FFXIV Ocean Fishing Bait Guide: Maximize Your Catch and Score

Ocean fishing in Final Fantasy 14 offers a unique and enjoyable side activity, allowing players to embark on voyages with fellow adventurers to reel in a variety of aquatic creatures. While the experience can be relaxing, knowing the right strategies, especially bait selection, is crucial to maximizing your score and rewards. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of ocean fishing bait in FFXIV, ensuring you’re well-prepared for your next nautical adventure.

What is Ocean Fishing?

Imagine an alliance raid, but instead of combat, you’re casting lines! Ocean fishing in FFXIV gathers you and other players aboard a large vessel, sailing through different fishing locations. Your goal is to catch fish, earn points, and complete specific objectives within a set timeframe. Each voyage is a party effort, with multiple parties on the same boat, all contributing to the overall experience.

The excitement of ocean fishing is amplified by the chance to trigger spectral currents. These special events occur when you catch specific “spectral” fish, and they dramatically increase the frequency and point value of fish you can catch. Triggering spectral currents is often key to achieving high scores and completing objectives. Objectives can range from catching specific types of fish, like sharks or jellyfish, to reaching certain point thresholds.

How to Unlock Ocean Fishing in FFXIV

Before you can set sail on your fishing expedition, you’ll need to unlock the Fisher job. This can be done by visiting the Fisherman’s Guild located in Limsa Lominsa. After unlocking Fisher, you’ll need to complete the initial Fisher quest, “My First Fishing Rod.” The great news is that you can participate in ocean fishing even at Fisher level 1, making it an excellent method for leveling up your Fisher quickly.

To officially unlock ocean fishing, undertake the quest “All the Fish in the Sea” also in Limsa Lominsa. Speak to the NPC Fhilsnoe to begin the quest:

Once the quest is complete, you can queue for ocean fishing by speaking to Dryskthota at the Limsa Lominsa Ferry Docks, situated west of the Arcanist’s Guild Aetheryte. Remember, ocean fishing is only available during specific times.

It’s worth noting that accessing the Ruby route, which includes Stormblood locations, requires completion of the Stormblood expansion storyline.

Ocean Fishing Schedule

Ocean fishing isn’t available around the clock. It operates on a schedule, with registration opening for fifteen minutes at the start of every other real-world hour. For instance, if registration begins at 2:00 PM, you have until 2:15 PM to queue. If you miss the window, you’ll need to wait until 4:00 PM for the next opportunity.

While you can generally rely on even or odd hours, daylight savings and time zone differences can shift the exact times. For the most accurate and up-to-date schedule, including information on upcoming routes and objectives, it’s highly recommended to use a tool like Lulu’s Tools ocean fishing schedule.

The Ultimate FFXIV Ocean Fishing Bait Guide

Choosing the right bait is paramount to success in ocean fishing, influencing the types of fish you attract and your chances of triggering spectral currents. While communication within your ocean fishing group is often helpful, understanding bait basics will significantly enhance your personal performance and contribution.

Bait Basics: Krill, Ragworm, and Plump Worm

There are three primary bait types essential for ocean fishing: krill, ragworm, and plump worm. Conveniently, all three can be purchased from the merchant located right on the docks where you queue for ocean fishing. It’s advisable to stock up on a generous amount of each bait type before embarking on your voyage.

While specialized bait exists for certain rare catches, focusing on krill, ragworm, and plump worm for general fishing and spectral current triggering will provide the most consistent results and point accumulation.

Optimal Bait by Location: Maximize Spectral Currents

To effectively trigger spectral currents and maximize your catches, using the correct bait for each location is crucial. Here’s a location-based bait guide to help you:

Using these bait recommendations will significantly increase your chances of triggering spectral currents in each zone, leading to higher scores and more rewards. Remember that these are general guidelines for spectral currents and efficient point gathering.

Spectral Current Bait Strategy

During a spectral current, the fish biting become more predictable and often higher value. While the bait used to trigger the spectral current remains effective, you can sometimes optimize further. Pay attention to alliance chat as experienced fishers may suggest specific bait adjustments during spectral currents for even greater efficiency. However, sticking with the recommended bait for the location is generally a safe and effective strategy even within spectral currents.

Advanced Bait Tips for Ocean Fishing

Beyond location-specific bait, consider these additional tips to elevate your ocean fishing game:

• Experimentation: While the above table offers excellent guidance, don’t be afraid to experiment slightly, especially if you’re aiming for specific fish for objectives. Sometimes, deviating slightly can yield surprising results.
• Time of Day & Weather (Limited Impact): Unlike regular fishing in FFXIV, ocean fishing is less affected by in-game time and weather. Focus primarily on location-appropriate bait rather than trying to match in-game conditions.
• Listen to Party Chat: As mentioned, experienced players often share bait advice in alliance chat. Pay attention and be ready to adjust your bait based on their suggestions, especially during spectral currents.
• Don’t Overthink It: For general point accumulation and spectral current triggering, the krill, ragworm, and plump worm combination, used in the correct locations, is highly effective. Avoid getting bogged down in overly complex bait strategies, especially when starting out.

How to Get a High Score in Ocean Fishing

While luck plays a role, maximizing your ocean fishing score involves strategy and preparation:

• Clear Your Inventory: Ocean fishing yields a large number of unique fish, quickly filling inventory slots. Empty your inventory beforehand to avoid interruptions. Crucially, avoid using the “release list” feature to discard fish, as the discarding animation wastes valuable fishing time.
• Utilize Cordials: Bring and use Cordials and Hi-Cordials to replenish your GP. Actively using fishing skills like Patience, Powerful Hookset, and Precision Hookset is vital for catching higher-value fish. Avoid relying solely on the basic “Hook” skill.
• Thalaik’s Favor: Remember to use Thalaik’s Favor, a level 15 Fisher skill. It exchanges three stacks of Angler’s Art (gained from catching big fish) for 150 GP, helping sustain your skill usage.
• Chum During Spectral Currents: Use Chum between catches during spectral currents to significantly increase fish bite speed, allowing you to catch more fish in the boosted period.
• Focus on Bonuses, Not Just Points: Don’t fixate on your point total during the voyage. Numerous bonus points are awarded at the end, often significantly boosting your overall score. You might be surprised by how many bonuses you accumulate.

By implementing these tips, achieving scores above 10,000 points, sufficient for obtaining mounts and minions, becomes readily attainable.

Ocean Fishing Rewards

Ocean fishing provides substantial EXP and gatherers’ scrips (at higher levels). However, the most sought-after rewards are exclusive and tied to specific achievements:

Minions and Mounts:

• On a Boat IV: Cumulative 1 million points – Much-coveted Mora minion
• No More Fish in the Sea I: 5,000+ points on Indigo route – The Major-General minion
• No more Fish in the Sea II: 10,000+ points on Indigo route – Hybodus Horn mount
• Near, Far, Wherever Fish Are II: 10,000+ points on Ruby route – Mossasaurus minion
• Mine, Mine, Mine: Encounter 3 seagull flocks – Gull minion
• Double-backwards Somersault: Encounter 3 dolphin pods – Dolphin Calf minion

Claim these rewards from the achievements menu once earned.

Titles:

• On a Boat V: Cumulative 3 million points – World-class Troller
• No More Fish in the Sea III: 16,000+ points on Indigo route – Ocean Fisher
• No More Fish in the Sea IV: 20,000+ points on Indigo route – Master of the Sea
• Near, Far, Wherever Fish Are III: 16,000+ points on Ruby route – Doom of the Deep
• Octopus Travelers Bonus: Indigo route – Octopus Traveler
• Certifiable Shark Hunters Bonus: Indigo route – Shark Hunter
• Jelled Together Bonus: Indigo route – Jellyfish Fanatic
• Maritime Dragonslayers Bonus: Indigo route – Sea Dragoon
• Balloon Catchers Bonus: Indigo route – Balloon Catcher
• Crab Boat Crew Bonus: Indigo route – Deadliest Catcher
• Sticking it to the Manta Bonus: Indigo route – Manta Maniac
• Maximum Mussel Bonus: Ruby route – Sea Comber
• Squid Squadron Bonus: Ruby route – Squidzure Dragoon
• Shrimp Smorgasbord Bonus: Ruby route – Shrimp Mariner

Ocean fishing in FFXIV offers a rewarding and engaging experience, particularly when you understand the nuances of bait selection and scoring strategies. By utilizing this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to maximize your catches, achieve high scores, and reel in those coveted ocean fishing rewards.