Fishing Planet LLC launched this free-to-play fishing simulator on 11 August 2015 and it now covers 27 waterways modelled on real fisheries from Texas to Missouri to Oregon. Every catch runs through a physics model where line strength, hook size, drag setting and rod action all decide whether a fish lands or snaps you off. Progression is levels and credits, with BaitCoins sold separately for players who want to skip the grind.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light spinning rod with a 1000 size reel | S | Lone Star Lake panfish and early levelling | The cheapest workable setup in the game and the one every account starts near. |
| Baitcasting rod with a low profile reel | A | Peacock Bass and Largemouth in the Everglades | Casting accuracy and cranking power for heavier lures. |
| Telescopic float rod and bobber | A | Panfish, Crappie and finicky Trout | Bait presented under a bobber at a set depth. |
| Feeder rod on a bottom rig | B | Channel and Blue Catfish in river holes | A stiff rod, a weight and a bait sitting still on the bottom, usually with a bite alarm. |
| Heavy carp rod with a hair rig | B | Carp waters and any session where the target outweighs your tackle | Long rod, big pit reel, boilies on a hair rig off the hook shank. |
S-Tier: Light spinning rod with a 1000 size reel
The cheapest workable setup in the game and the one every account starts near. Low test range keeps it honest, so it excels on panfish and small Bass and breaks on anything heavy.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Lone Star Lake panfish and early levelling |
| Key Mechanic | Float, spin and bottom methods |
| Recommended Build | Float fishing |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Light spinning rod with a 1000 size reel: Pairs naturally with Float fishing thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Baitcasting rod with a low profile reel
Casting accuracy and cranking power for heavier lures. Punishes sloppy thumb control but throws crankbaits and poppers far further than spinning gear of the same rating.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Peacock Bass and Largemouth in the Everglades |
| Key Mechanic | Balanced tackle requirements |
| Recommended Build | Spin fishing |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Baitcasting rod with a low profile reel: Pairs naturally with Spin fishing thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Telescopic float rod and bobber
Bait presented under a bobber at a set depth. Slow, cheap and remarkably effective on species that refuse to chase a lure at all.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Panfish, Crappie and finicky Trout |
| Key Mechanic | Drag control during the fight |
| Recommended Build | Bottom fishing |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Telescopic float rod and bobber: Pairs naturally with Bottom fishing thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Feeder rod on a bottom rig
A stiff rod, a weight and a bait sitting still on the bottom, usually with a bite alarm. This is the whole Catfish game and much of the Carp game.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Channel and Blue Catfish in river holes |
| Key Mechanic | Time of day and weather cycles |
| Recommended Build | Carp fishing |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Feeder rod on a bottom rig: Pairs naturally with Carp fishing thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Heavy carp rod with a hair rig
Long rod, big pit reel, boilies on a hair rig off the hook shank. Built for long fights against fish that will run 40 metres before you gain a metre back.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Carp waters and any session where the target outweighs your tackle |
| Key Mechanic | Credits, BaitCoins and travel costs |
| Recommended Build | Trolling |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Heavy carp rod with a hair rig: Pairs naturally with Trolling thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Lone Star Lake, Texas
- Baitcasting rod with a low profile reel → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Telescopic float rod and bobber → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Light spinning rod with a 1000 size reel → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying. One strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Match every component of the rig to the weakest link on purpose. Set line test below rod test so a snag breaks the line rather than the rod, and keep the leader slightly weaker than the main line so you lose 30 cm instead of the whole spool.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Fishing Planet Guides
- Fishing Planet Fishing Planet Overview
- Fishing Planet Best Builds
- Fishing Planet Tier List
- Fishing Planet Walkthrough
- Fishing Planet Beginner's Guide
- Fishing Planet Tips & Tricks
- Fishing Planet Combat Guide
- Fishing Planet Boss Guide
- Fishing Planet Maps & Locations
- Fishing Planet Crafting Guide
- Fishing Planet Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Fishing Planet, check out these related guides:
- Stardew Valley Weapons Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
- Satisfactory Weapons Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
- The Sims 4 Weapons Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
