How to Get a Fishing Rod in Persona 4 Golden

How to Get a Fishing Rod in Persona 4 Golden

As a seasoned fisherman and Persona 4 Golden enthusiast, I can’t help but share my wisdom on catching those elusive aquatic creatures roaming the rivers of Inaba. Now, let me tell you about my own adventure!


In the game Persona 4 Golden, some players might overlook the mini-game of fishing during their initial playthrough. Unlike Persona 5/Royal, this game has several missions that necessitate fishing, but you’ll find out that you need to acquire a fishing rod first. Unfortunately, you can’t buy this at Daidara Metalworks. Acquiring the fishing rod could take a few days in the game, so it’s advisable to start the sidequest right away if you don’t want to miss out.

How to Get the River Fishing Rod

When Does It Unlock?

How to Get a Fishing Rod in Persona 4 Golden

You can start the fishing rod sidequest as early as 4/18:

  1. Go to the Shrine in the Shopping District, North and speak to the boy standing near the stone lanterns. He’ll want something to drink from the vending machine, so return to the North Shopping District and head towards Konishi Liquor Store. This is right at the top of the street in the North Shopping District, and next to the store is a vending machine. A single drink costs 120 yen.
  2. With the right drink, return to the Shrine and speak to the boy again. He’ll give Tatsuhime Ladybugs as thanks.

If you can, it’s a good idea to fill up on drinks from the vending machines as they replenish 5SP. These could be useful for your first adventure through the dungeon.

The second part of this quest won’t be accessible unless you have a Gem item:

  1. Gems can be obtained by battling the Shadows in Yukiko’s Castle in Persona 4 Golden. The Bronze Dice Shadows on floors 4-7 drop Gems.
  2. With the Gem, go to the Shiroku Store during the evening, which is now called Shiroku Pub (only at night). Speak to Old Lady Shiroku, and she’ll tell you to leave… unless he has the Gem. She’ll take the Gem and this will give you the options Item Exchange or Talk. Select Talk.
  3. If you have Tatsuhime Ladybugs, you can feed Old Lady Shiroku’s fish, Akihiko. Doing so grants you the Fish Hook key item.
  4. The next day, during the afternoon, head towards the Riverbank in the Samegawa Flood Plain. Speak to the Old Man by the river, and he’ll give the Protagonist the River Rod.

How to Fish

To catch fish, you’ll need some sort of lure. Scarcer lures like Inaba Jewel Beetles and Genji Beetles attract larger fish, while smaller fish can be caught with more common bait such as Breadcrumbs or Tatsuhime Ladybugs. Visit the Riverbank or Shichiri Beach and press Space/X to begin fishing. It’s suggested to read the upcoming Beginner Fishing Guide (releasing 4/20) and the Expert Fishing Guide (available 6/28) for a smoother fishing experience. Remember, success in fishing relies on having patience, and maintaining more Diligence means the Protagonist will fish for longer periods of time.

  1. After selecting bait, press the Space bar when the bobber is pulled underwater.
  2. Then, use the left/right arrow keys (or A/D) to move the cursor along the bar.
  3. Hold down the Space bar when the cursor is in the blue. If the Space Bar is held down in the orange or red, then it’ll cause the fish to swim further away and lessen the chances of landing it.

How to Catch the Samegawa River Guardian

How to Get the Angler’s Set

How to Get a Fishing Rod in Persona 4 Golden

The Angler’s Set is a key item that’s required for catching the Guardian of the Samegawa River. You will need to start “Quest 60: Acquire Samegawa’s Guardian.” Ask the Old Man about the Guardian and the type of bait in order to unlock the Inaba Jewel Beetles. These can then be caught with the Bug Net at the beginning of August. You can only catch the Samegawa Guardian during rainy weather. The River Guardian can only be hooked with Inaba Jewel Beetles. If you’re in the late-game phase, you can catch the Guardian on any day in December or when it’s snowing.

How to Catch the Shichiri Beach Guardian

How to Get Deep-Sea Rod

How to Get a Fishing Rod in Persona 4 Golden

After making three trips to Shichiri Beach on your scooter, you can begin fishing there. However, upon trying to fish, you’re informed that a stronger fishing rod is necessary. To obtain this powerful fishing rod, you need to finish Quest 60: Acquire Samegawa’s Guardian. Once you’ve captured the Guardian, present it to the Old Man, and he will reward you with the Deep-Sea Rod.

Among various tasks involving fishing, the one that stands out most is the Quest 15: The Guardian of Shichiri Beach. This is the final step in completing the Fox’s Social Link. To catch the Guardian of the Beach, you will need the bait known as Genji Beetle. You can find these beetles at the Shrine during nighttime, or alternatively, you can place an order for them from Tanaka’s Amazing Commodities on the 22nd of August.

It’s strongly advised to go through the “Expert Fishing” guide before you try to capture the Sea Guardian. The Fast Reel technique is crucial for finishing this quest, and without it, it would be extremely challenging, if not impossible.

1. Head to Shichiri Beach during a rain shower, just like the River Protector, you’ll recognize that you’ve snared the Ocean Protector when a big splash emerges around your float. After capturing it, have one final chat with the Old Man before moving on. Then visit the Fox to reach the peak of the Social Link. This will enable you to blend Ongyo-Ki in the Sanctum Room.

Every Fish in Persona 4 Golden

And How to Get Them

How to Get a Fishing Rod in Persona 4 Golden

In the video game ‘Persona 4 Golden’, a total of six different fish species can be found. However, it is not until August that all these fish will become catchable. Additionally, remember to regularly catch bugs as well, as certain fish can only be reeled in using specific bait types. The fish can be consumed to replenish health, but it’s wiser to save them for side-quests, as there are numerous tasks that demand fish deliveries.

Fish Type of Bait Location Weather Conditions
Red Goldfish
  • Bread Crumbs
Samegawa River Bank Any Weather
Inaba Trout
  • Meiou Cricket
  • Yaso Locust
Samegawa River Bank Any Weather
Genji Ayu
  • Bread Crumbs
  • Tatsuhime Ladybug
Samegawa River Bank Any Weather
Amber Seema
  • Tatsuhime Ladybug
  • Yaso Locust
Samegawa River Bank Any Weather
Huge Fish
  • Inaba Jewel Beetle
  • Meiou Cricket
Samegawa River Bank Cloudy or Rainy
River Guardian
  • Inaba Jewel Beetle
Samegawa River Bank Raining or Snowing
Hachiro Octopus
  • Daimyo Grasshopper
  • Heike Stag Beetle
Shichiri Beach Any Weather
Meguro Tuna
  • Heike Stag Beetle
  • Genji Beetle
Shichiri Beach Any Weather
Shichiri Beach Guardian
  • Genji Beetle
Shichiri Beach Raining or Snowing

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2024-08-31 04:24