Final Fantasy XV Fishing Rod Catch Rarity Boost: Upgrade Guide

Fishing is more than just a relaxing pastime in Final Fantasy XV—it’s a strategic and rewarding activity that can yield rare items, valuable ingredients, and even contribute to game completion. One of the most effective ways to enhance your fishing experience is by upgrading your fishing rod to improve catch rarity. A better rod doesn’t just make fishing easier; it significantly increases your chances of reeling in rare and high-value fish. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about upgrading your fishing rod and maximizing your catch rarity in FFXV.

Why Upgrade Your Fishing Rod?

In FFXV, fishing rods are not created equal. While the starting rod is serviceable for common catches, upgrading your equipment is essential if you aim to complete the fishing questline, earn rare rewards, or simply enjoy the full depth of the fishing mechanic. Higher-tier rods offer several advantages:

Increased Rarity Rates: Better rods improve the likelihood of hooking rare fish, which are often required for quests or can be traded for valuable items.
Easier Reeling: Upgraded rods reduce the time and effort needed to reel in fish, especially larger or more aggressive species.
Access to New Areas: Some rare fish only appear in specific fishing spots, and a superior rod may be necessary to reach them or withstand challenging conditions.

Fishing Rods and Their Upgrades

There are four primary fishing rods in FFXV, each with unique attributes and upgrade paths:

Beginner Rod
The default rod given to Noctis early in the game. It’s functional for basic fishing but has limited effectiveness against rare species. No upgrades are available for this rod.
Deadly Lance
This rod becomes available after completing a few fishing quests. It offers a modest improvement over the Beginner Rod and can be upgraded once.
Nyxperience Rod
A mid-tier rod that significantly boosts performance. It requires completing specific quests or purchasing from certain vendors. It can be upgraded twice.
Reel Love
The best rod in the game, obtained by completing all fishing quests from Navyth. It offers the highest rarity boost and can be fully upgraded to maximize its potential.

How to Upgrade Your Rod

Upgrading rods requires collecting specific materials, which are obtained by catching fish, purchasing from vendors, or finding them in the world. Here’s a step-by-step process for each major rod:

Deadly Lance Upgrade

Material Needed: Rusted Bit (x1)
How to Obtain: Rusted Bits are commonly found by fishing in muddy or polluted waters, such as the ponds near Hammerhead. They can also be purchased from some merchants.
Upgrade Effect: Slightly improves line durability and increases rare catch rate by about 10%.

Nyxperience Rod Upgrades

First Upgrade:
- Material Needed: Ancient Dragon Tooth (x1)
- How to Obtain: Catch the Legendary Catfish in the Vesperpool area. This fish is tough to reel in without a decent rod and line, so prepare with strong tackle.
- Upgrade Effect: Improves rarity boost by 20% and reduces reel time.
Second Upgrade:
- Material Needed: Cactuar Needle (x2)
- How to Obtain: Cactuar Needles are rare drops from Cactuar monsters found in deserts or during specific timed quests. Alternatively, they can be purchased at the Altissia market for a high price.
- Upgrade Effect: Adds a 30% rarity boost cumulative with the first upgrade, making it significantly easier to catch rare fish.

Reel Love Upgrades

First Upgrade:
- Material Needed: Magitek Core (x1)
- How to Obtain: Magitek Cores are dropped by MA-X Angelus-0, a rare enemy that appears after Chapter 7. Defeating it requires patience and strong combat skills.
- Upgrade Effect: Boosts rarity by 40% and improves line strength.
Second Upgrade:
- Material Needed: Gemlight (x1)
- How to Obtain: Gemlight is a rare item dropped by the legendary fish Liege of the Lake in the Vesperpool. Catching this fish is one of the toughest challenges in the game.
- Upgrade Effect: Maximizes rarity boost to 50% and greatly reduces breakage chance.

Tips for Maximizing Catch Rarity

Use the Right Bait
Different fish are attracted to specific bait. For rare species, use special bait like the Crimson Lobster or Platinum Myrltrout. These can be purchased in Altissia or earned as quest rewards.
Fish at the Right Time
Some rare fish only appear during certain weather conditions or times of day. For example, the Pink Jade Gar appears only at night in clear weather. Check fishing logs or online resources for specific details.
Perfect Your Technique
Reeling efficiently reduces the chance of the line breaking. Keep the tension in the green zone by gently pulling against the fish’s movements. Use the reel button intermittently rather than holding it down.
Complete Navyth’s Quests
Navyth’s questline not only rewards you with the Reel Love rod but also teaches advanced techniques and unlocks new fishing spots. Completing these quests is essential for serious anglers.
Equip Fishing-Related Accessories
Accessories like the Reel Magnet increase the chance of rare bites, while the Line Strength accessory reduces breakage. These can be found in shops or as quest rewards.

Recommended Fishing Spots for Rare Catches

Vesperpool: Home to the Liege of the Lake and other legendary fish. Requires a strong rod and line.
Altissia: The fishing arena offers unique challenges and rare species like the Regal Arapaima.
Galdin Quay: A great spot for intermediate rare fish such as the Lucian Catfish.
Cape Caem: Offers a variety of rare fish in deeper waters.

Conclusion

Upgrading your fishing rod in Final Fantasy XV is a game-changer for anyone looking to master the art of fishing. From the humble Beginner Rod to the mighty Reel Love, each upgrade brings you closer to catching the rarest and most valuable fish in Eos. By collecting the right materials, using optimal bait, and honing your technique, you’ll soon be reeling in legendary catches with ease. Happy fishing