What to know
- The Fishing Rod is found in the Backwaters Shanty Swamp on the route toward Nox’s Bayou.
- You must pass through a Kear Gate area and meet the alligator brothers Irwin and Durwin.
- Equipping the Fishing Rod reveals fish shadows in water across Tenebrous Isle.
- Besides fishing, it can pull Mina toward enemies and help reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
After obtaining the Fishing Rod, you’ll unlock an entirely new activity in Mina the Hollower. Fishing provides valuable resources, collectible fish trophies, healing items, Plasma rewards, and even opens the path toward several completion goals. More importantly, the rod becomes one of the strongest utility sidearms in the game thanks to its movement and combat applications.
| Quick Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Item | Fishing Rod |
| Type | Sidearm |
| Location | Backwaters Shanty Swamp |
| Nearby Area | Nox’s Bayou |
| NPCs Involved | Irwin and Durwin |
| Requirement | At least 1 Kear |
| Main Uses | Fishing, combat, traversal, collectibles |
Where to find the Fishing Rod in Mina the Hollower
The Fishing Rod is located in the Backwaters Shanty Swamp, one of the early-game regions you visit while heading toward Nox’s Bayou. Bring at least one Kear before attempting to collect it.
As you explore the swamp, you’ll eventually reach an area filled with floating square platforms surrounded by sunken buildings. From there, make your way toward the upper-right section of the area.
A rope barrier appears to block the route, but the swamp’s deep water can be traversed by burrowing underneath. After crossing, head north and climb the nearby stairs. You’ll encounter a Kear Gate and a chest. Use a Kear to unlock the path, then continue east.
At the dock beyond the gate, you’ll find two alligator brothers:
- Durwin, who displays fish trophies.
- Irwin, who is actively fishing.
Speak with Irwin to trigger the scene that awards the Fishing Rod. After the encounter, the rod becomes yours permanently.
How to use the Fishing Rod
Once obtained, equip the Fishing Rod as your active Sidearm.
Press the Sidearm button to cast the line into the water. You can slightly adjust where the hook lands while casting.
Press the Sidearm button again to reel the line back in. If your hook connects with a fish shadow, you’ll pull something out of the water.
What can be caught while fishing
After acquiring the Fishing Rod, dark shadows begin appearing beneath water surfaces throughout the game world, including small puddles in Ossex and larger bodies of water elsewhere.
| Possible Catch | Reward |
|---|---|
| Red Fish | Healing resources |
| Blue Fish | Joules |
| Yellow Fish | Plasma |
| Plasma Rose | Plasma resource |
| Joule Container | Joules |
| Health Vial | Healing |
| Bomb | Utility item |
| Trophy Fish | Collectible fish for Durwin’s display |
Many special fish become part of the game’s fishing collection system, and defeating them after catching them adds them to Durwin’s trophy rack.
Using the Fishing Rod in combat
The Fishing Rod is much more than a fishing minigame tool.
When you cast the line at a sturdy enemy and successfully hook them, reeling in pulls Mina directly toward the target. This functions similarly to a hookshot, allowing you to rapidly close distance and chain attacks.
The technique is particularly effective against ranged enemies because you can:
- Close large gaps instantly.
- Deal damage during the pull.
- Continue attacking after landing.
- Maintain offensive pressure while spending very little Joule energy.
Using the Fishing Rod for exploration
Many players consider the Fishing Rod one of the strongest exploration tools in the game.
By hooking enemies across gaps, spikes, or inaccessible ledges, Mina can pull herself to locations that would otherwise be unreachable. This allows you to reach hidden treasure chests, cross dangerous terrain, access secret paths, skip portions of platforming sections, and hit objects beyond barriers.
As you progress through Tenebrous Isle, you’ll frequently encounter situations where the Fishing Rod provides shortcuts or alternate solutions to environmental puzzles.
Why the Fishing Rod is worth getting early
Although it initially appears to be a simple side activity item, the Fishing Rod quickly becomes one of the most valuable sidearms in Mina the Hollower.
It provides a reliable source of healing and resources through fishing, expands exploration opportunities, contributes to fish collection objectives, and gives Mina a powerful movement option during combat and traversal.
Many hidden items and secrets become significantly easier to obtain once you have it equipped.
The Fishing Rod can be found in Backwaters Shanty Swamp near Nox’s Bayou after reaching the dock where Irwin and Durwin are located. Once acquired, it reveals fish shadows in water, lets you catch valuable resources and collectible fish, and serves as an incredibly useful hookshot-style sidearm for both combat and exploration. If you’re exploring the island thoroughly, this is one of the earliest sidearms you should prioritize obtaining.
