- Exquisite fishing mermaid: A recurring special target found in the Calm, Turbulent, and Dark Oceans with varying requirements.
- Calm Ocean Entry: Locate the Mermaid at 50m using a Regular Hook and Diamond Ring.
- Equipment Strategy: Higher tiers of the Mermaid require the Reinforced Hook and Super Hook respectively.
- Monetization: Catching the Mermaid is a primary source of gold, yielding up to 20,000g in the late game.
- Progression: Unlocking the Mermaid scenes is essential for completing the Fishipedia and character gallery.
Core Loop and Mermaid Mechanics
The gameplay loop of this pixel-art adventure centers on precision casting, depth management, and strategic equipment selection. Players begin their journey in the Calm Ocean, utilizing the Regular Old Boat to explore the upper layers of the sea. The exquisite fishing mermaid serves as the first major milestone for new players, acting as both a high-value gold source and a gateway to the game's character progression system. Success depends on matching the correct lure depth with the specific hook and gift combination required by the target.
Video Highlights:
- Basic Casting: How to guide the lure to specific depth markers.
- Hook Meter: Managing the tension to ensure a successful catch.
- Selling Route: Converting early Mermaid catches into boat upgrades.
To maximize efficiency, players must understand that the Mermaid is not a one-time encounter. She appears in different biomes with escalating difficulty. In the early stages, focus on mastering the "guiding" mechanic, where you steer the lure past common fish to reach the 50m mark where the first Mermaid resides.
| Ocean Biome | Depth | Base Value | Primary Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calm Ocean | 50m | 300g | Regular Hook + Diamond Ring |
| Turbulent Ocean | 200m | 7,000g | Reinforced Hook + Lovely Ribbon |
| Dark Ocean | 800m | 20,000g | Super Hook + Pearl Necklace |
In the Calm Ocean, the Mermaid is the most reliable way to farm the 1,500g needed for the Regular Boat. Always keep a Diamond Ring equipped when diving to 50m.
Mermaid Unlock Requirements and Loadouts
Unlocking every scene involving the exquisite fishing mermaid requires a deep understanding of the shop's inventory. Unlike standard fish, the Mermaid is a "Special Creature" that only triggers a catch sequence if the player has the correct "Gift" equipped. These gifts are purchased from the shop and are consumed or checked upon interaction. As you progress into the Turbulent and Dark Oceans, the equipment requirements become significantly more expensive and specific.
Calm Mermaid
- Depth: 50m
- Hook: Regular Hook
- Gift: Diamond Ring
- Reward: 300g
Turbulent Mermaid
- Depth: 200m
- Hook: Reinforced Hook
- Gift: Lovely Ribbon
- Reward: 7,000g
Dark Mermaid
- Depth: 800m
- Hook: Super Hook
- Gift: Pearl Necklace
- Reward: 20,000g
The transition from the Calm Ocean to the Turbulent Ocean represents a major difficulty spike. The Reinforced Hook is necessary to handle the increased tension at 200m. Furthermore, the gift requirement shifts from the Diamond Ring to the Lovely Ribbon. If you attempt to catch the Mermaid with the wrong gift, she will simply ignore the lure, wasting your cast and time.
| Equipment Type | Item Name | Use Case | Progression Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook | Regular Hook | Calm Ocean Mermaid/Angler | Starting Gear |
| Hook | Reinforced Hook | Turbulent Mermaid/Anemone | Mid-Game Upgrade |
| Hook | Super Hook | Dark Mermaid/Turbulent Shark | Late-Game Power |
| Gift | Diamond Ring | Calm Mermaid Attraction | Early-Game Essential |
| Gift | Lovely Ribbon | Turbulent Mermaid Attraction | Mid-Game Milestone |
Don't sell your old gifts immediately. While the Mermaid's requirements change, other creatures like the Shark or Whale may still require items like the Diamond Ring in later oceans.
Step-by-Step Progression Walkthrough
To efficiently unlock all content related to the exquisite fishing mermaid, players should follow a structured progression path. This prevents "gold-stalling," where a player spends all their money on a hook they cannot yet use in their current ocean.
The Calm Ocean Grind
Start in the Calm Ocean with the Regular Old Boat. Your first goal is to purchase the Diamond Ring. Once equipped with the Regular Hook, dive to 50m and catch the Mermaid repeatedly until you have 1,500g.
Upgrading the Vessel
Purchase the Regular Boat for 1,500g. This unlocks the Rocky Ocean. While the Mermaid does not have a unique scene here, the Rocky Ocean is vital for farming the Reinforced Hook and Lovely Ribbon needed for the next stage.
Turbulent Waters
Invest 5,000g into the Reinforced Boat to enter the Turbulent Ocean. Equip the Reinforced Hook and Lovely Ribbon. Target the Mermaid at 200m to secure a 7,000g payout, which will fund your path to the Dark Ocean.
The Deepest Depths
The final goal is the Golden Boat (8,000g). In the Dark Ocean, the Mermaid descends to 800m. You must have the Super Hook and Pearl Necklace to trigger this final encounter and complete her gallery entries.
| Boat Tier | Access | Cost | Mermaid Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Old | Calm Ocean | 0g | 50m (300g) |
| Regular Boat | Rocky Ocean | 1,500g | N/A (Focus on Gold) |
| Reinforced | Turbulent Ocean | 5,000g | 200m (7,000g) |
| Golden Boat | Dark Ocean | 8,000g | 800m (20,000g) |
Avoid buying the "Mighty Dildo" or "Anal Beads Hook" early on unless you are specifically targeting the Octopus. These items do not help with Mermaid progression and can delay your boat upgrades.
Advanced Tactics and Gallery Completion
For players aiming for 100% completion, the exquisite fishing mermaid is just one part of a larger ecosystem. The Fishipedia requires you to log every variant of the creature across all biomes. This includes managing the "Fish Report," which tracks your successful catches and rewards you with lore fragments.
Mermaid Completion Checklist:
- Catch Calm Ocean Mermaid (50m) with Diamond Ring
- Catch Turbulent Ocean Mermaid (200m) with Lovely Ribbon
- Catch Dark Ocean Mermaid (800m) with Pearl Necklace
- Unlock all 3 Mermaid Gallery scenes
- Complete the Fishipedia entry for all Mermaid depths
Beyond the Mermaid, the Turbulent Ocean contains a key collectible known as Grandpa's Letter at 1,000m. Finding this item is crucial for the endgame narrative, though it does not require a specific hook or gift combination—only extreme depth.
| Target | Depth | Value | Required Hook | Required Gift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mermaid (Final) | 800m | 20,000g | Super Hook | Pearl Necklace |
| Shark (Deep) | 900m | 24,000g | Super Hook | Diamond Ring |
| Angler (Endgame) | 2,000m | 45,000g | Omega Hook | Diamond Ring |
Remember that scenes only unlock on the first successful catch of that specific Mermaid variant. Subsequent catches provide gold but do not replay the unlock sequence unless accessed via the Gallery menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why isn't the exquisite fishing mermaid appearing at 50m?
Ensure you have the Diamond Ring equipped in your gift slot. If you have the wrong gift or no gift at all, the Mermaid will not spawn or interact with your lure.
Q: Can I catch the 800m Mermaid with a Reinforced Hook?
No. The 800m Mermaid in the Dark Ocean requires the Super Hook. Using a lower-tier hook will result in a line snap or the target ignoring the lure entirely.
Q: What is the best way to farm gold for the Golden Boat?
The 900m Shark in the Turbulent Ocean (24,000g) and the 300m Angler in the Calm Ocean (10,000g) are the most efficient gold farms before reaching the Dark Ocean.
Q: Where are the save files located for Exquisite Fishing?
On Windows, your save files are typically found in the AppData directory: LocalLow/PinkySoul/Exquisite Fishing. Always backup this folder before attempting major upgrades.
Focus on the Mermaid early to build your bankroll. Her 300g and 7,000g tiers are the most accessible milestones for mid-game progression.