best way to get rare fish?

[ohno dannie]

ive used fish bait, and ive only caught one red snapper..nothing rarer than that...

in my experience, the aquarium in my museum is always the most empty because i fish things ive already donated because i always get super common fish

 

[moo_nieu]

Lots of fishing haha I think they nerfed the rare fish rates since the game came out but that's just how I feel from personal experience (and my struggle to catch the Mahi-Mahi)

 

[ohno dannie]

Lots of fishing haha I think they nerfed the rare fish rates since the game came out but that's just how I feel from personal experience (and my struggle to catch the Mahi-Mahi)

so the more i fish, the more likely it is for me to get rarer fish?

 

[elphieluvr]

so the more i fish, the more likely it is for me to get rarer fish?

the spawn rates don’t actually increase, but statistically the more fish you catch the more chances you get for a rare one. Try varying the times of day you fish for more variety.

 

[moo_nieu]

It's not a skill you level up. It just takes patience (sorry for any confusion)

 

[Nefarious]

The more fish you catch the more new fish will spawn in it’s place. You’re bound to catch some rare ones occasionally this way.

 

[chlostick]

I do a lot of fishing because it’s an easy way to get bells. I haven’t found a new fish in over a week! But I keep fishing. I find some spots on my island are prone to having the same fish.

 

[ohno dannie]

It's not a skill you level up. It just takes patience (sorry for any confusion)

yes, im aware..i just meant statistically

 

[Xara]

lots of fish bait and prayers - fishing while it’s raining also helps a bit as it seems to increase the spawn rates a bit (and plus, you’ll make bank if you catch coelacanths lol)

 

[Clock]

It’s basically rng while fishing, the best way is to get more bait. I heard going to the island increases rates, but I’m not sure if it’s true.

 

[Alicia]

A lot of fish bait and a lot of patience.
I've been crafting fish bait randomly this past week to catch that mahi-mahi.
Also need to catch a ranchu goldfish, but I never remember to fish in a pond between 12pm-4pm.

 

[ohno dannie]

A lot of fish bait and a lot of patience.
I've been crafting fish bait randomly this past week to catch that mahi-mahi.
Also need to catch a ranchu goldfish, but I never remember to fish in a pond between 12pm-4pm.

ooh, knowing the time slots and locations help! how can i find those?

 

[Alicia]

ooh, knowing the time slots and locations help! how can i find those?

I believe you can find them online, by searching the animal crossing wiki.
It should be next to where it says "Time of Day," it also tells you the months they are available.

 

[Sholee]

it's also easier to spawn fish on the island tours because the island is much smaller, it's easier to run around to scare away the fishes you don't want so that you can try to spawn more rare fishes.

 

[ohno dannie]

it's also easier to spawn fish on the island tours because the island is much smaller, it's easier to run around to scare away the fishes you don't want so that you can try to spawn more rare fishes.

island tours as in mystery islands?
how do you know what the fish is when you run to scare it?

 

[Antonio]

You'll need like 100 baits to get what you are missing, I only got like 10+ new fishes that way. Also, remember locations are important for certain fish

 

[tajikey]

ooh, knowing the time slots and locations help! how can i find those?

There's an app called ACNH.Guide that has proven incredibly useful. You can get the free version that's got ad support, or pay 2 for no ads.

 

[Sholee]

how do you know what the fish is when you run to

Fishes have different sizes, so if the fish i'm looking for has a big shadow, I'll run and scare the small shadow fishes away.

 

[Islandernewcomer64]

Speaking of rare fish, I tried catching an oarfish while in TV mode using a pro controller, but no matter how fast I was, it would always swim away. Maybe there's a bug with the A button or something?

 

[ohno dannie]

Speaking of rare fish, I tried catching an oarfish while in TV mode using a pro controller, but no matter how fast I was, it would always swim away. Maybe there's a bug with the A button or something?

i have a lite, so i dont think id have this problem, but thanks for bringing it up!