For players who are just getting their feet wet with Stardew Valley's fishing system, using bait and even tackle can seem a little bit confusing at first. There are so many items, and it's not always clear what goes where or what they actually do for you when you're out there casting your line. You might have some bait in your backpack and just wonder what to do with it, which is completely fair.

This guide is here to help you get past that initial confusion. We'll walk you through, step by simple step, how to use bait with your fishing rod in Stardew Valley. Whether you're playing on your computer, a PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, or even on your iPhone or Android device, the process is pretty much the same. So, let's get you set up for some much quicker and more fruitful fishing trips!

• Vince Joes Shelby

Table of Contents

• How Bait Helps Your Fishing Adventures
• What You Need Before Using Bait
  • Getting the Right Fishing Rod
  • Finding Your Bait
• Putting Bait on Your Fishing Rod
  • The Simple Steps for All Platforms
  • A Quick Look at Bait and Tackle
• Why Bait Makes a Difference
• Getting Started with Bait in Stardew Valley Today

How Bait Helps Your Fishing Adventures

Fishing in Stardew Valley is a charming way to earn some money, gather resources, and, you know, just relax by the water. You start out with a basic bamboo fishing rod, and that's great for learning the ropes and getting a feel for the fishing mini-game. However, if you want to really speed things up and catch more fish in a shorter amount of time, bait is your very best friend. It’s a pretty simple item, but its effect is quite noticeable.

What bait does, essentially, is make fish bite at your line much, much faster. Imagine waiting for a few seconds versus waiting for what feels like a minute or two for a fish to show interest. That's the kind of time saving we're talking about here. So, if you're looking to fill up your fishing inventory or complete those tricky fishing quests with more ease, using bait is a very smart move, in a way.

You might be wondering if your fishing rod absolutely needs bait to catch anything at all. The answer is no, not really. You can still catch fish without any bait attached to your line, which is good to know. But, as we've said, the fish will come to your hook with a lot more speed when bait is present. This means less waiting around and more actual fishing action, which is what we want, right?

• Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

It’s almost like you’re putting out a special dinner invitation for the fish. They see the bait, and they just can't help but come over to check it out. This really helps when you have a limited amount of time in your Stardew Valley day, and you want to make the most of every moment by the water. It’s a small addition that makes a big impact, to be honest.

What You Need Before Using Bait

Before you can start using bait to catch fish at a quicker pace, there are a couple of things you need to have in your possession. These items are pretty important, and you won't be able to attach bait without them. So, let's go over what you need to gather up before your next big fishing trip, because, you know, preparation helps a lot.

Getting the Right Fishing Rod

This is a really key point, as a matter of fact. Not all fishing rods in Stardew Valley can actually use bait. The bamboo fishing rod, which is the one you get at the very beginning of your farming life, is fantastic for learning how to master the fishing mini-game. It’s your starting point, and that’s perfectly fine. However, it cannot, sadly, have bait attached to it. It just doesn't have the right kind of setup for it, you know?

To use bait, you need a more advanced kind of rod. The only rods in the game that are able to use bait are the fiberglass rod, the iridium rod, and the advanced iridium rod. These are the ones that have the necessary features to hold bait. You'll usually get these as you progress in your fishing skill and visit Willy's Fish Shop, which is a great place for all your fishing needs, naturally.

So, your first step, if you haven't already, is to get yourself one of these better rods. The fiberglass rod is typically the first upgrade you'll come across that allows for bait. Once you have that, you're pretty much ready for the next part of this process. It's a very simple upgrade that opens up new possibilities, you see.

Finding Your Bait

Once you have a rod that can actually hold bait, your next step is to, well, get some bait! There are a handful of types of bait in Stardew Valley, and you can get them in a variety of different ways, which is pretty convenient. Some types of bait are bought directly from Willy's shop down by the docks, which is often the easiest way to start.

Other kinds of bait can be crafted by you, once you learn the right recipes. This is a great option for later in the game when you have more resources and want to be a bit more self-sufficient. So, you might find yourself gathering materials to make your own supply, which is a pretty satisfying thing to do, too, it's almost.

No matter how you get it, having a good supply of bait is a good idea. You'll use one piece of bait each time a fish bites, so having a stack of it means you won't have to stop your fishing session too often to resupply. It’s a small detail, but it makes your fishing trips flow a lot better, honestly.

Putting Bait on Your Fishing Rod

Now that you have the right rod and some bait in your inventory, it's time for the actual process of attaching it. This is where many new players sometimes get a little stuck, but it’s actually incredibly simple once you know how. You'll be surprised at how easy it is, really.

The Simple Steps for All Platforms

Attaching bait to your fishing rod in Stardew Valley requires just a couple of things from you, and the steps are consistent across all platforms, whether you're on a computer, a PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, iPhone, or Android. This means once you learn it here, you'll know it everywhere, which is great, right?

Here's a quick summary of how it's done:

1. Open your inventory: This is the first step, obviously. You need to get to the screen where you can see all your items. On most platforms, this is done by pressing a specific button or key that brings up your backpack and tools. You know, like your standard inventory screen.

2. Pick up the bait: Once your inventory is open, locate the bait you want to use. Then, with your cursor or selection tool, pick up the bait. This usually means clicking on it or pressing the 'A' button on a controller to select it. You'll see it hovering with your cursor, ready to be placed somewhere, essentially.

3. Hover over your fishing rod: With the bait selected, move your cursor or selection box over to your fiberglass rod, iridium rod, or advanced iridium rod. Make sure it's one of the rods that can actually use bait, as we discussed earlier. You'll see the outline of the rod light up or change slightly, indicating you're hovering over it, which is pretty helpful.

4. Attach the bait: This is the final step. While hovering over the compatible fishing rod, click or press the action button again. The bait will then attach itself to the rod. You'll see the bait icon appear on the rod's picture in your inventory, confirming it's now ready for use. It’s that simple, actually.

It's honestly a very quick process, just a couple of clicks or button presses. Once you do it a few times, it becomes second nature. You'll be attaching bait without even thinking about it, which is the goal, you know?

A Quick Look at Bait and Tackle

While we're talking about bait, it's a good moment to briefly mention tackle, because they sometimes get confused. Bait, as we've covered, helps fish bite faster. Tackle, on the other hand, is a different kind of item that also attaches to your fishing rod (specifically the iridium and advanced iridium rods, typically).

Tackle helps with the fishing mini-game itself. For instance, some tackle makes the fish easier to keep on the line, while others might help you catch specific types of fish. So, bait gets the fish to your line quickly, and tackle helps you actually catch them once they're there. They work together to really improve your fishing experience, in a way.

Just like bait, tackle is obtained in various ways, some bought from Willy's shop, and some crafted. You can only have one piece of tackle attached at a time, and it has durability, meaning it wears out after a certain amount of use. Bait, however, is consumed one piece per bite, so it's a bit different, as a matter of fact.

Why Bait Makes a Difference

So, why go through the trouble of getting the right rod and attaching bait? Well, the main reason is efficiency. Stardew Valley days are short, and you want to make the most of every moment. Using bait means you spend less time waiting and more time actively reeling in fish, which is a very good thing.

This increased speed in getting bites means you can catch more fish in a single fishing session. More fish means more items for cooking, more gifts for villagers, or, quite simply, more money when you sell them. It really helps to boost your daily earnings and progress in the game at a quicker pace, you know?

For those times when you're trying to catch a specific fish that only appears during certain seasons or times of day, bait becomes even more valuable. You don't want to waste precious in-game hours waiting for a bite when you could be getting them almost immediately. It gives you a real edge, actually.

It also makes the fishing process feel more rewarding. Instead of long stretches of inactivity, you get more consistent action, which keeps things exciting. It's a small change, but it makes a big difference to the overall feel of fishing in the game, honestly.

Getting Started with Bait in Stardew Valley Today

Hopefully, this guide has made it much clearer how to use bait in Stardew Valley. It's a straightforward process once you understand which rods accept bait and how to open your inventory to attach it. The bamboo fishing rod that you start out with is great for learning how to master the fishing mini-game, but remember, for bait, you need an upgrade, so.

So, if you've been wondering how to attach bait to your fishing rod in Stardew Valley, this guide is here to help you so you can improve your fishing day. It's a very easy to follow tutorial for PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox, and mobile Stardew players, which is pretty handy. You can purchase bait at Willy’s Fish Shop or craft it yourself, giving you options, which is nice.

There are a number of different types of bait you can use with your fishing rod in Stardew Valley, which can help attract fish more quickly to increase your chances of landing that big catch. Just open your inventory and pick up the bait with the designated action, then place it on your compatible rod. It's that simple, you know?

We hope this helps you catch more fish and have even more fun in Stardew Valley! You can learn more about fishing tools on our site, and if you're looking to refine your technique, check out this page on Mastering the Fishing Mini-Game. Happy fishing, everyone!

This information is current as of November 27, 2023. For more general information about Stardew Valley, you can always visit the Stardew Valley Wiki.

People Also Ask

Q: Why can't I put bait on my fishing rod in Stardew Valley?

A: If you can't put bait on your rod, it's probably because you're using the basic bamboo fishing rod. That rod doesn't accept bait. You need to upgrade to a fiberglass rod, an iridium rod, or an advanced iridium rod to use bait, which is pretty common for new players to miss, you know.

Q: Does bait make a big difference in Stardew Valley fishing?

A: Yes, it really does make a significant difference. Bait makes fish bite at your line much faster than they would without it. This means you spend less time waiting and more time actually catching fish, which helps a lot with efficiency, honestly.

Q: Where do I get bait in Stardew Valley?

A: You can purchase bait from Willy's Fish Shop down by the beach. Additionally, you can craft certain types of bait yourself once you learn the necessary crafting recipes. It's pretty easy to get a good supply, so.