Rod & Boat Upgrades Guide

How Upgrading Actually Works (Official Loop)

Dazed Games' own store description frames the progression loop plainly: you "start off with no gear or weapons," then "earn money to buy better gear and weapons and stuff," and you "complete quests and fight bosses to progress to new islands, where there are more dangerous creatures and better gear." In other words, upgrades are bought with earned cash at island vendors and unlocked by beating bosses — there is no separate crafting or upgrade-tree currency.

Every Rod Upgrade

In the How to Fish game, your rod is your primary tool for income. While you start with a standard rod, there are several upgrades and cosmetic variants you can unlock:

Fishing Rod ($3): The standard starter rod sold by the Island 1 vendor.
Crab Fishing Rod ($3): A second basic rod option available from the same vendor.
Rod resale value: The basic Fishing Rod sells back to a vendor for its $3 purchase price. Rods are tools, not grill-able items — cooking is reserved for fish, bait, and other sellable food, and overcooking any item to a charred state destroys its value entirely.

Boat Engine Upgrades

Escaping seagulls and outmaneuvering bosses like the pufferfish boss requires speed. Your starting boat engine is agonizingly slow.

Basic Engine: $0. Very slow, vulnerable to bird attacks.
Upgraded Engines: Purchased from the shop crates. They drastically increase your top speed and acceleration. (Note: Exact prices fluctuate, but prioritize saving at least $50-$100 before committing to an engine).

Best Upgrade Order

If you want to survive the aggressive wildlife, follow this optimized purchase order:

Basic SMG / Pistol: You need defense immediately before Island 2.
Boat Engine Upgrade: Speed is life when the Terrorizing Bird attacks.
Casino Skins: Save the casino for the end-game when you have disposable income - treat it as entertainment.

How to Make Money Fast for Upgrades

To afford these upgrades, you need cash. Catching and selling standard fish is reliable, but the fastest income comes from catching "Drip" variants (like the Drippy Urchin) which sell for a premium. If you are feeling lucky, you can take your earnings to the casino and bet on Black or Red. If you are completely broke, cook a fresh catch to the golden-brown sweet spot for the up-to-1.5x sell boost.

Boat Skins & Visual Customization

In addition to performance engine upgrades, players can unlock custom boat cosmetics and skins:

Classic Wooden Dinghy: Default starter skin.
Neon / Drip Hull Skin: Unlocked as a rare reward at the Fish Casino roulette stations.
Speed Demon Boat: Automatically applies when you reach max Engine Tier 3 and unlock the "I am speed" Steam achievement.

FAQ

Which rods can I buy?
The Fishing Rod ($3) and Crab Fishing Rod ($3) are sold by the Island 1 vendor. Rods are tools, not grill-able items; the cooking value boost applies to fish and food.

Does cooking the fishing rod actually do anything?
No - rods are tools, not grill-able items. Cooking value boosts apply to fish, bait, and other sellable food; charring any item black destroys its value entirely.