Take a moment to figure out how the Map Generator tool works and it will be your best friend.

Use it to find a Trader in your world, they are relatively obtuse to find if you aren't specifically looking for them, and even still it can sometimes take many hours to find the Trader if your world generation is unlucky. But the Trader is your key here because he's your best shot at getting a fishing pole, and currently your only source of bait for said pole. Be sure to bring materials for a portal when you set out so you can return to the Trader at any point.

https://valheim-map.world/

i did this a while ago: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2600396080

Originally posted by GunsForBucks:

Originally posted by Ryzilynt:

Yes, of course. And if that primitive brain surgeon had to go out and find a trader in order to obtain a fishing pole he would have found a way.

I think his point is that if we "remember" crafting things by picking up items that in turn means we should normally pick stuff up to fish with seeing as it is such a basic thing.

I'm sorry I've been obtuse.

If you want to fish in Valheim go to the trader. He is easy to find.

And yeah it'd be great if you could craft different fishing rods at the workbench. But for now , head over to the trader.

If this was intended to be a suggestion , there is a place specifically designed for that.

Originally posted by Ryzilynt:

Originally posted by blprice61:

Humans were fishing in the stone age, possibly some primitive brain surgery as well, no HVAC though. Sounds like your vision is too bound up by modern specialization, in days of old when men were bold, people learned to do what was necessary to survive.

Yes, of course. And if that primitive brain surgeon had to go out and find a trader in order to obtain a fishing pole he would have found a way.

I think his point is that if we "remember" crafting things by picking up items that in turn means we should normally pick stuff up to fish with seeing as it is such a basic thing.

Originally posted by Ryzilynt:

Originally posted by blprice61:

Have to admit this is one part of the game that irks me to no end. While fishing poles are now available as a rare drop in specific places, you still have to buy the bait from the Trader even if you don't buy the fishing pole from him.

How my avatar can remember /relearn the crafting of weapons and armor, build ships and castles, yet have no clue about how to make any kind of fishing implement (pole, net, spear, etc.) nor can figure out where to dig for bait , is a major WTF?

In the interests of sanity I just ignore fishing altogether.

How would it be possible for one to learn how to perform surgery on the human brain yet struggle when it comes to installing HVAC systems or rebuilding the engine of their car?

Your question is absurd.

A better question is how is it that someone would have trouble buying a fishing pole and bait from the merchant without complaining about it needlessly?

Choose your battles.

Humans were fishing in the stone age, possibly some primitive brain surgery as well, no HVAC though. Sounds like your vision is too bound up by modern specialization, in days of old when men were bold, people learned to do what was necessary to survive.

There are ten random trader locations. When one is found it becomes the only one.

They are always in a Black Forest

Originally posted by blprice61:

Originally posted by Ryzilynt:

How would it be possible for one to learn how to perform surgery on the human brain yet struggle when it comes to installing HVAC systems or rebuilding the engine of their car?

Your question is absurd.

A better question is how is it that someone would have trouble buying a fishing pole and bait from the merchant without complaining about it needlessly?

Choose your battles.

Humans were fishing in the stone age, possibly some primitive brain surgery as well, no HVAC though. Sounds like your vision is too bound up by modern specialization, in days of old when men were bold, people learned to do what was necessary to survive.

Yes, of course. And if that primitive brain surgeon had to go out and find a trader in order to obtain a fishing pole he would have found a way.

Buy one

Have to admit this is one part of the game that irks me to no end. While fishing poles are now available as a rare drop in specific places, you still have to buy the bait from the Trader even if you don't buy the fishing pole from him.

How my avatar can remember /relearn the crafting of weapons and armor, build ships and castles, yet have no clue about how to make any kind of fishing implement (pole, net, spear, etc.) nor can figure out where to dig for bait , is a major WTF?

In the interests of sanity I just ignore fishing altogether.

Originally posted by blprice61:

Have to admit this is one part of the game that irks me to no end. While fishing poles are now available as a rare drop in specific places, you still have to buy the bait from the Trader even if you don't buy the fishing pole from him.

How my avatar can remember /relearn the crafting of weapons and armor, build ships and castles, yet have no clue about how to make any kind of fishing implement (pole, net, spear, etc.) nor can figure out where to dig for bait , is a major WTF?

In the interests of sanity I just ignore fishing altogether.

How would it be possible for one to learn how to perform surgery on the human brain yet struggle when it comes to installing HVAC systems or rebuilding the engine of their car?

Your question is absurd.

A better question is how is it that someone would have trouble buying a fishing pole and bait from the merchant without complaining about it needlessly?

Choose your battles.

Originally posted by Ryzilynt:

Originally posted by blprice61:

Have to admit this is one part of the game that irks me to no end. While fishing poles are now available as a rare drop in specific places, you still have to buy the bait from the Trader even if you don't buy the fishing pole from him.

How my avatar can remember /relearn the crafting of weapons and armor, build ships and castles, yet have no clue about how to make any kind of fishing implement (pole, net, spear, etc.) nor can figure out where to dig for bait , is a major WTF?

In the interests of sanity I just ignore fishing altogether.

How would it be possible for one to learn how to perform surgery on the human brain yet struggle when it comes to installing HVAC systems or rebuilding the engine of their car?

Your question is absurd.

A better question is how is it that someone would have trouble buying a fishing pole and bait from the merchant without complaining about it needlessly?

Choose your battles.

so use the cheat to find the 1 and only merchant in the whole world i guess ...

Originally posted by Yung Pro#9868:

I can sail warships full of warriors across oceans, but i still cant figure out how to fish, or obtain a fishing pole, any tips?

You can purchase one at the Trader, along with bait, or you can get one if you are lucky enough to find a frozen like in the mountains, in the cave systems.

If you have the fishing rod and some bait, fishing is straightforward.

1st, find a body of water. Fish can appear in rivers or the ocean, so try several locations. We found that rivers are a good fishing spot since it’s easy to see if fish are in the area.

After you find a spot, equip both the fishing rod and bait. Both items should be highlighted in blue in your inventory. To cast your line, hold down the left mouse button. Let go of the button early to do a short cast or hold it until your character stops moving for the maximum casting distance.

Once your hook hits the water, it’ll splash down and sit there. Pressing the right mouse button will make you tug the line a short distance. Keep doing this to attract fish. Practice patience and tug at the line every so often while you wait for a bite.

When you see a small splash appear around your hook, press the right mouse button to hook the fish.

When you get a bite, the word “Hooked” appears on screen in yellow text. Keep hitting the right mouse button to slowly reel your fish in. Like real fishing, you’ll have to keep an eye out on the fish’s movements to figure out the right rhythm for reeling it in. If you struggle too long to pull it in, the hook will pop out, and you’ll lose the fish.

This is the jist of it.

Another flaw is you can't grab a fish out of the water. The only way to get one without a pole is if they happened to get beached. It makes no sense that I can't do the same while they are in the water.

I've never tried it, but can you use a bow to kill fish?

Originally posted by Blueheaven:

Originally posted by Ryzilynt:

How would it be possible for one to learn how to perform surgery on the human brain yet struggle when it comes to installing HVAC systems or rebuilding the engine of their car?

Your question is absurd.

A better question is how is it that someone would have trouble buying a fishing pole and bait from the merchant without complaining about it needlessly?

Choose your battles.

so use the cheat to find the 1 and only merchant in the whole world i guess ...

Or you could sail around and find the trader, or you can use the Valheim map generator website to see where the locations for your seed is... the choice is yours, but there is some good stuff at the trader like the belt.

Originally posted by vonVile:

I've never tried it, but can you use a bow to kill fish?

Nope.