To get a fishing rod in RuneScape: Dragonwilds, reach Fishing level 3, then craft an Ash Rod at a Crafting Table using 1 Ash Log and 1 Coarse Thread. Begin by catching shrimp with a Coarse Net, then turn some of those shrimp into bait for your first rod catches.
Unlock your first fishing rod
The Dragonwilds Wiki's Fishing Rod page identifies level 3 as the requirement for unlocking rod crafting. You earn those first Fishing levels by using a net.
Follow this starting sequence:
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Craft a Coarse Net. It requires 2 Coarse Thread, according to BisectHosting's fishing guide.
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Begin the introductory quest. Speak with the Wise Old Man for the fishing introduction. The Dragonwilds Wiki identifies this quest as Shrimp Catcher.
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Catch shrimp until Fishing level 3. Look for small circles of bubbling or rippling water close to shore. These are net fishing spots.
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Return to your Crafting Table. Make an Ash Rod with 1 Ash Log and 1 Coarse Thread.
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Prepare Shrimp Bait. Each Raw Shrimp makes one bait at the Crafting Table. Equip the rod and bait before heading to a rod fishing spot.
Keep some shrimp for bait while training. They connect the two fishing methods: your net provides the ingredient needed to target sardines with your new rod.
Fishing rod recipes and upgrades
The Ash Rod is the starting option. Oak and Willow rods use additional materials and a different crafting station. Fextralife's Fishing Equipment page, marked as checked for version 1.0.0.2, lists these early recipes:
| Rod | Ingredients for one rod | Station | Base durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Rod | 1 Ash Log, 1 Coarse Thread | Crafting Table | 120 |
| Oak Rod | 1 Oak Log, 1 Wool Thread, 1 Bronze Bar | Blacksmith's Bench | 180 |
| Willow Rod | 1 Willow Log, 1 Fine Thread, 1 Steel Bar | Blacksmith's Bench | 220 |
Maple and Yew rods are also available later. Level 3 opens rod crafting, but individual recipes still need to be unlocked. Bobs' fishing walkthrough explains that players who already have a better rod recipe available can use it when they reach level 3; Fextralife separately notes that later recipes have their own unlock requirements.
If you are starting fresh, the Ash Rod gives you a clear first target: a Crafting Table, one log, and one thread.
Choose bait and land your first fish
Rod fishing spots are the larger rippling circles farther from shore. Equip your rod and chosen bait, then aim your cast into the circle. Bobs' walkthrough explains that holding the casting action longer sends the line farther, so adjust the hold time to reach the spot.
Choose bait for the fish you want. The Dragonwilds Wiki's Fishing page lists the following fish and bait pairings; Fextralife's equipment page gives the corresponding recipes.
| Target fish | Bait | Ingredients at a Crafting Table |
|---|---|---|
| Sardine | Shrimp Bait | 1 Raw Shrimp |
| Trout | Feather Bait | 1 Feather |
| Herring | Anchovy Bait | 1 Raw Anchovies |
| Salmon | Feathered Lure | 1 Feather, 1 Dwellberries |
Each recipe above produces one bait. For your first outing, sardines are a convenient target because you already collected shrimp while unlocking the rod.
Once a fish bites, manage the fight in phases:
- Pull against its movement. Move the line in the opposite direction from the swimming fish.
- Watch both stamina bars. In Bobs' walkthrough, a blue fish stamina bar indicates favorable pulling; red signals that you should adjust direction.
- Reel when prompted. Hold the reel button during the reeling opportunity.
- Return to pulling when the fish fights again. Repeat until its stamina is depleted. If your stamina runs out first, it escapes.
The guides disagree on reeling timing: BisectHosting's launch guide describes keeping the reel button held, while Bobs' walkthrough separates pulling from prompted reeling windows. Follow the on-screen reel prompt and release the button when the fish resumes fighting. This gives you a clear cue for when to reel during your first catches.
