How to get the fishing rod in Dave the Diver: In the Jungle

Key Takeaways

• The fishing rod is obtained by completing Basu's quest to catch a Piraiba Catfish
• The Piraiba Catfish spawns at 35-75 meters depth in the middle of the lake
• Once unlocked, fishing spots appear throughout the jungle and offer exclusive freshwater species

The fishing rod in Dave the Diver: In the Jungle requires defeating a Piraiba Catfish and delivering it to an NPC named Basu. This unlocks traditional rod-and-reel fishing across multiple pond locations in the DLC's freshwater environment. It's a shift from the main game's harpoon mechanics and opens up new species exclusive to these fishing spots.

After hundreds of hours spearfishing in the Blue Hole, Dave finally gets to sit down with a proper rod. The In the Jungle expansion introduces freshwater lake ecosystems and the village of Utara, bringing roughly 10 hours of new story content. The fishing rod is gated behind a specific quest, and missing the depth requirements for the Piraiba Catfish has tripped up plenty of players.

Where to find Basu and start the fishing rod quest

Basu lives east of Dave's cabin, right at the edge of the lake. He's usually standing outside his house or fishing off his dock. If you don't see him immediately, enter his house and walk out the back door overlooking the water.

Talk to Basu and ask about his favorite things. He'll mention the Piraiba Catfish and request that you serve it at your restaurant. He won't mention the fishing rod as a reward, but that's exactly what you get for completing this task.

How to catch the Piraiba Catfish

The Piraiba Catfish spawns in the lake at a specific depth range: 35 to 75 meters. Dive in and swim to the right, staying within that depth band. The fish typically appears around the middle of the lake.

You'll recognize the Piraiba Catfish by its dark gray body, white underbelly, and long whiskers. It's about three times larger than Dave. This fish fights back aggressively, so come prepared.

Combat tips for the Piraiba Catfish boss fight

The catfish is a tough opponent. Before diving, equip extra ammo in one hotbar slot and spare oxygen (your healing item) in the other. The fish will charge directly at Dave and attempt to swallow him.

• Circle the catfish while firing your sniper rifle at range
• Switch to your shotgun when it closes the distance
• Swim directly up or down when it charges to avoid its mouth
• If swallowed, you'll need to complete a quicktime event to escape its stomach

Once you've killed the catfish, either summon your salvage drone to collect it or use your knife to cut off some meat. Either works for completing the quest.

Unlocking the fishing rod and Basu's shop

Return to Basu and deliver the Piraiba Catfish. He'll hand over the fishing rod and open his shop, where you can purchase bait and rod upgrades. The upgrade path becomes important for catching harder fish later in the DLC.

With the rod in hand, fishing spots appear on your map marked with a rod icon. There's a pond west of the village by the waterfall near the shooting range, three ponds scattered across the jungle map, and you can fish directly off Basu's dock beside the lake.

What makes freshwater fishing different

Unlike the main game's harpoon and net mechanics, rod fishing introduces tension-management minigames. You'll need to balance reeling speed against line tension to land catches. The freshwater species you'll find at these spots don't appear anywhere else in the game, so completionists need the rod to fill out their fish encyclopedia.

Community feedback on Reddit and Steam has been largely positive. Players appreciate the change of pace, though several threads note the Piraiba Catfish quest can be "sneaky" if you're not diving at the correct depth. Once upgraded, the rod mechanics feel distinct and rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Basu located in Dave the Diver: In the Jungle?

Basu lives east of Dave's cabin at the edge of the lake. Check outside his house or on his dock overlooking the water.

What depth do I need to find the Piraiba Catfish?

The Piraiba Catfish spawns between 35 and 75 meters depth in the middle of the lake.

Can I use the fishing rod in the main Blue Hole area?

No, the fishing rod and its associated fishing spots are exclusive to the In the Jungle DLC's freshwater environments.

What items should I bring to fight the Piraiba Catfish?

Bring extra ammo and spare oxygen. Use a sniper rifle at range and shotgun up close while swimming vertically to dodge its charges.

How long is the In the Jungle DLC?

The DLC adds approximately 10 hours of new story content beyond the fishing mechanics.

Source: PCGamer latest