Fishing has too much RNG

[Reika]

They described fishing as choosing the right bait for the fish, but I discovered that one bait can catch every fish save the ones you need to mooch for in the lake. I'm fishing up in mor dhona right now, and no matter what bait I chose save the very low level bait, i'm catching every fish on the list except the ones I need to mooch for. The only thing you are guaranteed is that you will catch a low level fish if you use a low level bait, like going for ala mingan fighting fish, I just use bass balls since its the closest to their level but furthest from everything else in the water, but if you use a high level bait trying to go for the high level fish, you'll be catching every damn thing including those measly fish you don't want.

This includes lures. Baits need to have a reduced +/- catch level on them so that we really can go about choosing the right bait or lure. Fish that require mooching are one thing, but for others, too much randomness. There are only a slight few exceptions, like lvl50 fish in a lvl10 bed of water.

With the exception of mooch fish and bait specific fish, all fish need to have a bait level to fish level relationship. Best way is each bait will catch a fish within 5 levels of it. For lures the range can be higher, because you don't lose lures unless you aren't paying attention. We don't need to be catching a lvl3 fish with lvl35 bait.

Note: idiotic posts accomplish nothing and wont have a post wasted on them. You know who you are.

[Lumia]

This isn't true. One lure/bait (even if lvl 50) will not catch every fish in one area. While it may catch most, mooching aside, it won't catch all. I just fished a lvl 50 spot until it was completely depleted (about 500 fish later) using only Yumizuno lure and it wouldn't catch the rock lobster at all. I switched to Northern Krill and immediately got a rock lobster on the first pull.

[Reika]

Northern Krill can catch everything in that pool of water then, while another bait cant catch that one. Unless your every cast with northern krill caught rock lobster with every cast? of course it didnt. Remains true that one bait will catch every fish that isn't a mooch fish no matter the level. Just like Yomizuno will catch Mahi Mahi, and everything else. Northern Krill is also what you use to catch Shall Shell, and of course it catches everything else too.

In waters where there are no star fish, the highest level bait will simply land everything that is not a mooch fish. It won't ignore those low level fish. The point is, lvl50 bait shouldn't catch lvl 3 fish when there are lvl 48 fish in the waters, but it happens, and too often. I'm totally fine with there being bait specific to certain fish, im not denying there are, but that SAME bait will catch everything below its level, proven.

The system already makes you keep every bait at every level available, unless you want to keep buying and selling it back/discarding it over and over. Its not like, as a good fisher, you wont have that lower level bait avaliable, because I do. If I wanted to catch a meritor goby, I would put on a goby ball or possibly one of them lvl1 baits and catch em, not a northern krill.

[Inosaska]

The annoying thing is people who do the other disciples of land have a choice in what they get to choose so why is fishing the only one that is chance based?

[Lumia]

Fishing should be left slightly up to chance. You can manipulate it by the level of bait and what type of bait, but fishing is not the same as botany or mining.

In the real world, if you want to collect acorns from a tree, you can obviously see acorns on a tree and collect them. You wouldn't be randomly getting maple logs, or willow sticks. The same with mining, you can see what type of rock you are hitting with your pick-axe and therefore can collect your specific rock.

However, with fishing you have to rely on chance because there is the barrier of the water between you and the fish. You can't just stick your hand in the water and pick which fish you want.

[Dallie]

Reika's point stands. It is TOO random. The bait has been touted several times as 'supposed' to match fish level(s). Right now, in a great many fishing spots, it simply doesn't. I'm still reeling in tons of low level junk fish when all I want is say, kissing trout or mahi-mahi. Some is fine. A 10:1 ratio is not. The only times that the bait or lures actually seem to work properly and with any reliability is if it states on the description that is its tailored fish.

[Moochan]

I can't agree with this enough. This is especially true if you're trying to get a specific fish. Like Black Eel for example. Since every other fish in the Black Eel fishing hole east basically everything you throw in the water, fishing for them is a nightmare. I find myself exploiting this system to get anywhere. In South bloodshore I use lugworms to insure I get Malthor Goby's, so I can mooch them for silver sharks. Not because they goby's like lugworms, but because I have to use a lvl 1 bait to ensure I get them.

It's too random. I would like it to stay somewhat random, but I would prefer it if fish were more attracted to preferential baits. As it is now, it appears almost entirely random, save for a few fish like fullmoon sardines and such. .Also, let's get one thing straight, this is not real life, so let's not compare it to it. There are TONS of fish in this game. Part of the joy is experimenting and finding what works. This shouldn't be as simple as throwing in the proper level bait without any care as to whether the fish will like it or not

[Tlamila]

I completely agree, and that's the reason that prevents me from enjoying it fully. Sure I can just have fun going to a spot and fishing and see what the rng gods give me, but if I'm farming for a particular fish, I'd almost be better off checking the market.

If anything, there could be more kinds of baits added, to keep it realistic. Say a particular bait catches only very few kinds. You want to catch that fish, you go and get yourself that bait, instead of them being more tied to lvl grade.

[Zareth]

The annoying thing is people who do the other disciples of land have a choice in what they get to choose so why is fishing the only one that is chance based?

The other disciples also take longer to get their next level. If you think it's too easy to level fishing right now and want to get less xp per fish to go with being able to choose which fish to catch, this would be a valid point. But as it stands, I only agree that it's too random. I notice even at my low levels.

[Moochan]

I would take an EXP hit if it meant fish preferred certain bait, so I could go fishing for a particular fish.