Welcome, fellow Ironmen, to the ultimate resource for conquering the seas and rivers of Gielinor! This guide is your compass, charting the optimal course for training Fishing on your Ironman or Group Ironman account. Prepare to embark on a journey from novice angler to master fisherman, unlocking essential resources and experience along the way.
Ironman mode in Old School RuneScape presents a unique and challenging experience, demanding self-sufficiency in all aspects of the game. Fishing, as a skill, takes on a crucial role, providing a vital source of food, supplies, and even training experience. Unlike standard accounts, Ironmen cannot rely on the Grand Exchange for resources, making Fishing a primary method for obtaining sustenance and certain skilling materials.
This guide specifically caters to Ironmen, outlining the most efficient and effective strategies for leveling the Fishing skill. We will explore various fishing methods, from the humble shrimp to the mighty shark, while considering factors such as experience rates, accessibility, and resource requirements. Whether you’re a seasoned Ironman veteran or a fresh-faced adventurer, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and techniques needed to thrive in the world of OSRS Fishing.
Furthermore, we’ll delve into alternative training methods like Tempoross, analyzing their pros and cons in the context of Ironman gameplay. This comprehensive guide aims to empower you to make informed decisions and optimize your Fishing journey, ultimately enhancing your Ironman experience.
Why Train Fishing on Ironman?
For Ironmen, Fishing transcends being just another skill; it becomes a fundamental pillar of self-reliance. The primary reason to train Fishing is to secure a consistent and reliable food source. Unlike regular accounts that can purchase food from the Grand Exchange, Ironmen must acquire their own sustenance through skilling or combat. Fishing offers a safe and accessible way to obtain essential food items, crucial for sustaining your character during training and bossing activities. Sharks, swordfish, and lobsters become invaluable assets, providing necessary healing during challenging encounters.
Beyond food, Fishing provides access to valuable resources. Certain fish, like karambwans, are highly sought after for their healing properties and efficiency in combat. Furthermore, training Fishing can unlock access to specific areas and quests that offer unique rewards and benefits for Ironmen. The skill also synergizes well with other skills, such as Cooking, allowing Ironmen to process their catches into more potent and beneficial food items.
Ultimately, training Fishing on an Ironman account fosters a sense of accomplishment and self-sufficiency, embodying the core principles of the game mode. It’s a vital skill that empowers you to overcome challenges and progress through the game on your own terms.
Early Fishing Levels (1-20)
The journey to becoming a master fisherman begins with humble beginnings. For Ironmen, the early Fishing levels (1-20) are all about establishing a foundation and securing a basic food supply. During this stage, the focus should be on efficient experience gain and acquiring enough food to sustain your early training endeavors.
The most common and readily available method for these levels is fishing shrimp and anchovies. These fish can be caught in various locations, including Lumbridge, Draynor Village, and Karamja. While the experience rates might seem slow initially, they provide a steady progression towards level 20. It’s crucial to prioritize locations near banks or cooking facilities to streamline the process of banking or cooking your catches.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a slightly different approach, you can explore fly fishing for trout and salmon in the early levels. This method requires a fly fishing rod and feathers, which can be purchased from fishing shops. Although it might be slightly more click-intensive, it offers a change of pace and introduces you to a different fishing mechanic. Remember to cook your catches to maximize their healing potential and minimize the risk of wasting resources.
Shrimp and Anchovies
Shrimp and anchovies represent the quintessential starting point for any aspiring Ironman fisherman. These low-level catches are readily accessible and require minimal investment, making them ideal for players just beginning their self-sufficient journey.
The primary benefit of targeting shrimp and anchovies lies in their abundance and ease of access. Locations like Lumbridge and Draynor Village offer convenient fishing spots, often located near banks or cooking facilities. This proximity allows for efficient banking or cooking, essential for managing your inventory and maximizing your resources as an Ironman.
While the experience rates for shrimp and anchovies may not be the fastest, they provide a consistent and reliable source of early-game experience. Focus on maintaining a steady pace and minimizing downtime. Consider utilizing a full inventory before banking or cooking to optimize your training efficiency. Remember, every little bit counts when you’re striving for self-sufficiency!
Furthermore, shrimp and anchovies offer a valuable food source for early-level combat or skilling activities. Cooking these catches provides a readily available healing option, reducing your reliance on external supplies. Embrace the simplicity of shrimp and anchovies as you embark on your Ironman fishing adventure.
Mid-Level Fishing (20-50)
As you progress beyond the initial stages of your Ironman fishing journey, the mid-levels (20-50) offer exciting new opportunities and challenges. This phase introduces more efficient training methods and valuable resources, essential for sustaining your self-sufficient lifestyle.
During this period, you’ll transition from the basic catches of shrimp and anchovies to more rewarding fish such as trout, salmon, and even engage in specialized techniques like Barbarian Fishing. These methods provide significantly improved experience rates and introduce new utility for your catches.
Consider the specific needs of your Ironman account when selecting a training method. If you require a reliable food source for combat or other activities, trout and salmon offer a balance of experience and sustenance. Alternatively, Barbarian Fishing provides excellent experience rates and strengthens your Agility and Strength skills simultaneously.
Experiment with different fishing locations and techniques to discover what suits your playstyle and resource requirements best. The mid-levels represent a crucial stage in developing your fishing prowess, laying the foundation for the advanced methods and valuable catches that await you in the later stages of your Ironman journey. Embrace the challenges, and reap the rewards of your dedication.
Trout and Salmon (Fly Fishing)
Fly fishing for Trout and Salmon becomes available at level 20 Fishing, presenting a significant upgrade in experience per hour compared to earlier methods. This technique requires a fly fishing rod and feathers as bait, readily obtainable from fishing shops or through monster drops.
The primary location for fly fishing is the rivers of Barbarian Village and Shilo Village. Each location offers its advantages; Barbarian Village is easily accessible and close to a bank, while Shilo Village boasts fewer players and a more peaceful atmosphere.
Trout and Salmon serve as valuable food sources for Ironmen, providing decent healing and satisfying hunger needs during various activities. While not the most efficient food in the game, their ease of acquisition and relatively quick fishing rates make them a reliable option for sustaining your character.
To maximize efficiency, focus on maintaining a consistent fishing rate and minimizing downtime. Consider utilizing stamina potions or energy restoration methods to extend your fishing sessions and avoid frequent banking trips. Fly fishing for Trout and Salmon provides a solid foundation for your mid-level fishing training, offering a balance of experience, food, and relative ease.
Barbarian Fishing
At level 30 Fishing, Barbarian Fishing unlocks, offering a unique training method that provides Fishing, Strength, and Agility experience simultaneously. This multi-skill approach makes it a valuable option for Ironmen seeking to progress multiple skills concurrently.
To engage in Barbarian Fishing, you’ll need a Barbarian Rod, obtained during the completion of the Fishing Contest quest. Additionally, you’ll require roe or caviar as bait, acquired from fishing leaping trout and leaping salmon respectively.
The primary location for Barbarian Fishing is Otto’s Grotto, located near Baxtorian Falls. Here, you’ll target leaping trout and leaping salmon, which offer Fishing experience, as well as leaping sturgeon, providing Strength and Agility experience.
Barbarian Fishing is renowned for its click-intensive nature, requiring constant attention to maintain optimal experience rates. However, the combined experience gains across three skills make it a worthwhile endeavor for efficient Ironmen. Moreover, the fish caught can be used as decent food sources or for training cooking. Always keep an eye on your inventory, dropping unnecessary items to maximize your fishing time.
High-Level Fishing (50+)
Reaching level 50 Fishing marks the transition into high-level fishing methods, unlocking access to superior fish and more efficient training locations. This stage is crucial for Ironmen aiming to secure reliable food sources and valuable resources for various skills.
At this level, several options become available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Popular choices include fishing lobsters, swordfish, tuna, and sharks, offering varying levels of experience and profit. Location plays a significant role in the effectiveness of these methods, with the Fishing Guild providing a notable advantage due to its proximity to a bank and increased catch rates.
For Ironmen, the primary focus remains on obtaining a sustainable supply of food. Therefore, prioritizing methods that yield both decent experience and edible fish is essential. Banking fish becomes more viable at this stage, allowing for the accumulation of resources for future training and bossing endeavors. Understanding the nuances of each fishing method is key to maximizing efficiency and achieving long-term goals.
Lobsters
Lobsters become accessible at level 40 Fishing, but are generally considered a more viable training method starting at level 50 due to improved catch rates; Fishing lobsters provides a decent balance between experience and obtaining a valuable food source for Ironman accounts.
The primary location for lobster fishing is Catherby, offering a convenient bank and relatively safe environment. Players can use lobster pots at the fishing spots along the coast. While the experience per hour may not be the highest compared to other methods, the consistent supply of food makes it a worthwhile option, especially for Ironmen who require reliable healing during combat or other skilling activities.
Consider banking lobsters for future use, as they are a commonly used food source for various bosses and slayer tasks. Alternatively, power fishing by dropping the lobsters can be a faster experience-gaining method, but sacrifices the food resource. Weigh the pros and cons based on your immediate needs and long-term goals as an Ironman.
Swordfish and Tuna
At level 50 Fishing, you unlock the ability to catch Swordfish and Tuna, offering a step up in both experience and food value compared to Lobsters. These fish are caught using a harpoon at various fishing spots, with Musa Point and the Fishing Guild being popular choices.
Swordfish and Tuna provide a good source of healing for mid-level Ironman accounts and can be used in a variety of situations. The Fishing Guild, requiring level 68 Fishing (or lower with boosts), offers an advantageous location with a closer bank and fewer interruptions.
Similar to Lobsters, you can choose to bank your catches for later use or powerfish by dropping them to maximize experience per hour. Banking is generally recommended, as Swordfish and Tuna remain useful as a food source for a significant portion of your Ironman journey. Consider using admiral pies to boost your fishing level.
Sharks
Reaching level 76 Fishing allows you to target Sharks, a significant upgrade in healing capabilities for your Ironman. Sharks are caught using a harpoon, primarily at the Fishing Guild, which offers the closest bank and a reduced chance of interruptions from other players.
For Ironmen, Sharks are a valuable food source for challenging content such as bossing and Slayer tasks. The Fishing Guild provides the most efficient location to obtain them, as the proximity to the bank allows for quick trips and minimal downtime.
While powerfishing Sharks is an option, banking them is generally recommended due to their usefulness as a reliable healing item. As an Ironman, consider that using admiral pies to boost your fishing level can be difficult due to the resources required.
Alternative Fishing Methods
Beyond the traditional methods, Old School RuneScape offers alternative fishing experiences that can be beneficial for Ironmen. These methods often provide a mix of experience, resources, and unique rewards. While they may not always be the fastest XP, they can break up the monotony and offer valuable supplies.
One notable alternative is Barbarian Fishing, which trains Strength and Agility alongside Fishing, offering a more well-rounded training approach. Another option is three-tick fishing that offers a high xp rate. These methods provide a change of pace from standard fishing and can be a good way to diversify your training.
Consider exploring these alternatives to supplement your traditional fishing grind, especially if you’re seeking a more engaging or multi-faceted training experience.
Tempoross
Tempoross, the spirit of the sea, offers a unique and engaging alternative to traditional fishing methods in Old School RuneScape. This activity is particularly appealing to Ironmen due to its rewarding mix of Fishing experience, valuable resources, and the potential for unique cosmetic rewards.
As an Ironman, training at Tempoross provides a welcome change of pace from the often-tedious grind of traditional fishing. The activity involves teamwork and strategic gameplay, making it a more interactive and enjoyable experience. Moreover, the rewards from Tempoross can significantly benefit an Ironman account.
Rewards include fish that can be used for food or cooking experience, as well as valuable resources like fish barrels.
Consider incorporating Tempoross into your Ironman fishing training for a combination of experience, resources, and engaging gameplay.
Powerfishing vs. Banking
One of the earliest decisions an Ironman account must make when training Fishing is whether to powerfish or bank their catches. Powerfishing prioritizes experience per hour by dropping fish as soon as they’re caught, thereby maximizing the time spent actively fishing. This approach is ideal for quickly reaching higher Fishing levels. However, it sacrifices the potential for gathering food or resources.
Banking, on the other hand, involves storing the caught fish for later use. This method is more time-consuming but provides a stockpile of food for combat, training, or Cooking. For Ironmen, who rely solely on self-gathered resources, banking can be a valuable strategy for long-term sustainability.
The optimal choice depends on your individual needs and goals. If you need to level your fishing quickly, powerfishing is the way to go, but if you are looking to build up your resources, then banking is better.
Fishing for Food and Supplies
For the resourceful Ironman, Fishing transcends mere skill training; it becomes a vital source of sustenance and supplies. Unlike standard accounts that can readily purchase food, Ironmen must rely on their own gathering and crafting abilities. Fishing provides a consistent and reliable means of acquiring essential food items, crucial for sustaining health during combat, skilling, and questing.
Shrimp and anchovies, caught in the early levels, offer basic healing. As your Fishing level increases, you unlock access to more potent food sources like trout, salmon, lobsters, swordfish, and sharks. These higher-level catches provide significantly more healing, enabling you to tackle tougher challenges and extend your training sessions.
Beyond food, Fishing can also yield valuable supplies. Certain fish, like karambwan, are essential ingredients in advanced cooking recipes. Fishing also provides access to items like seaweed, used in crafting potions. Prioritizing Fishing not only ensures your survival but also unlocks opportunities for further self-sufficiency.
Free-to-Play Fishing Methods for Ironmen
Embarking on your Ironman journey in Old School RuneScape as a free-to-play player presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to training Fishing. While the options are more limited compared to members, efficient and strategic Fishing is still achievable. Mastering the free-to-play Fishing methods is crucial for early-game progression, providing essential food and a foundation for future skills.
The primary Fishing locations for free-to-play Ironmen are Lumbridge and Al Kharid. In Lumbridge, you can catch shrimp and anchovies using a small fishing net, providing a starting source of food. As you progress, Al Kharid offers the opportunity to catch sardine and herring using a fishing rod and bait. These fish provide slightly better healing, allowing you to venture into more dangerous areas.
While powerfishing (dropping the fish) is a common training method, consider banking some catches for early cooking levels. This will provide a reliable source of food for quests and combat, mitigating the reliance on shops or other players. Patience and dedication are key to maximizing your Fishing experience in the free-to-play world.
Tips and Tricks for Ironman Fishing
Maximize your OSRS Ironman fishing gains with these valuable tips and tricks! Firstly, always prioritize obtaining the Fish barrel from Tempoross as soon as you can. This significantly increases your fishing efficiency by allowing you to store more fish, reducing trips to the bank and maximizing your time spent fishing. Utilize fishing potions to temporarily boost your fishing level, unlocking access to higher-level fishing spots earlier and increasing your catch rate.
For Barbarian Fishing, remember that the success rate is influenced by your Strength and Agility levels, not just your Fishing level. Train these skills alongside Fishing for optimal results. When fishing for food, consider locations near a cooking range or fire to immediately cook your catches, saving inventory space and time. Explore alternative fishing methods like fly fishing for trout and salmon, which can be a good option for early to mid-level training.
Finally, always be mindful of your inventory management. Utilize looting bags if available to extend your fishing trips and consider using RuneLite plugins to track your experience per hour and optimize your fishing strategy.
Maximizing XP per Hour
Efficiency is key for Ironman accounts, so maximizing your Fishing XP per hour is crucial. Start by choosing the right fishing method for your level and gear. Powerfishing, where you drop the fish instead of banking them, is generally the fastest way to gain XP, especially in the early to mid-levels. Focus on locations with minimal travel time to maximize your active fishing time. Utilize fishing potions and boosts whenever possible to increase your catch rate and XP gains.
For methods like Barbarian Fishing, train your Strength and Agility levels concurrently to improve your success rate and XP. Consider using tick manipulation techniques, such as 3-tick fishing, to further increase your XP per hour, although this requires precise timing and can be more challenging. At higher levels, focus on fishing locations with fewer players to reduce competition for fishing spots.
Finally, monitor your XP rates using RuneLite plugins and adjust your methods accordingly to ensure you’re always optimizing your XP per hour. Experiment with different techniques and locations to find what works best for your playstyle and account progression.
Endgame Fishing Techniques
Reaching the pinnacle of Fishing on your Ironman unlocks several high-level techniques focused on maximizing experience and resource acquisition. One prominent method is 3-tick Barbarian Fishing, requiring precise timing but offering exceptional XP rates when mastered. Another option is fishing Karambwans, providing decent experience and a valuable food source for challenging content. For those seeking valuable resources, fishing sacred eels in the Myths’ Guild offers a steady supply of Zulrah scales for crafting and recharging Tridents.
Consider exploring alternative methods like fishing at the Corsair Cove Resource Area for a chance at valuable alchable drops alongside decent XP. Endgame fishing often involves a balance between XP gains, resource acquisition, and personal preference. Experiment with different techniques to find the optimal approach for your specific goals and needs.
Ultimately, the “best” endgame fishing method depends on your priorities. Whether you’re aiming for maximum XP, valuable resources, or simply a change of pace, Old School RuneScape offers diverse options to keep your Fishing journey engaging and rewarding.
Congratulations, dedicated Ironman, on navigating the waters of this comprehensive Fishing guide! From humble beginnings catching shrimp to mastering advanced techniques for sharks and beyond, you’ve equipped yourself with the knowledge to thrive as a self-sufficient angler in Gielinor. Remember that Fishing is not just about experience; it’s a vital source of food, supplies, and even income for the resourceful Ironman.
Embrace the journey, adapt to the challenges, and celebrate your progress as you reel in each milestone. Experiment with different methods, find what suits your play style, and don’t be afraid to explore the diverse fishing locations Old School RuneScape has to offer. Whether you’re powerfishing for rapid gains or banking your catches for future needs, your dedication to Fishing will undoubtedly bolster your Ironman’s journey.
So, grab your rod, bait your hook, and set sail for adventure. The seas await, teeming with opportunities for the skilled and persistent Ironman fisherman. Happy fishing!