Fishing (The Sims 4)

Fishing is a skill in The Sims 4 that comes with a collection of fish to catch. The higher the fishing skill, the better are the chances to catch more types of fish, that can also be used as free ingredients in cooking, or as fertilizers in gardening. Raising this skill is also the main objective of the Angling Ace aspiration.

Learning
The fishing skill is built by fishing from various fishing spots, that are located throughout the neighborhoods. Sims will begin at level one, learning the abilities to catch fish, mount fish, and putting them in fish bowls. As they progress, they can catch other various types of fish, which are more rarer and much more valuable, making the skill a good way to gain Simoleons. Sims with the loves outdoors trait can be good at raising their fishing skill, as they tend to be happy outdoors, raising their fishing slightly faster. Sims can also read fishing skill books to raise their fishing skill. Sims build this skill best when they are focused.

Fishing spots
Fishing spots can be found in two forms: as a fishing sign and as a small pond. Fishing signs are found near lakes, oceans and rivers, while fishing ponds are usually found in community lots, such as parks and are not accessible on normal lots. However, both of them can be bought in build mode by using the  cheat. By using this cheat, both objects can be used normally in all types of lots, though the fishing sign will have a graphical glitch if used on land.

Some fishing spots yield a better chance of obtaining rare objects, plants, or fish. For instance, Sims can acquire rare fish from Sylvan Glade and Forgotten Grotto; and a fishing spot north of Desert Bloom Park yields a greater chance of finding a cowplant berry or a voodoo doll. Some fishing spots can also be too difficult for low-leveled fishers, as fish can be too hard to catch in those areas.

Uses of fish
After a Sim has caught a fish, they can sell them for an amount Simoleons based on its quality. The rarer the fish, the higher value it has. Alternatively, fish can be mounted on walls as decoration. They produce a confident aura of varying strengths, depending on the type of fish. Sims can also put fish into fishing bowls and aquariums, where they will act as decoration. They can be named, but cannot be fed and will never die. Fish can be used as fresh ingredients in cooking and will boost the quality of the food. They can be used as fertilizers in gardening as well, boosting the overall quality of the plant.

Fish will spoil within 24 hours, depending on its quality; however, they will not lose any of their value. The freshness levels for fish are great, average, poor and foul. The freshness can be prolonged by putting the fish in fish bowls, aquariums, or inside refrigerators.

Using baits
At level three, Sims can use different types of baits to gain a better rate of catching rare fish. Certain fish will only appear if a matching bait is used. At level five, Sims gain the "Examine Water" interaction. This can be done in fishing spots and allows Sims to get an idea of what types of baits to use in order to catch rare fish. The interaction can only be done once per hour, and is the most successful if the Sim focused.

There are three types of baits: plants, frogs, and medium-sized fish. Sims can get these baits from harvesting plants, collecting frogs logs, ponds, or through breeding them, and by using already caught medium-sized fish. After gaining a bait, Sims can use it in fishing spots to find out what types of fish will eat it. If a fish has been successfully caught with a bait, the bait and the type of fish that will eat it will be stored in the Sim's notebook in their phone. It is suggested to have good amount of baits, as they will be used up pretty quickly.

Reward
After collecting all of the base game fish, the player will complete the fish collection and receives the "The Right Angler" award, which is a plaque that can be hung on a wall.