a bait in places without fish means that you will have to wait a while for them to react.
5. Don't pay attention to the time of the day - in Red Dead Redemption 2 it doesn't matter what time is it, at least when it comes to fishing. You can fish in the morning or during the night.
6. Release the fish free if you aren't fishing for money or resources - this will give you additional honor points.
7. If you catch a big fish - either cook it immediately or take to the camp. Your horse can carry only one big fish. There is no point in catching a few larger specimens and then pile them up.
8. Swim in a boat and then cast your bait - this reduces the risk of getting interrupted. You also get a chance to catch more interesting species.
9. Don't reel when a fish is yanking the line - if you do that, fish will rip the line and swim away.
10. Hold the left trigger as often as you can - thanks to that it will be easier for you to take out a fish. Holding this button will allow you to attract a fish.

Controls

	Choose bait and lure
	Prepare to cast the bait / Brace the reel
	Cast the bait / Start reeling
	Attach another bait after catching fish
	Cut the line off - this allows you to cast your bait again / Cast the bait again
	Move the rod to steer a fish
	Reeling

Types of baits and lures

Bobber:

1. Bread - smaller fish - pickerel, bass.
2. Corn - smaller fish, i.e. bullhead catfish
3. Cheese - medium fish, i.e. bass
4. Crickets - medium fish, i.e. trout.

Lure:

1. River lure - small and medium fish found in rivers.
2. Lake lure - medium and large fish found in lakes.
3. Swamp lure - large fish living in swamps.
4. Special River lure - large and legendary fish found in rivers.
5. Special Lake lure - large and legendary fish found in lakes.
6. Special Swamp lure - large and legendary fish living in swamps.