Gathering - targeting specific items

[CrstyCaptin]

Did some searching, did some looking, found a bunch of stupid threads, so now I'm making one to hopefully find some concrete information.

With regards to targeting specific items while gathering, which includes say black sole, electrum ore, and rosewood logs, I'm curious how to target these items without getting all the stupid 'by catch' crap along the way. I remember SE posting a few threads a whiiiiiile back stating that with the right stats and meeting the right level you should be able to pull (I believe the example was black eels?) almost every time. Now am I confusing this with be able to only get BITES from black eels 90% of the time or is this simply when you hook into a black eel you can jig in the same spot every time and pull him up?

After trying to target box turtles for GC seals and having half my catches river crabs, I'm just looking for a way to target items better.

[Raldo]

Now am I confusing this with be able to only get BITES from black eels 90% of the time or is this simply when you hook into a black eel you can jig in the same spot every time and pull him up?

Yes, you are confusing it with that. Once your level and gathering stat and a certain stat breach a certain threshold, the jig/chop/strike location during the approach phase (phase 2 of the minigame) will always be in the same location.

As far as I know, nothing affects what item comes up except where you select during the first phase of the minigame (the 'aim' phase). Even if something does affect it, nothing guarantees that you'll get what you're aiming for.

Edit: Found the source (1.17 patch notes)

[dev1039] When the three below conditions are met in regards to the grade and difficulty of a gathering attempt, the "sweet spot" of the approach phase will be in a fixed location.

1. Class rank
2. Values of VIT for miners, STR for botanists, and DEX for fishers
3. Bait and lures (for fishing only)

ex.) At a certain grade and difficulty, having the appropriate rank, DEX value, and bait/lure will ensure that jigging the rod precisely in the middle will result in a black eel hit.

The approach phase is phase 2 of the minigame (it says 'approach' above the jig/chop/strike box).

[Eruantien]

it is as aldo says, the stats are for the jig area, the second stage of the mini game, the only way to get what you want is position and the abilities that when proced gives you more of a chance of getting what you are aiming for.

[CrstyCaptin]

Oh ok, thanks for clearing that up. I know the jig part was true from fishing for so long but it's frustrating catching all this crap when you're only targeting one item. I'll toss up some abilities next time to help with the targeting.

[Estellios]

I think for fishing, what bait you use matters more than before in determining what you pull up. I haven't seriously fished in a while but I remember one of the more recent patch notes mentioning something to that effect.