Night fell and my boat stopped answering the throttle. I stared at a map full of islands and a wallet that felt far too light. You suddenly understand how one small purchase can turn a night of fun into a long, grinding slog.
I’ve played enough sessions to know what matters and what just eats time. I’ll tell you what I buy first, what I save for, and where you can skimp without paying for it later. You’ll get concrete choices, not a shopping list that reads like a scavenger hunt.
On my first night I learned islands behave like tiny economies — so pick tools that move you between them
There are moments in this game when being lost costs you more than time: it costs momentum. The single cheapest quality-of-life buy is the Radar. It’s $10 (€9) and it keeps you from circling the same reef for half an hour. It won’t point to a specific treasure chest, but it stops you from sailing blind and wasting fuel or bait.
What should I buy first in How to Fish?
Start with the Radar, then pivot to weapons. The Radar is cheap and saves wasted trips. After that, a weapon upgrade path will open doors — and islands — that are otherwise long, slow grinds on the rod.
I’ve watched early runs crumble when weapons lag behind progress — so treat them like tools, not trophies
The two real weapon choices are the Shotgun and the Assault Rifle. The Shotgun is $150 (€140) and it’s the best early-money decision: cheap to buy, easy to upgrade in chunks, and flexible in fights. I call it the game’s Swiss Army knife — it covers small nuisances and prepares you for midgame threats.
Which weapon is best for the endgame?
If you want to face the whale (the game’s final boss), the Assault Rifle becomes a requirement — you’ll need its modules and that comes at a high price. But you can comfortably reach late midgame and make steady profit with a powered Shotgun and upgraded ammo. The Rifle is an investment; the Shotgun is a fast return.
I noticed players who treat dynamite like a last resort often waste nights stuck on tiny fish
Dynamite costs $25 (€23) and it’s exactly as lazy and effective as the name implies. It bonks dozens of small catches at once and clears schools that would otherwise eat hours of your rod time. The catch: blown fish sell for less, though grilling can restore some value. Use it when you need cash fast, or when you’d rather spend minutes instead of hours.
Is dynamite worth buying?
Yes, if your goal is quick cash or you’re farming specific schools. No, if you care about high base prices per fish. It’s a speed tool, not a precision tool.
I watched one friend pour credits into boat upgrades before weapons — and regret it fast
Boat upgrades matter once you’re moving between islands regularly. They smooth travel and open zones that host rarer catches, but they don’t help you in a firefight. My rule: secure the Shotgun and a Radar first, then start improving hull, engine, and storage. If you’re playing on Steam or the Nintendo eShop and planning to stream or post clips, fast travel and storage stop you from wasting time between highlights.
Quick buying checklist:
- Radar — $10 (€9): immediate reduction in wasted sailing time.
- Shotgun — $150 (€140): best early-to-midgame investment; upgrade ammo next.
- Dynamite — $25 (€23): emergency farming tool, sacrifices base sell price.
- Assault Rifle — expensive: buy only when you’re ready to face the whale and can afford upgrade modules.
- Boat upgrades — buy after weapons if you want efficient progression across islands.
If you follow this order you’ll cut the boring hours and keep the gameplay moving — and if you want community tips, check Moyens I/O’s thread, Reddit discussions, and a few YouTube creators who post build guides on Steam-era indie highlights. What would you buy first and why?