Reel Fishing III
PlayStation 2, US Release
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Fish Types and Strategies FAQ
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In-depth FAQ
Version 0.80
October 7, 2003
by Shaun Krautwurst (stormgeist)
E-mail:
[email protected]
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* This guide is copyright 2003 Shaun Krautwurst. It was written for, and *
* should only appear on, Gamefaqs.com. No other non-private use will be *
* permitted. All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are *
* owned by their respective trademark and copyright holders. *
***************************************************************************
Version History
0.90 10/17/03: Added "Section 6: Just Who Do You Think You Are", which gives
all my Reel Fishing III stats and records. Added the "rare lures" item to the
Mysteries, Rumors, and Observations section. Removed the disclaimers, and
revised the listings for Boss Fishes 2 and 3(the MC and GKS). And made some
minor "tweaks" on a couple of other things.
0.80 10/11/03: First Draft. All fish are present and accounted for, but I
still need to replay the Bosses to confirm their strategy sections, add a few
things, and put an overall coat of polish on the long-winded and rather
confusing Playing the Fish section. I still feel like there's a lot left to
work on.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
A. NO VIBRATION!!
II. General Strategy
A. Choosing Tackle
B. Casting
C. Setting the Hook
D. Playing the Fish
III. Fish Types and Strategies
(Listed in the order that they appear in the game)
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
Bullhead
Dace
Splake
Yamame Trout
Bitterling
Deepbodied Crucian Carp
Florida Largemouth Bass
Pale Chub
Char
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Black Chinese Roach (Black Carp)
Carp
Cherry Salmon
Grass Carp
Silver Carp
King Salmon
Pink Salmon
Steelhead Trout
*Special Fish* (spoilers)
*Special Fish* (spoilers)
*Special Fish* (spoilers)
*Special Fish* (spoilers)
IV. Credits
V. Mysteries, Rumors, and Observations
VI. Just Who Do You Think You Are!
I. Introduction
****************
Welcome to my FAQ on fish types and strategy for Reel Fishing III.
This FAQ will list each type of fish in the game and give you some strategy
for catching it. And, it will give you some basic fishing tips in general.
I would like to point out that this FAQ is a work-in-progress and should
be regarded as such. Please feel free to e-mail me with any new
information, or any strategies which you feel are better. I will give you
credit for anything I feel is useful enough to include in a future
update.
A. NO VIBRATION!!
------------------
One thing I should mention here is that a number of people with the US
version (myself included) cannot get vibration with the standard Sony
DualShock 2 controller (whether the in-game option is turned on or off). If
you are one of these poor unfortunates, then you have found that some species,
especially the various kinds of Carp, are extremely hard to set the hook on.
You need no longer worry about this. The solution to your Carp-catching
dilemma is right below in the General Strategy section (see "Without
Vibration"). While I cannot tell you how to get the vibration to work (or why
it won't in the first place), I have discovered an in-game trick not
mentioned in the manual. If, however, you have your heart set on "feeling the
vibes", I have heard that some third-party controllers are working - but, I
cannot confirm this or tell you which ones.
II. General Strategy
*********************
A. Choosing Tackle:
Reel Fishing III has insane amounts of tackle to choose from, but the game
narrows things down quite a bit by only allowing you to use poles that are
useful to the place where you're fishing, and then allowing you to use only
the tackle that is specific to each pole.
The tackle breaks down into 5 basic categories:
1. Poles:
The three BASIC types of pole are bait, lure, and fly.
Most of the time, you'll be fishing with lures, and although many fish can be
caught with any of the three pole types - Bass, for example - I make it a
general rule of thumb not to use bait to catch a fish that can be caught with
a lure or a fly. This is because it's simply more fun to reel and twitch a
lure than it is to stare and wait with bait. Also, setting the hook is less
certain with bait. The only time I use bait is if I have to. Carps, for
instance, can only be caught with bait.
Which brings us to flies. I really don't know much about fly-fishing in real
life, but the ability to false-cast a fly rod, in order to string your line
out, gives you great distance for those hard-to-reach places in the game. And
that's all I really use them for.
2. Floats and Bobbers:
In most situations, your float is a fixed item that goes with a pole and
cannot be changed. This is not always the case. But contrary to what the game
manual says, the floats seem to serve little purpose, so I leave them alone.
The only exception that I have found, is the option to move float position so
you can fish deeper or shallower waters. And even this seems to have only
marginal effect.
3. Lures:
This is where you make your most important tackle decisions and it's nice and
simple. Just use your L2 button to pick the kind of fish you're after, and
then choose from among the lures with the best "Heart and Shield"
combinations. I'll go over these more in some of the individual fish
strategies.
Lures also serve as fun collectables during your game.
4. Flies:
Everything I said about lures also goes for flies.
They are collectable as well.
5. Bait:
Again, I only use it when I have to. But it's there to play around with if you
want something different to do. The strategy for choosing bait is the same
as lures and flies.
Unfortunately, bait types are not a collectable. It would have been nice to
earn more types of bait for the Carps (or at least an upgrade to the amount
you can carry).
B. Casting:
Simple. Aim for the underwater shadow of the fish you want and press the
X button. There's little I can tell you about overall strategy here, except
that better accuracy will come with practice. When you cast, your line will
come down a little to the right of where you were aiming. Distance of the cast
depends on how long you hold the X button. Lures generally cast farther than
baits. And with a fly rod you can hold the X button down longer to perform
"false casts" and achieve greater distance than any other type of rod in the
game.
C. Setting the Hook:
Because the various species of fish bite in their own individual way, I will
leave most hook setting strategies for their own individual listings. But
here are the basics:
When a fish takes interest in your lure/bait, the camera will change to a
close-up of the fish approaching your line. It will either strike right away,
or carry the bait for a while.
Setting the hook is accomplished by pressing the X button and jerking back on
the left analog stick at the same time. If you successfully hook the fish you
will hear a little chime. You will want to continue holding the left analog
stick back, as the fish will struggle right away. Whether or not you choose to
hold the X button depends (see Playing the Fish below).
The point at which you want to set the hook is called the "bite". The closer
you set the hook to the "bite", the better. The "bite" is not to be confused
with the appearance of the fish to be taking the bait in its mouth; just
because it appears to be biting does not mean that you should set your hook
OR that you should not.
Here is when you should set your hook:
With Vibration
--------------
The controller will vibrate. When you feel it, set your hook as fast as you
can.
Without Vibration
-----------------
While the game manual does not mention this, I've found that the developers
put in a way for you to recognize the "bite point" even when the vibration is
turned off or does not work. This is especially helpful when fishing for
almost any kind of Carp. You can do this anywhere - but for the best
demonstration, do this:
-Go to the shallows. Equip and bait your Crucian Carp Rod, then exit the
menu so that you are ready to cast.
Now move to where the stick in the far end of the water lines up with
the pile of rocks on the far shore.
-Press the triangle button to bring up your menu screen. Now use your
D-pad to toggle up and down between "Map" and "Tackle".
Listen to the sound the game makes with each toggle up and down - like
a tiny bubble popping.
Keep that sound in your head and press O to exit the menu.
-Cast directly at the stick in the water and wait for the Carp.
You need a Carp that nibbles at the bait or hesitates after taking it
(If you get a hit-and-run, press the square button to auto-bait, and
try again).
When the Carp takes your bait, listen for a single occurrence of that
toggle sound - one little "pop".
That's the no-vibe cue to set the hook.
When you hear it, hit the X button and slam back on the left analog
stick immediately.
-Practice this until you have it down, and you will be able to do it to
almost every fish in the game. Your Carp troubles are over!!
D. Playing the Fish
Ah...the true meat of the gameplay. I will cover this in the individual fish
strategies as well, but here are the basics.
The first thing you need to know is that when you first set the hook, the fish
will "struggle" to get free. To fight against a struggle, keep your left
analog stick back and do nothing else until the fish stops thrashing.
Now the real "play" begins.
The basic goal at this point is obviously to reel the fish in, but the fish
wants no part of it.
Before I get to the fight, here are a couple of things you need to note in
order to successfully land your catch.
Watch...
-----
for your fish to release a small burst of little bubbles. This is your primary
cue to start reeling. The fish is temporarily exhausted and won't resist. Do
not hold back on the stick when reeling a fish in its tired phase.
Listen...
------
for a constant "ping-ping-ping" sound. This is your cue to stop reeling. It is
the sound of your line getting dangerously close to snapping (if it breaks,
you lose the lure, fly, or bait). Your line will "ping" slowly at first, then
progressively faster as it gets closer to breaking. When you hear this sound,
stop reeling and let the fish run for a moment by pushing your left analog
forward.
Back to the fight.
After the fish stops its initial struggle, it will run either left/right, or
straight ahead. Either way, keep your stick held back (unless your line
pings).
If it runs left or right, you're in luck. Keep back on the stick a little and
press the X button (reel) in bursts to get the fish turned toward you.
It will probably swing around and run to the opposite side once or twice, but
keep trying to get the fish to face you, and don't overuse the X button or
your line will start to ping.
You should get bubbles at this point, and a brief reeling in period.
If it runs straight away from you, it will be a little harder to get it turned
around. Either keep your stick back and wait for bubbles, or hold X to tighten
the leash and turn it around (holding X is riskier, but more effective once
you get better at keeping your line intact).
The rest is a kind of quasi turn-based affair.
The fish makes its moves by running or struggling while you counter to keep
from losing ground.
And you make your move by reeling it in each time it tires.
Keep in mind, that this a very basic novice description, and you will develop
your own strategy for landing a fish after you've gained more experience.
==============================================================================
III. Fish Types and Strategies
********************************
The fish here are listed in the general order that they appear in the game.
Bluegill - Young 4"-10" / Mature 10"-1'04"
--------
Location: Pier, Shallows, Woods
This flat, round fish is easy to identify prior to casting and also easy to
catch. It's abundant in all three of its locations, and serves mostly to annoy
you by biting your hook when you were trying to catch something else.
Strategy: You're joking, right?
Largemouth Bass - Young 7"-10" / Mature 10"-1'04" / Giant 1'04"-2'04"
---------------
Location: Pier, Shallows, Woods
Only slightly less common in its locations than the Bluegill, the Largemouth
is the mainstay of the still-water levels.
Strategy: Set the hook as soon as the fish bites and stick with the basics.
Smaller Bass are almost as easy as Bluegill, but the Lunkers later in the game
can put up an entertaining fight that won't stress you out.
Bullhead - Mature 3"-10"
--------
Location: Yamame Mountain Stream, Char Mountain Stream
An odd (read ugly) little brown fish that most people will probably overlook
in the Yamame Stream level until the later Char Stream level. There is only
one of these at a time in each level (two, once in a while), so you have to
know where to look.
Strategy: In Yamame, if you stand right of the halfway point between the left
and the right walking limits, while facing straight ahead, you should be able
to look down between two large boulders (of about the same size) and see the
Bullhead as a tiny brown spot in the deep water near the other side of the
stream.
The slow Bullhead can't keep up with a fly in these fast waters, so use a
"Stream Pole S" baited with Salmon Eggs.
In Char Mountain, the Bullhead is easier to spot by catching something else,
then watching for it while you reel the other fish in. You'll have to use a
fly.
Once you've hooked the Bullhead, it's easy to bring in.
Dace - Mature 6"-1'06"
----
Location: Yamame Mountain Stream, Char Mountain Stream
This overgrown silver minnow dominates the right side of the Yamame Stream,
and might seem like a pretty good fight early in the game. But once you
have some experience under your belt, you'll find it to be the easiest of the
fast-water fish.
Strategy: When it takes your bait, it hesitates before biting; so wait for the
signal before setting your hook. You should have no trouble bringing it in, as
long as you can keep it from running too much.
Fast Fact: They turn red during spawning season.
Splake - Young 5"-8" / Mature 8"-1'04"
------
Location: Yamame Mountain Stream, Char Mountain Stream
A cross between a Yamame Trout and a Char, the greenish-colored Splake can
drive a new player nuts trying to find it. There's only one at a time per
level, like the Bullhead, but the Splake has chosen a much better hiding
place.
Strategy: In Yamame, walk all the way to the right, and face the waterfall. If
You look down, you'll see a formation of three boulders under the water. You
should cast at full strength up the channel that runs along the right-side of
the boulder formation toward the waterfall. Sometimes, if you look at the
right-side of the boulders, you can see the greenish Splake swimming there
before you cast. You'll know if you see it, by the difference in color from
the Dace swimming nearby.
When it goes for your bait, wait for the bite to come soon after. I used a
"Trout Lure Rod Spinning Reel S" with a "Trout Spinner Twin Ball" on 8lb.
line. But, if you have trouble getting it to bite, a lot of people say use a
Spoon.
Once caught, the fish puts up a decent fight for its size. It struggles more
than most, so keep that stick back.
Although the game says the Splake can be caught at Char Mountain, I have yet
to find it there. The first person to tell me where to catch a Splake in Char
Mountain Stream will get a credit here when I confirm it. Please note the
Season and Weather conditions as well.
Yamame Trout - Young 5"-10" / Mature 10"-1'08"
------------
Location: Yamame Mountain Stream
The Reel Fishing III cover fish, this cool-looking trout, with its distinctive
Safari-esque oval spots, dominates the left side of the Yamame Mountain Stream
area.
Strategy: A fast striker. You should set your hook the instant the fish puts
its mouth on your line. Take your time bringing it in; it won't run far, but
tends to give you the slip if you rush it.
Bitterling - Mature 1"-4"
----------
Location: Shallows
An Aspirin with fins, the Bitterling loves nothing more than to make you wait,
and wait... and wait... Oh, don't worry though - your waiting hours will be
filled with the joy of catching countless Pale Chubs.
Strategy: More than you might think. If you're fishing strictly for Bitties,
don't use the Dyed Maggot Chum (mmmm... Maggot Chum) as it will also draw
Carps. I seem to have the best luck at finding them near the stick, but like
I said before, expect wave after wave of Chubs.
When one does bite, it will bite quickly. So watch in case it nibbles first,
but the set the hook as soon as it takes it.
Deepbodied Crucian Carp - Young 6"-1'00" / Mature 1'00"-2'00"
-----------------------
Location: Shallows
The object of many a virtual angler's frustration, it's the first Carp in a
long series, it's the only still-water Carp, and, as frustrating as this fish
might seem at first, it only HINTS at the level of hook-setting skill you'll
need for other Carps down the line.
Strategy: The main thing to remember about the Deepbodied Crucian Carp is that
it's a slow biter. It will take your bait in its mouth, and then it will go to
the mall, take money out of the ATM, and catch a movie before it bites. You
need to let it do its thing and wait for the vibration in your controller
before you set the hook. But set it quickly when the time comes. Oh yeah, and
just to spice things up, sometimes the DCC just hits your line and takes the
bait like a well-oiled ninja assassin.
All this and you only have 9 bait per day to work with.
You can always switch to the Bitterling Rod and use Maggot Chum, but the Bitty
Rod's limited range keeps you from hitting the best DCC spot in the level
(Line the stick in the water up with pile of rocks on the shore. Anywhere near
the base of the stick is good, but the "sweet-spot" is at the tip of the
little branch that points to the left).
For those of you who (like myself) don't have vibration, you don't have
to struggle with this fish! If you have not already done so, scroll back up
this FAQ to General Strategy (Section III), find part C (Setting the Hook),
and look for the title: Without Vibration.
Florida Largemouth Bass - Mature 1'03"-1"06" / Giant 1'06"-2'08"
-----------------------
Location: Shallows, Woods
I love this fish (no not like that you sicko!). Unlike the Carps, which are
all bite and no fight, the muscular Florida Largemouth is a pure fighter.
Watching this beast come after your lure is often like watching Jaws chase
down a swimmer (Run little lure! RUN!). This ugly Bass has a beauty all its
own. In the Shallows and Woods levels, it's the King of the Jungle.
Strategy: This fish has an eat-first-ask-questions-later attitude that makes
setting the hook a snap.
But, bringing it in is a tug-of-war; while you try to haul it into the boat,
it tries to haul you out. Novice players in the Shallows can expect their
lines to get dragged all over the back wall.
You'll have to play this fish aggressively, often making your line sing, to
keep the Florida from taking back your hard-earned gains. Mastery will come
with practice.
Pale Chub - Mature 2"-6"
---------
Location: Shallows
Chubby it ain't. The Pale Chub uses it's quick speed to snake the bait out
from under the nose of that big Carp you were trying to catch. Much swearing
ensues.
Strategy: Quickly hit the O button to withdraw your line before this pest
wastes your precious Carp bait.
What's that? Oh, you were TRYING to catch one? Ok.
Unlike the Bitterling, you should wait for the bite-signal before you set the
hook. Then hang on baby, 'cause this monster's gonna TAKE YOU DOWN!!!
Char - Young 5"-7" / Mature 7"-1'04" / Giant 1'04"-2'04"
----
Location: Char Mountain Stream, Waterfall Basin
This spot-backed bullet can be caught at the bottom of the waterfall and sold
to Tom Nook for a WHOLE LOTTA BELLS!! Er... in a game called Animal Crossing
that is.
But this fish must really like waterfalls, because in Reel Fishing 3 you'll
find it at the bottoms of waterfalls as well.
Strategy: Don't hesitate to set your hook when this fast-water fish bites. And
that speed isn't just for biting either; once you hook one, it runs. A LOT.
Keep its running game in check and you should have no problem making the catch.
At least, for now...
Brown Trout - Mature 1'04"-2'00" / Giant 2'00"-3"04"
-----------
Location: Woods, Misty Cove
Big, brown, and burly, this trout is prolific only at the elusive Misty Cove
(I have YET to catch one in the woods). Get 'em while you can.
Strategy: Wait for the cue on these; they like to swish your lure around in
their mouths a bit before biting. The small ones put up about the same fight
as a Rainbow, but the big ones can be real pole-benders. Be patient, but firm.
Rainbow Trout - Young 7"-9" / Mature 9"-1'04" / Giant 1'04"-2'08"
-------------
Location: Woods, Misty Cove
One of the best-known trouts in the World, the Rainbow is plentiful in the
Woods level. And Misty Cove has lots of lunkers. Too many, actually; You keep
shooting for big shadows, thinking they're Brown Trouts, and they end up being
big 'Bows instead.
Strategy: Hesitate for a split-second before setting the hook. Lunkers can put
up a pretty decent fight, but by this point in the game your skills won't be
challenged by this trout.
Black Chinese Roach (Black Carp) - Mature 3'00"-5'00" / Giant 5'00"-7'04"
-------------------
Location: Old Bridge
Here comes the pain. You'll have fond memories of the ease in which you caught
those Deepbodied Crucian Carps after you've faced this monster. Look for a
long shark-like shadow that's more of a soft brown than a black. Oh, and that
shadow will be really, really big. Really.
Strategy: First, the good news. Once you have the BCR on your hook, it puts up
the best fight of the whole Carp clan.
And the bad? Well, for starters you're back to having a 9 baits per day limit.
Worse. This beast has the most unpredictable bite ritual in the game,
bar-none. It might come up and snap the bait right off the hook (in which case
I promise you, you have NO chance of catching it). Or, it might gingerly pick
up your bait and take it on a romantic weekend trip to Paris before finally,
finally, FINALLY biting. Or, it might do anything in-between.
But, at least one thing is for sure: when this fish does bite, I hope you have
ESP, because you have to set the hook at the exact (and I mean EXACT) moment
you get the bite-cue. This means you will practically have to anticipate its
bite.
To complicate this even further, the Roach doesn't hang out for long. Some
days you will only get a few chances at it.
Don't worry, though. Your old pal stormgeist is here drop his personal Giant
Roach strategy on ya:
First, wait for the Roach to get your bait in its mouth. After it has it, the
Roach will slooooowly turn around and start moving away.
At this point, watch for it to start diving deeper.
Now watch very carefully. As it dives, look for a subtle speeding-up of its
tail (like the fish is about to charge). As soon as you see that tail speed
up, wait for three seconds (one... two... three) and set the hook on three.
This will NOT work for you every time, but it will get you one eventually.
Also, DO NOT use that strategy on the smaller-shadowed Mature-size Black
Roaches, only on the Giant-size; the timing on the smaller ones is more
forgiving and you're better off just waiting for the signal (but still be VERY
fast when you get it).
Whatever way you try to catch it, be persistent. It's simply a matter of time.
Carp - Giant 1'08"-3'08"
----
Location: Old Bridge
The Carp could easily be called Black Roach Lite. It's everything the Roach
is, only less so. Its shadow, for instance, is easily confused with the
Roach's (they're the same color). But the Carp's shadow is smaller, and
squatter. And it does have one feature that sets it apart from the pack. The
Carp has barbels (whiskers).
Strategy: The Black Roach Lite analogy continues. The Carp is an extremely
slow biter, like the Roach. But luckily for us, the timing is much more
forgiving. Just wait for the cue before you set the hook and you'll be fine.
This is the only one of the Old Bridge Carps that will take multiple kinds of
bait. So, if you're trying to catch a Roach and you don't want to waste your
limited supply of Mud Snails, watch for the Carp's whiskers so you can
withdraw your line before it gets to your bait.
Fast Fact: The Carp's lifespan is about 100 years (the longest of any fish in
the World).
Personal Observation: When you're reeling this fish in, it looks like a rat's
head on a fish's body (Look everybody! It's a Ratmaid!).
Cherry Salmon - Mature 1'06"-2'00" / Giant 2'00"-2'08"
-------------
Location: Old Bridge
In among all those Carp types, the Cherry Salmon is the only other kind of
fish in the Old Bridge level. I can't say for sure, but honestly I doubt this
thing tastes like cherries.
Strategy: For some reason, you have an arsenal of various Poles, Lures, Flies,
Baits, and such, all at your disposal only to catch the Cherry Salmon;
whereas you have no tackle options at all to catch the four, much more
difficult kinds of Carp.
Set your hook as soon as it goes for the bait. It's not a strong fighter.
Fast Fact: The Cherry Salmon is the sea-running form of the Yamame Trout.
Grass Carp - Giant 3'02"-5'04"
----------
Location: Old Bridge
This beauty of the Carp set likes to hang around in the shallow part of the
Old Bridge level. Its shadow is distinguished by its large size and yellow
tint. They only come out on sunny days.
Strategy: The Grass Carp is a fast biter, so set your hook as soon as the fish
hits your bait.
Fast Fact: It has teeth.
Silver Carp - Mature 2'04"-4'08"
-----------
Location: Old Bridge
This medium-sized Carp's light gray shadow is easy to spot. Along with the
Carp, the Silver is the most common Carp on this level.
Strategy: Like the Grass Carp, the Silver bites quick. As soon as its mouth
is on your bait, set the hook. It puts up a brief fight, but wears out
quickly.
Fast Fact: It can leap high out of the water (Hey! A flying Cow! Look out!).
King Salmon - Giant 2'04"-5'00"
-----------
Location: Salmon River
Make no mistake about it; This big fish is tough. Look for a large still
shadow, usually to the left side of the level. It has small black spots on its
back and a white side and belly, with a grayish head.
Strategy: Set your hook as soon as it goes for your line, and prepare for
battle. Expect to bring your line continuously to the brink of snapping as
you fight to keep the King from gaining ground on you. This is a long battle,
that will be fought an inch at a time.
Pink Salmon - Young 2'00"-2'06" / Mature 2'06"-3'04"
-----------
Location: Salmon River
The young form of the Pink Salmon looks fine, but the super-deformed Mature
version gets my vote for Ugliest Fish in the Game. They are easy to spot in
water because of their constant motion, and can be found all over the Salmon
River level.
Strategy: A fast fish with a fast bite, they sometimes hit your line before
the camera has time to change to an approach view. Set your hook as soon as
one hits.
The Young put up a fight that plays like a slightly weaker King Salmon. But
the Mature puts up a fight with long periods of thrashing and short periods
of reeling in.
If your line is not making a lot of noise, you're probably not being
aggressive enough.
Steelhead Trout - Mature 1'06"-2'08" / Giant 2'08"-4'04"
---------------
Location: Salmon River
The Steelhead's long slender shape is easy to spot amongst the other denizens
of the Salmon River's waters. It is the toughest of the Trout, and one of the
coolest-looking fish in the game (robo-trout!). It can be found everywhere in
the level.
Strategy: Like all of the fish in Salmon River, the Steelhead bites fast, so
set the hook when it strikes.
Hooked, this fish has a wicked running game. Keep its runs in check as much as
your line will allow.
Fast Fact: The Steelhead is the sea-running form of the Rainbow Trout.
##############################################################################
# #
# BOSS SECTION #
# #
# *This section contains spoilers* #
# Do not scroll down if you do not want to see #
# #
##############################################################################
*Boss Fish*
Bighead Carp - Mature 3'04"-6'04"
------------
Location: Old Bridge
This massive Carp is actually a little shorter than the Roach, but has a much
thicker girth. The Bighead looks more like a Manatee than a fish.
Strategy: Unfortunately this Boss Fish has only been caught once. So until I
play through a second time, or another one spawns, I am going from my best
memory. In a future update I will confirm strategy and remove this disclaimer.
Set your hook as soon as it strikes, the same way you would with a Silver or a
Grass Carp. I really don't remember this fight at all, so it must not have
been too tough. Yeah I know that's a cop-out, but like I said, I will fix this
soon. Besides, if you've made it this far...
*Boss Fish*
Monster Char - Legendary 3'04"-5'00"
------------
Location: Waterfall Basin
This boss can be a little hard to find; you'll need to look for a for a shadow
that... oh, I don't know... is about SIX TIMES bigger than every other Char!!!
It may not be the biggest, or even remotely heaviest, but this, in my opinion,
is one of the toughest fish in the game. Prepare to get schooled, played,
AND spanked.
Strategy: Originally shows up as a boss fish after you have caught the Bighead
Carp. Appears in rare random occurences thereafter
I had a hard time getting a line to this beast without the other Chars coming
in and grabbing it first. It can't seem to maneuver much due its big size in a
limited space, so you have to get something right in its face. I used my usual
Trout Spinning Reel S with the Trout Spinner Twin Ball and a maxed-out line
strength.
Once you get the Monster on your line, expect a long fight with a STRONG
runner. It will ignore your puny attempts to gain on it, and keep dragging
your sorry butt all the way to the far wall time and time again. Keep fighting
for that gain, and after a while (if you're lucky enough for your hook to
still be in) those gains will start to pay off.
*Final Boss Fish*
Giant King Salmon - Legendary 6'04"-7'04"
-----------------
Location: Salmon River
This fish usually shows up to the far left, where you will only see its tail.
But I have seen one's whole shadow when it showed up right in front of me.
It's big and it looks like it's been in a few back-alley brawls.
Strategy: Originally shows up as a boss fish after you have caught every other
fish in the game at every size (juvenile, mature, etc...) for each type.
Appears in rare random occurences thereafter.
So far, every fish you've encountered in the Salmon River level has been a
fast biter, and the Giant King is no exception. In fact, the GKS often bites so
fast that your hook will set while you're trolling your line, before you even
know the fish is there.
After you hook it, you'll feel every bit as helpless to stop its runs as you
did with the Monster Char. On top of that, unlike the M. Char, the Giant King
has almost unlimited room to run and can stretch your line to insane distances
if you're not careful. Plus the Giant King plays a mean fight and struggle
game as well.
This means the tide of the battle will not turn in your favor as quickly.
I once fought one for an epic twenty minutes, only to have it break my line.
##############################################################################
# #
# BONUS ROOM #
# #
# *More Spoilers Ahead* #
# #
##############################################################################
*Special Fish*
Black Carp, Red Carp
--------------------
Location: Carp Room
What the heck are these things, paintings? Weird. Cool, but weird. No need to
look for shadows here; you can see the actual fish right there on the ...err
wall. Well just outside the wall actually, but kind of on the wall too, and...
Oh, never mind. Just enjoy this highly original level for what it is. Whatever
that may be.
Strategy: Both types are fast biters, so cast your rod at full-strength to
give the camera time to pan so you can see when they strike. Set your hook
quickly when they do.
The Black Carps are pretty easy-going, but the Red Carps put up a real
line-twanging smoker of a fight.
Oh... And I highly suggest you use the Butterfly Lure.
===============================================================================
IV. Credits
************
I would like to thank:
-Natsume for my continued enjoyment of the Reel Fishing Series. Don't ever
stop making original games like these and the Harvest Moon series.
-CJayC for creating and maintaining the (by far) best gaming resource ever.
I'm talking about GameFAQs of course.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/
-Mods, Admins, and anyone else who puts the hard work in to make GameFAQs the
best video game site on the web.
-principito99 for making a great walk-thru FAQ, exchanging lots of good
info, helping me catch the Black Roach, and being an all-around great
presence on the Reel Fishing III message board.
-pyro420 and Ultima2000 for being the first ones to detail how to catch the
elusive Splake.
-tnirish2000 for numerous things, but specifically for being the first on the
board to detail how to catch the Deepbodied Crucian Carp and the Silver Carp.
-Lord SilverStone for providing a "sharked" tackle list that will allow us to
figure out which tackle is common, and which must be unlocked.
-bosoxfan for providing a piece of info in my Mysteries, Rumors, and
Observations section (credit is given IN that section as well), and for
catching my back against those Reel Fishing playa' haytas'.
V. Mysteries, Rumors, and Observations
**************************************
This section is just for fun. It's pretty empty now, but I will add more as I
find it.
There are some interesting things around the Aqua Lodge. Like the little box
on the mantle above the fireplace. I'm pretty sure that's the peg "puzzle"
you try to complete in Reel Fishing 1, but I can't find my copy of the game to
confirm. I would venture to guess that some of the other things around the
Lodge allude to previous installments of the series as well. I do feel,
however, that this installment is an homage to the first.
GameFAQs member bosoxfan noticed that page 15 of the US instruction manual
has a screenshot of a Catch List with an entry for a Sakura Trout, which has
not been found to be in the game (as far as anyone knows).
Thanks to a "sharked" tackle list provided by Lord SilverStone, both
principito99 (author of the Reel Fishing III general FAQ) and myself were
able to compare our finished-game tackle lists with a complete one.
What we found were six pieces of tackle that are not obtainable by normal
means...
There is no known way to obtain these four pieces without a cheat device:
Fly(Dry) Black Beetle
Lure(Top Water): Swisher Brown Black
Lure(top Water): Terrestrial Higurashi Cicada
Lure(Medium): Suspended Minnow MBL
These two pieces are obtainable, but it is not known how:
Fly(Dry): Small Hopper
Fly(Wet): Salmon Egg
principito99 and I each had one of those two, and in unusually high numbers -
he had x9 of one, I had x9 of the other.
I'm playing through a second time to determine how we came by them, and to see
if the others can be gotten the same way. Stay tuned.
VI. Just Who Do You Think You Are!
**********************************
This is a list of my Reel Fishing III records and statistics.
Dog's Name: Cerebus
(Pronounced "sair-a-bus") In mythology, it is the three-headed dog that guards
the gates of Hell.
Time: 99:59:59 Catch Total:999 Release Total:999 Puzzle Pieces: All
Flies: 38/40 Rods 10/10 Lures: 86/89 Floats 6/6 Baits: 12/12
Records:
Fish * Size * Lbs. * Location Caught
===========================================================================
Bighead Carp * 6'00" * 72.07 * Old Bridge
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bitterling * 03" * 0.0008 * Shallows
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black Chinese Roach * 6'10" * 128.6 * Old Bridge
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bluegill * 1'01" * 1.038 * Woods
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brown Trout * 2'10" * 6.218 * Misty Cove
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bullhead * 07" * 0.037 * Char Mt. Stream
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carp * 3'03" * 13.99 * Old Bridge
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Char * 2'00" * 2.65 * Waterfall Basin
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monster Char * 4'10" * 19.09 * Waterfall Basin
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cherry Salmon * 2'04" * 5.902 * Old Bridge
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dace * 1'03" * 1.082 * Char Mt. Stream
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deepbodied Crucian Carp * 1'11" * 2.593 * Shallows
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida Largemouth Bass * 2'06" * 7.796 * Woods
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grass Carp * 4'07" * 49.25 * Old Bridge
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
King Salmon * 4'11" * 15.73 * Salmon River
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giant King Salmon * 7'00" * 40.53 * Salmon River
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Largemouth Bass * 2'00" * 4.725 * Shallows
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pale Chub * 05" * 0.059 * Shallows
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pink Salmon * 2'11" * 10.12 * Salmon River
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rainbow Trout * 2'02" * 7.159 * Misty Cove
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Silver Carp * 4'01" * 45.58 * Old Bridge
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Splake * 1'00" * 0.632 * Yamame Mt. Stream
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steelhead Trout * 3'08" * 11.56 * Salmon River
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yamame Trout * 1'04" * 0.939 * Yamame Mt. Stream
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Black Carp and Red Carp do not appear in any list in the game; therefore
all I know is that my record catches are 3'03" on each. I don't know the
weights.
The game DOES know when you break your Red/Black Carp records though, because
you get the chimes when you do.
The next time I break them, I will add them to the list.
