- Exquisite fishing reddit strategies focus on a core loop: catch, sell, and upgrade to reach deeper biomes.
- Ocean Progression moves from the Calm Ocean to the 2,000m depths of the Dark Ocean.
- Special Catches like the Mermaid and Shark require specific Hook and Gift combinations to trigger scenes.
- Gold Priority should be given to Boat upgrades first to unlock higher-value fishing zones.
- Save Files are located in the LocalLow directory; always back them up before major updates.
Getting Started: The Core Fishing Loop
The gameplay in Exquisite Fishing revolves around a high-stakes progression system where every cast matters. Players start in the Calm Ocean with a basic vessel and must navigate the depths to secure valuable sea creatures. The community on exquisite fishing reddit often emphasizes that mastering the lure's movement is the most critical skill for beginners. You must guide the lure precisely to your target's depth while avoiding smaller, less valuable fish that might deplete your hook meter prematurely.
Video Highlights:
- Visual guide to the casting and reeling mechanics.
- Targeting strategies for early-game creatures like the Mermaid.
- Menu navigation for the shop and Fishipedia.
- Demonstration of the hook meter management.
| Action | Description | Key Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Casting | Launching the lure into the ocean | Reach specific depth milestones |
| Guiding | Moving the lure toward a target | Trigger creature interest |
| Hooking | Filling the engagement meter | Secure the catch for reeling |
| Selling | Trading fish for gold in the shop | Fund gear and boat upgrades |
| Upgrading | Purchasing new hooks and gifts | Unlock deeper ocean biomes |
Focus on catching the Calm Ocean Angler at 300m early on. Even though it requires a Box of Chocolates, its 10,000g payout is the fastest way to fund your first major boat upgrade.
Ocean Biomes and Depth Milestones
Exquisite Fishing features four distinct ocean biomes, each serving as a progression gate. You cannot simply dive into the deepest waters; each area requires a specific boat that withstands the pressure and environmental hazards of that zone. As you move from the Rocky Ocean to the Turbulent and Dark Oceans, the value of special catches increases exponentially, but so does the complexity of the equipment required.
Calm Ocean
- Access: Regular Old Boat (0g)
- Depth: 50m to 300m
- Key Targets: Mermaid, Shark, Angler
- Difficulty: Very Low
Rocky Ocean
- Access: Regular Boat (1,500g)
- Depth: 100m to 600m
- Key Targets: Octopus, Anemone, Kappa
- Difficulty: Low
Turbulent Ocean
- Access: Reinforced Boat (5,000g)
- Depth: 50m to 1,000m
- Key Targets: Whale, Grandpa's Letter
- Difficulty: Medium
Dark Ocean
- Access: Golden Boat (8,000g)
- Depth: 50m to 2,000m
- Key Targets: Deep Angler, Omega Catches
- Difficulty: High
| Biome | Entry Fee | Max Depth | Best Gold Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calm | 0g | 300m | Angler (10,000g) |
| Rocky | 1,500g | 600m | Angler (13,000g) |
| Turbulent | 5,000g | 1,000m | Shark (24,000g) |
| Dark | 8,000g | 2,000m | Deep Angler (45,000g) |
The Turbulent Ocean contains a unique story item: Grandpa's Letter at 1,000m. While it has no gold value, it is essential for completing the game's narrative arc.
Gear Upgrades and Priority Path
Success in Exquisite Fishing is dictated by your loadout. A common mistake discussed on exquisite fishing reddit is buying every available gift before upgrading your hook. Hooks determine the "strength" of the targets you can catch and the depths you can reach, while gifts act as modifiers to attract specific legendary creatures. Following an optimized upgrade path ensures you don't get stuck farming low-value fish in the mid-game.
Initial Funding
Use the Regular Hook and Diamond Ring in the Calm Ocean to catch Mermaids. Save up 1,500g immediately for the Regular Boat.
The Rocky Transition
Purchase the Double Shielded Hook and Mighty Dildo. This allows you to catch the Octopus at 100m in the Rocky Ocean, providing a steady 1,500g per catch.
Mid-Game Scaling
Save 5,000g for the Reinforced Boat. Once in the Turbulent Ocean, prioritize the Super Hook to target the 900m Shark, which yields a massive 24,000g.
Endgame Mastery
Buy the Golden Boat (8,000g) and work toward the Omega Hook. This is the only way to catch the 2,000m Angler in the Dark Ocean.
| Hook Type | Unlock Stage | Primary Use | Target Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Hook | Starting | Early game targets | Mermaid, Angler |
| Good Hook | Early | Calm Ocean scaling | Calm Shark |
| Reinforced Hook | Mid | Rocky/Turbulent depth | Anemone, Mermaid |
| Drill Hook | Mid | High-pressure zones | Kappa, Dark Shark |
| Anal Beads Hook | Late | Deep sea specials | Deep Octopus |
| Omega Hook | Endgame | Deepest possible catch | 2,000m Angler |
Never spend your last gold on a Gift. If you cannot afford the entry fee for the ocean where that gift is used, you will be forced to farm low-level fish again to recover.
Special Scene Unlock Requirements
The most sought-after content in Exquisite Fishing involves the mature character scenes. These are not unlocked by progression alone; they require a specific "Loadout" (Hook + Gift) and finding the character at the correct depth within a specific biome. If you have the wrong equipment, the character will simply ignore your lure.
| Creature | Ocean | Depth | Required Hook | Required Gift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mermaid | Calm | 50m | Regular Hook | Diamond Ring |
| Shark | Calm | 200m | Good Hook | Striped Pantie |
| Octopus | Rocky | 100m | Double Shielded | Mighty Dildo |
| Kappa | Rocky | 500m | Drill Hook | Pearl Necklace |
| Whale | Turbulent | 50m | Double Shielded | Striped Pantie |
| Shark | Turbulent | 900m | Super Hook | Diamond Ring |
| Angler | Dark | 2,000m | Omega Hook | Diamond Ring |
Gallery Completion Checklist:
- Unlock all 3 Calm Ocean special scenes
- Unlock all 4 Rocky Ocean special scenes
- Retrieve Grandpa's Letter from 1,000m
- Unlock the 2,000m Dark Ocean Angler scene
- Complete the Fishipedia entries for all biomes
The Mermaid appears in multiple oceans (Calm, Turbulent, Dark) but requires different gifts each time. In the Dark Ocean at 800m, she specifically requires the Pearl Necklace and Super Hook.
Save File Location and Troubleshooting
Many users on exquisite fishing reddit report issues with lost progress after game updates or when moving between the Steam and itch.io versions. Because the game is a Windows standalone title, the save data is stored locally. Knowing how to manually back up these files is essential for protecting your gold and gallery unlocks.
Manual Backup Steps:
- Press
Win + Ron your keyboard. - Type
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\PinkySoul\Exquisite Fishingand hit Enter. - Locate the save files (usually
.dator.jsonextensions). - Copy these files to a secure cloud folder or external drive.
| Issue | Potential Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Game Won't Launch | Corrupted save file | Move save file out of folder and restart |
| Scenes Not Unlocking | Wrong Hook/Gift combo | Verify requirements in the Fishipedia |
| Gold Not Saving | Permission issues | Run the game as Administrator |
| Missing Fish Report | Target not fully reeled | Ensure the catch animation completes |
Modifying save files to add gold can sometimes corrupt the "Fishipedia" flags, preventing certain character scenes from ever triggering. Use cheats at your own risk.
Q: How do I earn gold the fastest in Exquisite Fishing?
The most efficient way is to farm the Angler in the Calm Ocean (10,000g) until you can afford the Reinforced Boat, then move to the Turbulent Ocean Shark (24,000g).
Q: Where is the best place to find Exquisite Fishing Reddit communities?
While there isn't one massive subreddit, most players discuss the game on the itch.io comment boards or within general indie/adult gaming subreddits using the Exquisite Fishing tag.
Q: Can I catch the 2,000m Angler with a Regular Hook?
No. The 2,000m Angler in the Dark Ocean requires the Omega Hook. Using a lower-tier hook will result in the line snapping immediately.
Q: What does Grandpa's Letter do?
It is a key story collectible found at 1,000m in the Turbulent Ocean. It unlocks additional lore in the gallery but does not provide gold.