Stardew Valley: How to Use Bait & Tackle

Stardew Valley Fishing

How to Use Bait and Tackle on Fishing Poles

Using bait and tackle can be a bit confusing for players new to Stardew Valley’s fishing system. Here’s a quick summary of how it’s done, and what they do for you when fishing. If you need help with how to fish, click here.

Bait

First know that the Bamboo fishing pole has no slots available for bait nor tackle. The better rods have these features. The ability to use bait comes with Level 2 Fishing, as it will make Will sell the Fiberglass fishing pole at his shop by the beach for 1,800G (you should receive a letter indicating he has it available). You can also buy bait cheap there, though level 2 fishing teaches you to craft your own.

How to Use Fishing Bait
To use bait, highlight the bait in your inventory, then pick it up as though you’re going to move it. Now go to the fishing pole and right-click. The bait will now be equipped to the pole. With an Xbox controller you select it with ‘A’ and equip it to the fishing pole with ‘X’. You can remove the bait by right-clicking or pressing ‘X’ a second time.

You can attach a whole stack of bait so you only need to do this every now and then. Having bait equipped to a fishing pole will increase the speed at which fish ‘bite’. This means less time sitting around, and more time reeling in the fish. It greatly increases your profit per day from fishing. Whether you catch the fish or not, you’ll use up one of your bait.

Tackle

How to Use Tackle
Tackle (spinners, barbed hooks, and bobbers) is equipped the same way. Pick up the tackle in your inventory, go over the fishing rod then right click or press ‘X’ on the Xbox controller to attach it to the pole.

Tackle is only available from Fishing level 6 onward and requires you to buy the Iridium Fishing Rod, which has slots for both bait and tackle. Tackle has the largest effect on your ability to catch rare fish. Unlike bait, which decreases in quantity with each use, tackle has durability. Different types of tackle do different things:

• Spinner (Fishing Level 6) – Increases the rate that fish will bite.
• Lead Bobber (Fishing Level 6) – Stops the bar bouncing when it hits the bottom of the frame during the fishing minigame. Not useful very often.
• Trap Bobber (Fishing Level 6) – Makes the fishing minigame bar drop slower, meaning you don’t have to click as fast to keep it steady on one level. One of the best.
• Cork Bobber (Fishing Level 7) – Increases the size of the bar in the fishing minigame by a bit, varies depending on your fishing level. Others are better. Remember, more fishing levels increases the size of the bar as well!
• Treasure hunter (Fishing Level 7) – Increases the chance of treasure chests appearing by 1/3 (meaning 20% total chance). Great for finding artifacts. These are crafted for 2 gold bars or bought for 750G from Willy.
• Dressed Spinner (Fishing Level 8) – Further increases the rate fish will bite.
• Barbed Hook (Fishing Level 8) – Helps the bar stick to the fish during the fishing minigame, making it easier.

Like Stardew Valley’s regular bait item, different types of tackle can be bought from Willy’s shop as you level up. Naturally, you unlock the ability to craft the majority of these on the same level they become available in the shop, though a few are shop-exclusive. In general it seems better to buy them than to craft them, especially in the case of items like Treasure Hunter tackle unless you’re swimming in Gold bars.

More Information

See my Stardew Valley Fishing Guide for info on crab pots, fishing spots, and other information you’ll want to know if you’re learning the ins and outs of fishing in this game.

How to Fish
Spring Fish
Summer Fish
Fall Fish
Winter Fish