El's Extreme Anglin' - World of Warcraft Fishing Guide // Training // Ranks

• 

  This page introduces fishing skill ranks and training, from Apprentice, through Journeyman, Expert, and Artisan, to Master. On this page:

  • Introduction
  • Ranks
  • Expert
  • Artisan
  • Master
  • Learn More

  "Now, I'm not saying you need to fish for 30 years or catch every fish in the sea to become a master fisherman. I reckon you just need to be determined - determined enough to sit on your duff for hours at a time, doin' nothin'." - Nat Pagle

Introduction

You improve your fishing skill by successfully catching fish. It doesn't matter where you fish or what you catch, so long as you successfully catch something. In the next section we will discuss why you might want to do more than "just catch fish" to skill-up fishing.

The table below shows the approximate number of catches required for each point of fishing skill. As discussed in the Role of Skill, the number of catches per skill point gradually rises.

About 1,700 catches are required to train from skill 1 to 375.

You cannot forget how to fish ((unlearn or reset the skill)). There is no need to unlearn fishing - it is secondary skill.

Ranks

There is a maximum skill level that you may achieve at each profession rank. You will need to improve your professional rank to advance beyond each maximum skill level. The table below summarises these levels, and what must be done to advance rank.

• ** Expert required level 20 prior to patch 2.4. The book now has no level requirement to learn, but you still need at least level 10 to reach the minimum fishing skill required (125).
• Costs assume no reputation-related reductions.
• Fishing trainers can be found in all capital cities - ask a guard for directions. There are also some fishing trainers in other zones, but do not expect to find a trainer in every zone. All fishing trainers teach both Apprentice and Journeyman ranks.

As Alliance at level 10, you can ask Gubber Blump in Darkshore to train you as an Apprentice: Take the quest The Family and the Fishing Pole, and then talk to Gubber again and he will teach you to fish for free (thanks Wyllow).

Expert

Studying the book Expert Fishing - The Bass and You is the only way to learn Expert rank. The book is sometimes sold at the Auction House. It will usually be cheaper to travel to Booty Bay and buy the book yourself. Old Man Heming (pictured left) can be found in a small shop next to the ramp up from the sea, in the centre of Booty Bay.

Horde can safely reach Booty Bay by taking the boat from Ratchet in The Barrens. For Alliance, the road to Booty Bay is too dangerous to travel alone at level 10. Instead you can swim south down the coast from Westfall - just stay away from the beach until you reach Booty Bay.

Booty Bay is in contested territory, so if the factions are at war ((PvP realms)) people can attack one another in the town. The local "bruisers" (thugs) will break up most fights very quickly, so Booty Bay is relatively safe. Be careful during festivals: The bruisers tend to drink like dwarves, and neglect their duties.

Artisan

Artisan rank is learnt by completing the quest Nat Pagle, Angler Extreme. This is available once you have 225 fishing skill and at least level 35. Nat Pagle can be found in Dustwallow Marsh, on an island due west of Theramore's piers.

The quest requires you to catch the 4 special fish listed in the table below. See the Artisan Fishing Quest section for a full walkthrough.

Artisan Quest Fish

Fish		Location
	Feralas Ahi	Verdantis River, Feralas.
	Misty Reed Mahi Mahi	Misty Reed Strand, Swamp of Sorrows.
	Sar'theris Striker	Sar'theris Strand, Desolace.
	Savage Coast Blue Sailfin	The Savage Coast, Stranglethorn Vale.

Master

The book Master Fishing - The Art of Angling can be read at level 45. Juno Duffrain (pictured right), the vendor, is in Outland. This means you will need to use the Dark Portal ((which requires the Burning Crusade)). Simply ride west across Hellfire Peninsula: Cenarion Refuge is the first settlement you will come to in Zangarmarsh. The book can be traded, so copies are often sold at the auction house.

Learn More

• Role of Skill - Introduces the concept of fishing skill, explains how your skill will increase with successful catches, and shows why skill is important.
• Artisan Fishing Quest - Complete walkthrough.
• Fishing Trainers - List from Giddy Gamer (PDF).
• Also in the Training chapter: Developing Skill, 1-375 Fast, 1-375 with Gold, 1-375 Cooking for Alliance, 1-375 Cooking for Horde, and 1-375 Cooking part II.