(First of all, sorry if this doesn't belong here. I tried to PM, but I don't have the permissions to do so. Nasomi did seem interested in my results earlier today though...)
Alright, so I didn't see a topic on this yet, so I thought I'd bite the bullet be the first. Now, some of us may have noticed there's been a recent update to fishing which is fine. I think we can all agree fishing was far too easy, and needed to be adjusted. However, since the update, it seems as though players below novice level seem completely...unable to fish at all. Taking my fishing level 1 character, I tested on the lowest level fish available: Crayfish and Jellyfish. Crayfish have a level cap of 7, while Cobalt Jellyfish have a level cap of 5 (Technically Newts in Carpenters landing are even lower at a level cap of 4, but it seems arbitrary for the purpose of my data.)
Crayfish
For Crayfish, I tested in Knightwell in West Ronfare, catching only single exclamation point catches. Knightwell is well known as a beginner fishing area in retail for leveling fishing skill. For these tests, I used both Yew fishing rods and Clothespole, using Little Worms as bait, and 2 pieces of the Fishing set, which ontop of my level 1 should net me an artificial level 3 skill.
Results:
The 3 Yew rods I'd brought all broke immediately upon their first successful catch, listing the prey as too large. For every cast of the Clothespole (About 20. Yes, shame on me for not remembering to mark down the exact amount
) I received the message Code:
You lost your catch due to your lack of skill.
Well that was a bust. Onto Windurst I guess!
Cobalt Jellyfish
For Jellyfish, testing was done in Bomingo Round in Windurst. Again, I used both Yew fishing rods and Clothespole, using Little Worms as bait, and 2 pieces of the Fishing set. To up the ante, I also received Fishing Imagery from the guild in Port Windurst, bumping me to to an artificial level 4 skill. 1 level below the Jellyfish's cap level.
Results:
This time I'd brought 6 yew rods, and although they did not break immediately this time, I received the lack of skill message on every successful catch. Clothespole results were identical to Knightwell (This time with fewer casts. About 15. Again, shame on me.).
Conclusion:
At this stage, from what I've observed, it seems as though fishing is impossible at beginning level (Level 0). I could go back and do more extensive testing, (maybe taking down the actual number of results. Again, super unprofessional. Sorry.) but from similar accounts I've heard from other players, they are noticing the same results.
I understand this server's a labor of love by one person, and updates aren't going to be perfect. I understand Nasomi makes no money on this, and we're here on their benevolence. I'm not demanding an update to roll out in the next hour. I'm simply reporting on how difficult it is for low level players to fish. Whether or not Nasomi plans on changing anything is up to them. I just hope this helps in any way. Thank you!
UPDATE - 6/6/2016
Update - 1
Thanks to sceptre for the original tip! Upon further examination, colbalt jellyfish are obtainable by level 0 in Port Bastok, using little worms to single them out. Oddly, this doesn't seem to be the case in other areas with cobalt jellyfish. While skilling up is indeed possible here, it's at a snails pace, and a player can go several hours without seeing a single skillup. Further updates will be posted here as they become available. Crayfish also seem to be catch-able at level 4 at knightwell.
Update - 2
Thanks to Sami for her accounts and reports. Crayfish were reported to be caught at level 3 without gear, and carp at level 5. Carp has been confirmed by yours truly. So for the record, here is the fishing path we have so far since the update, this should at least help get you started.
Level 0-3 - Jellyfish//Port Bastok or Selbina (thanks to Desimus20!)//Clothespole, Little Worm <(Yes. Little Worm. Trust me.)
Level 3-5 - Crayfish//West Ronfare - Knightwell//Clothespole, Little Worm
Level 5 - Moat Carps//Many many many places//Clothespole, Insect Ball
From here on out, it's just basic common sense. The skill level ranges seem a bit harsher than retail, but do-able. So no, I can now conclude fishing is NOT impossible...
...maybe just a bit more tedious than average though...
in his basement.
