Fishing is a mini-game in Persona 4 Golden with numerous benefits. Unfortunately, you can’t go out and buy a fishing rod. Before you can fish, you will need to complete a side quest or two.
Getting a Fishing Rod
To obtain a Fishing Rod, you must get a Tatsuhime Ladybug from the Bug-catching Boy at the Tatsuhime Shrine in the Shopping District. He will ask for a specific soda. Buy one from a vending machine in the Shopping District, some are located at the north end by Konishi Liquors and some are located at the south end near Shiroku Store.
Once you have acquired a Ladybug, go to Shiroku Store at night when it becomes Shiroku Pub. Talk to the Hostess and learn about her Eel not eating Bread Crumbs. Give the Eel your Tatsuhime Ladybug to receive a Fish Hook. Take this Fish Hook to the old man at the Riverbank of the Samegawa Floodplain to obtain a Fishing Rod!
Catching Bugs
More bugs can be traded with the Bug-catching Boy at the Tatsuhime Shrine in the Shopping District until June. The Boy will then tell you that his Bug Catching Net has gone missing. Return to the Shrine at night if your Courage is high enough and speak with the Lady in White. She will ask you if you know about the Net on the roof. Say yes to receive the net. Return to the Bug-catching Boy the next day to return the net, and he will tell you that he doesn’t need it anymore. The Bug Catching Net is now yours!
Examine the area under the shaded trees during day time while it’s not raining to play a short bug catching mini-game. Wait until a “!” pops above the character’s head before pressing X. As a reward for swinging perfectly, not only do you get the Bug Hunter trophy, but you’ll get an extra 2 bugs. Reading the books ‘Catching Bugs’ and ‘World Class Bugs’ will allow you to catch more and rarer species of bugs.
Once Inaba has been covered in snow during the Winter Event, you won’t be able to catch bugs at the Shrine any more. However, you’ll be able to harvest frozen bugs that have burrowed into your garden. To harvest these bugs, use the Gardening Tools at the Dojima Residence. Since you won’t be able to garden during the snowy period, this is a nice trade-off.
| Bait | Description |
|---|---|
| Bread Crumbs | When used as bait at the river, can attract Red Goldfish or Genji Ayu. Obtained from the Shiroku Pub in the Central Shopping District at night. Give the woman a which ever bug she asks for. Once a day only. |
| Tatsuhime Ladybug | When used as bait at the river, can attract Genji Ayu or Amber Seema. |
| Yaso Locust | When used as bait at the river, can attract Amber Seema or Inaba Trout. |
| Meiou Cricket | When used as bait at the river, can attract Inaba Trout or Huge Fish. |
| Inaba Jewel Beetle | When used as bait at the river, can attract Huge Fish or Samegawa River Guardian. |
| Daimyo Grasshopper | When used as bait at the sea, can attract Hachiro Octopus. |
| Heike Stag Beetle | When used as bait at the sea, can attract Hachiro Octopus or Meguro Tuna. |
| Genji Beetle | When used as bait at the sea, can attract Meguro Tuna or Sea Guardian. |
How To Fish
With the right bait, head to the Samegawa Flood Plain Riverbank to fish. Choose one piece of bait and wait for your bobble to go under water. When it’s under water, a short mini-game will play out. Use the left analog stick to keep in the blue section (middle) of a meter. When in the blue section, press the Circle Button to start reeling in.
Reading ‘Beginning Fishing’ will allow you to fish more times before heading home. Reading ‘Expert Fishing’ will allow you to perform a quick reel after reeling a fish in a certain distance.’ Increase your Diligence to fish multiple times before going back home.
Fish can be used as items, fed to cats around town, used as parts of quests, or traded with a woman at the Shrine at night for a Gem.
| Fish | Description | Gem |
|---|---|---|
| Red Goldfish | Restores 10 SP to an ally | Kingyou Stone |
| Genji Ayu | Restores 25 HP to an ally | Gyosen Stone |
| Amber Seema | Restores 50 HP to an ally | Yazu Stone |
| Inaba Trout | Restores 100 HP to an ally | Masuda Stone |
| Huge Fish | Restores all of one ally’s HP | Taisui Stone |
| Hachiro Octopus | Restores 10 SP to an ally | Takou Stone |
| Meguro Tuna | Restores all of one ally’s HP | Merguro Stone |
| Guardian | Restores all of one ally’s SP | Mondo Stone |
| Sea Guardian | Restores all of one ally’s SP | Kaiou Stone |
Finding Shichiri Beach
In order to reach Shichiri Beach, you’ll need to have unlocked Okina City by taking three rides around town with your Scooter at the Dojima Residence. This will take three days to complete. Next, choose to “take a long ride” three different days to find Shichiri Beach. Before long rides can be taken on the Scooter, you might need to increase your Courage.
River Guardian and the Deep Sea Rod
Once you’ve unlocked Shichiri Beach, choose the “Fish” option. You will find that your rod will not work in the sea. Go back to the Old Man at the Riverbank and he’ll challenge you to catch the Samegawa Guardian.
To catch this fish, you’ll need the Inaba Jewel Beetle as bait, which you can catch at the Tatsuhime Shrine or in your garden during winter. They are very rare, but your chances will increase after reading the “Catching Bugs” book.
With the proper bait, you will be able to catch the Samegawa Guardian. You can only catch this fish when it’s raining or snowing! You’ll know it’s the Guardian when your bobble in the water starts rippling and splashing. If there is no splashing, reel your line in and re-cast with the Inaba Jewel Beetle. You will not waste a turn nor a bug.
Once you’ve caught the River Guardian, go to the Old Man at the Riverbank and show him the fish to obtain the Deep Sea Rod!
Catching the Sea Guardian
To catch the Sea Guardian itself, you’ll need to have the Genji Beetle. You can purchase 2 of these beetles from Tanaka’s Amazing Commodities on August 22nd (8/22), or catch them after reading the “World Class Bugs” book.
It doesn’t have to be raining or snowing in order to catch the Sea Guardian at Shichiri Beach, but if it is then you have a better chance at hooking the Guardian. Just like before, you’ll know it’s the Guardian when your bobble in the water starts rippling and splashing. If there is no splashing, reel your line in and re-cast with the Genji Beetle. You will not waste a turn nor a bug.
You might want to save the fish rather than sell it so you can complete a Quest that maxes out the Hermit Social Link.