How to Fish Weapons Tier List & Best Rod Guide
Combat and marksmanship are half the game in How to Fish. Master weapon upgrade paths, anvil blade sharpening, and learn why replacing your starter rod with the Pull Back Rod is mandatory for mid-game survival and infinite gold multipliers.
What is the Best Weapon and Fishing Rod in How to Fish?
In How to Fish, the undisputed meta loadout is the Pull Back Fishing Rod ($250) paired with the Submachine Gun (SMG) ($450). This combination allows you to hook any apex predator, launch it 15 meters skyward, and maintain bullet-hover skeet juggles to achieve 7.0x+ gold trickshot multipliers:
Pull Back Fishing Rod
Bought on Forest Island. Eliminates line breaks with 3-stage charge tension, hooks all apex bosses, and flings catches skyward for skeet shooting.
Submachine Gun (SMG)
Rapid 30-round 9mm magazine creates an anti-gravity bullet hover trap. Suspends airborne fish to stack multipliers past 7.0x effortlessly.
Tier 2 Sharpened Knife
Hone starter blade on beach anvil to unlock +100% melee damage against sea monsters and the 2.0x Clean Fillet cooking payout bonus.
The Pull Back Fishing Rod
The single most important equipment upgrade in the game. Unlike the fragile starter Crab Rod, the Pull Back Rod features 3-stage charge tension, hooks every predator and boss, and flings catches 15 meters into the air for massive Trickshot & Multiplier bonuses.
Pull Back Rod In ActionComplete Arsenal Roster
Tier SFishing Rod • Forest Island (Shop)Pull Back Fishing Rod
- The undisputed BEST rod in the entire game
- Capable of hooking every single creature, shark, and boss
- Launches hooked catches 10-20m into the air for massive airborne multipliers
Purchased for $250. Max tension reel upgrades available at Volcano Lab. 3-stage charge indicator with audio chime at peak throw.
Essential must-buy as soon as you step foot on Forest Island. Replace your starter Crab Rod immediately.
Tier SAutomatic • Forest Island / DesertSubmachine Gun (SMG)
- Highest burst DPS for shredding unarmored boss phases
- Super fast reload and high mobility while firing
- Inexpensive ammunition available at every island outpost
Extended Mag (+20 rds), Recoil Compensator, Laser Sight. Enables 'Bullet Hover Tech' to keep fish floating in mid-air.
The absolute best all-around weapon for general gameplay and boss shredding from Island 2 all the way to endgame.
Tier SAutomatic • Desert Island (Gunsmith)Tactical Assault Rifle (AR)
- Pinpoint mid-to-long range accuracy
- High stagger force against lunging sharks
- Consistent headshot multiplier bonus (2.5x)
ACOG 3x Scope, Suppressor (Bonus Stealth Multiplier), Heavy Barrel
The king of versatility. Delivers reliable damage across every combat scenario in the second half of the game.
Tier ARifle • Rocks Island (Tackle & Arms)High-Caliber Heavy Sniper
- Essential for defeating the high-altitude Albatross boss
- Guarantees 1-shot kills on almost all non-boss fish for instant 'Snipe Multiplier'
- Can pierce through rocky terrain and obstacles
Variable Thermal Scope, Quick-Chamber Bolt, Armor-Piercing Rounds
A mandatory situational powerhouse. Keep this in your secondary slot for boss fights and long-range trickshots.
Tier AMelee • Starter Island (Lighthouse Anvil)Sharpened Combat Knife
- Zero ammo cost, infinite uses
- Quick light slashes give fast attack speed
- Bonus 2.0x 'Clean Fillet' cash multiplier on melee kills
Sharpen at any blacksmith anvil using 1 Whetstone or $30. Prevents attacks from bouncing off crab chitin.
Your faithful starting tool. Sharpen it to Tier 2 immediately at the Lighthouse to prevent hits from bouncing off crabs.
Tier BHandgun • Forest Island (Cabin / Mission: Shotgun Fishing Mission)Double-Barrel Combat Shotgun
- Obtained via the Shotgun Fishing Mission
- One-shots mid-air airborne fish effortlessly with wide spread
- Best weapon for seagull farming (clears 5 seagulls in 1 shot)
- High stagger against aggressive charging sea predators
Choke Tube, Sawed-off Barrel for wider aerial spread. Acquisition & Item Retrieval: Obtained through the 'Shotgun Fishing Mission' (exact pickup coordinates and price unverified). Submerged weapons and items in water are indicated by a floating white dot marker on the surface; missing white dots is a reported rendering issue in certain graphical configurations.
High-impact close-range burst weapon from the Shotgun Fishing Mission. If submerged in water, look for the floating white dot surface marker.
Tier BExplosive • Desert (Dynamite) / Volcano (RPG)Dynamite & Heavy Harpoon RPG
- Can wipe out entire schools of swarming fish in one explosion
- Triggers the massive 'Aerial Splatter' 3.5x cash multiplier
- Destroys breakable secret cave walls on Desert and Volcano islands
Proximity Detonators, Blast Radius Extenders
High risk, hilarious high reward. Perfect for speedruns and clearing cave blockades.
Tier SFishing Rod • Starter Island (Lighthouse Keeper)Handheld Navigation Radar ($10)
- Essential navigation tool purchased early for $10 from the Lighthouse Keeper
- Enables viewing navigational bearings to reach other islands
- Inexpensive $10 utility required before setting sail
Purchased for $10 from the Lighthouse Keeper. Handheld device used to track island coordinate bearings during open-sea navigation.
Basic handheld radar purchased from Lighthouse Keeper for $10 (Source: Sportskeeda guide). Note: must be actively held in hand to navigate, occupying your weapon slot.
The Blacksmith Anvil Sharpening Mechanic
In How to Fish, knife durability does not break the weapon; instead, dull knives deal 90% reduced damage against shelled enemies like King Crabs and Spider Crabs.
25 Damage
Effective only against Minnows and Beach Clams.
50 Damage
Pierces King Crab chitin and Spider Crab leg joints.
75 Damage + 2.0x Melee Mult
Unlocked at Volcano Island anvil. 1-shots regular fish.
Weapon Airborne Performance & Juggling Metrics
| Weapon | DPS / Burst | Airborne Bullet Hover | Optimal Range | Trickshot Synergy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Submachine Gun (SMG) | 320 DPS (30 Rds) | 4.5 Seconds (Continuous Juggle) | Close to Mid (5 - 15m) | S-Tier (Max Multiplier) |
| Pump Action Shotgun | 300 Burst Pellets | Instantaneous (Skeet Blast) | Point Blank (1 - 6m) | A-Tier (Fast Clears) |
| Lever-Action Hunting Rifle | 180 Precision Hit | Single Precision Shot | Long Range (15 - 45m) | 2.0x No-Scope Headshot |
| Heavy Harpoon Launcher | 450 Armor Pierce | Tethers Catch to Player | Mid Range (10 - 25m) | Volcano Boss Meta |
Frequently Asked Questions: Weapons & Rods
What is the best fishing rod in How to Fish?
The Pull Back Fishing Rod ($250, purchased on Forest Island) is undeniably the best fishing rod. It replaces the starter Crab Rod, handles infinite line tension without snapping, hooks every predator and apex boss, and catapults catches 15 meters skyward for high multipliers.
What is the best firearm or weapon in How to Fish?
The Submachine Gun (SMG) ($450 on Desert Island) is the highest-utility firearm. Its rapid 30-round 9mm continuous spray utilizes a bullet-hover physics juggle that suspends hooked fish mid-air indefinitely, multiplying gold rewards up to 7.0x or higher.
How do you sharpen knives in How to Fish?
Knives can be sharpened using the Blacksmith Anvil located on Lighthouse Beach and Forest Island. Upgrading from the Starter Knife to Tier 2 grants +100% damage against hostile predators and activates the 2.0x Clean Fillet bonus whenever harvesting catches at campfires.
Related Arsenal & Economy Guides
Multiplier Calculator
Test SMG hover duration & gold returns
Fast Money Farming
Pull Back Rod gold farming routes
All 6 Apex Bosses
Best weapon loadouts for every boss fight
Island 1 Fish & Baits
Target species for early rod upgrades