Red Dead Redemption 2 Fishing Guide: How to Fish, Bait and Fishing Tips

Fishing in Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t just a way to pass the time—it’s an art form. Whether you’re aiming to reel in legendary catches or simply stock the camp with fresh fish, mastering the right baits, lures, and techniques will transform you from a novice angler into a frontier fishing legend. Ready to cast your line into the wild waters of the Old West? Here’s everything you need to know to make every catch count.

Fishing is both time-consuming and challenging. This page contains tips that will help you with this activity.

If you want to get into the deep end, you can check the page dedicated to legendary fish. These animals are more challenging than the regular fish, so it is best to catch a few smaller specimens and learn the mechanics.

Where can I get bait and lures?

If you’re looking to stock up on bait and lures in Red Dead Redemption 2, the best place to visit is the Bait Shop located in the Lemoyne region, near Lake Lagras. Here, you can purchase a variety of bait such as live crickets, worms, and crayfish, as well as specialized lures like the Lake Lure, River Lure, and Swamp Lure. For more challenging fishing scenarios, invest in Special Lures, which are highly effective but cost $20 each. Make sure to carry enough bait for your fishing trips, as it can be consumed when a fish escapes. Additionally, completing certain quests or crafting upgrades may allow you to carry more bait at once.

Visit a store before you go fishing. You can go to the Bait Shop located in Lagras. Here, you can find all the baits available in RDR2. You can also visit any General Store and buy worms or slices of cheese.

Tips

To excel at fishing in Red Dead Redemption 2, start by selecting the right bait or lure for the type of water and fish you’re targeting. For instance, use Special Lures for Legendary Fish and match your bait to the environment—lake, river, or swamp. Pay attention to ripples on the water’s surface as they indicate fish activity. When reeling in a catch, avoid snapping your line by stopping when the fish struggles and tiring it out first. Finally, visit the bait shop in Lagras for a variety of lures and bait to enhance your fishing experience.

1. Clear the area – some fishing spots are dangerous. Kill all enemies in the area before you start fishing. Alligators are the main source of threat – these animals can interrupt your fishing at any time.
2. Don’t get yourself tired – fishing can be tiring and time-consuming. It also makes your hands tired. Your performance can start dropping when you fish for a few hours straight. Try to take breaks by focusing on other activities available in the game.
3. Pay attention to weather – don’t go fishing when there is storm, strong wind or when it rains. Wind makes fishing more problematic. Also, fish will have better chances of escaping from you.
4. Look at the water – cast your bait only in places where you can see fish. Casting a bait in places without fish means that you will have to wait a while for them to react.
5. Don’t pay attention to the time of the day – in Red Dead Redemption 2 it doesn’t matter what time is it, at least when it comes to fishing. You can fish in the morning or during the night.
6. Release the fish free if you aren’t fishing for money or resources – this will give you additional honor points.
7. If you catch a big fish – either cook it immediately or take to the camp. Your horse can carry only one big fish. There is no point in catching a few larger specimens and then pile them up.
8. Swim in a boat and then cast your bait – this reduces the risk of getting interrupted. You also get a chance to catch more interesting species.
9. Don’t reel when a fish is yanking the line – if you do that, fish will rip the line and swim away.
10. Hold the left trigger as often as you can – thanks to that it will be easier for you to take out a fish. Holding this button will allow you to attract a fish.

Controls

Controls

Fishing in Red Dead Redemption 2 involves mastering a series of controls to ensure a successful catch. To equip your fishing rod, open the item wheel by holding L1/LB and navigate to the fishing rod under the hunting items section. Once equipped, hold L2/LT to aim and press R2/RT to cast your line—holding it longer for greater distance. After casting, use the right stick to reel slowly and entice fish. When a fish bites, indicated by strong vibrations, hook it by pressing R2/RT again. To tire the fish, pull the left stick in the opposite direction of its movements and avoid reeling while it struggles to prevent the line from snapping. Once the fish is tired, reel it in by rotating the right stick clockwise. If the line vibrates again, stop reeling and repeat until you successfully catch your fish.

Types of baits and lures

Types of Baits and Lures

In Red Dead Redemption 2, selecting the right bait or lure is essential for successful fishing. Baits like bread, cheese, corn, and crickets are ideal for catching smaller to medium-sized fish such as pickerel, bass, and catfish. For larger fish and legendary catches, lures are more effective. Standard lures include river, lake, and swamp lures, each suited to specific water types. Special lures—like the Special River Lure or Special Lake Lure—are indispensable for legendary fish, offering better attraction and durability. Stock up on these items at the Bait Shop in Lagras or general stores to ensure you’re prepared for any fishing scenario.

Bobber:

1. Bread – smaller fish – pickerel, bass.
2. Corn – smaller fish, i.e. bullhead catfish
3. Cheese – medium fish, i.e. bass
4. Crickets – medium fish, i.e. trout.

Lure:

1. River lure – small and medium fish found in rivers.
2. Lake lure – medium and large fish found in lakes.
3. Swamp lure – large fish living in swamps.
4. Special River lure – large and legendary fish found in rivers.
5. Special Lake lure – large and legendary fish found in lakes.
6. Special Swamp lure – large and legendary fish living in swamps.

What are the best baits to use in different types of water

The best baits to use in different types of water depend on whether you’re fishing in freshwater or saltwater, as well as the specific environment and target species:

Freshwater Fishing

1. Lakes and Ponds:

   • Worms: Effective for bass, bluegill, and catfish.

   • Minnows: Great for crappie, perch, and bass.

   • Artificial Lures: Soft plastics like worms or frogs work well in shallow areas.

2. Rivers and Streams:

   • Crayfish: Ideal for bass and trout near rocky areas.

   • Insects (like grasshoppers): Effective for trout.

   • Spinners or Spoons: Mimic small baitfish in moving water.

Saltwater Fishing

1. Inshore Waters (Mangroves, Flats, Estuaries):

   • Shrimp: A versatile bait for species like snook, redfish, and trout.

   • Pilchards (White Bait): Excellent for targeting tarpon, redfish, and snook.

   • Mullet: Best for larger predators like tarpon and jack crevalle.

2. Offshore Waters (Reefs, Wrecks, Open Ocean):

   • Squid: Effective for bottom-dwelling species like snapper and grouper.

   • Threadfin Herring: Ideal for pelagic species such as tuna, king mackerel, and sailfish.

   • Ballyhoo: A favorite for trolling to attract marlin and mahi-mahi.

General Tips

• Match the bait to the local prey species that your target fish naturally feed on.

• Use live bait whenever possible for higher success rates in both freshwater and saltwater environments.

What are the best baits for freshwater fishing

Here are some of the best baits for freshwater fishing, categorized by type:

Live Baits

1. Worms: Versatile and effective for bass, walleye, and panfish. They are easy to find in local bait shops or in your yard.

2. Minnows: Popular for catching bass, crappie, and trout. They can be used in various fishing techniques like drifting or trolling.

3. Crayfish: Excellent for smallmouth bass and catfish. Use them alive for bass and dead for catfish.

4. Leeches: Ideal for walleye and northern pike. Hook them through the tail sucker.

5. Insects (Crickets, Grasshoppers): Great for panfish like bluegill.

Prepared Baits

1. Dough Balls: Effective for catfish, crappie, and trout. Can be homemade or store-bought.

2. Cut Bait: Attracts fish that rely on scent, such as catfish and carp.

Artificial Baits

1. Soft-Plastic Worms: Useful for bass and other species. Can be rigged in various ways.

2. Jigs: Effective for crappie and other panfish.

3. Crankbaits: Good for covering large areas in cool to warm waters.

Tips

• Always check local regulations to ensure the bait you choose is legal.

• Match the bait to the target species and water conditions for best results.