Gone Fishin’ for Glory: How to Snag “The Catch” Polearm in Genshin Impact (and Why You Should Bother)
You’ve heard of a legendary polearm, the acclaimed catch in Genshin Impact. “The Catch” is a 4-star polearm. It is free and obtainable from the waters of Genshin. Fishing continues in Genshin Impact. Hoyoverse won’t remove water from Teyvat. That would be extreme.
Is “The Catch” here permanently? As the phrase goes, nothing stays the same except change and taxes in Teyvat. Luckily, “The Catch” is a permanent feature. It links to the fishing system from Version 2.1. So, you don’t have to rush like a Hilichurl. But why wait for something so empowering?
Before you dream of arming your squad with fishing rods, let’s clarify: you can only obtain “The Catch” once. Yes, one per customer. Think of it as a limited exclusive for fish trading.
Reel It In: Obtaining “The Catch” Through Fishy Business
Forget visiting shops or wishing on banners. To get “The Catch,” you must barter. Specifically, you’ll trade fish. This weapon won’t sit idly at any merchant’s stall. Instead, trade catches with a representative from the Inazuma Fishing Association. Meet Kujirai Momiji near Inazuma City.
To claim your polearm, present Momiji with a selection of aquatic creatures. Consider it an exchange, Inazuma style. Here’s your shopping list for “The Catch”:
- Raimei Angelfish: ×6
- Golden Koi: ×20
- Rusty Koi: ×20
Forty-six fish stand between you and polearm glory. Think of the adventure. The thrill of fishing! Reeling isn’t always exhilarating. Yet, the trade-off is definitely rewarding.
Gearing Up for the Fishing Expedition: Prerequisites
Before you cast your line and aim to become the fishing master of Teyvat, a few steps are necessary. They aren’t too difficult unless you deem raising your Adventure Rank to 28 strenuous. Just kidding… sort of.
The first milestone is demonstrating you’re an experienced adventurer. Adventure Rank 28 is your fishing license application. Make sure you reach it.
Next, you need a personal pocket realm – the Serenitea Pot. This is your angler’s haven. If you lack this customizable space, you’re missing out! Polygon has a great guide for Serenitea Pot to help with your decor endeavors.
Once your personal realm is set up, tackle the quest “Exploding Population.” This quest introduces you to Genshin fishing. Complete it, and you’ll catch fish like a professional.
Lastly, as Kujirai Momiji waits in Inazuma City, you need access to Inazuma. If you’re still around Mondstadt wondering about Liyue, prepare for a long journey to acquire “The Catch.” The trip holds its charm, especially with electro seelies along the way.
Gone Fishin’: Mastering the Mechanics
You completed the prerequisites? Awesome! Now let’s explore fishing mechanics in Genshin Impact. Unlocking fishing is a two-step process: Serenitea Pot? Check. “Exploding Population” quest? Check. You’re officially a Genshin angler now!
Finding a fishing spot is easy. Just look for ripples in the water. They aren’t discreet. Bubbling surfaces and visible fish are your signs. Nature signals, “Fish are here! Come catch them!”
Feeling lonely while fishing? Join a friend’s world for some social fishing. When you join, cast your lines in their domain. You can fish in the same locations and catch the same species together. But remember your fishing manners: ask the host for permission before collecting their fish. It’s like not using all the teapot realm currency.
Now for bait! Nobody catches fish without one (unless you’re Hydro). Bait lures your fish and you can find it in two ways. First, buy bait recipes from Nantuck, the Mondstadt Fishing Association guy. He’s your bait vendor. Alternatively, craft bait at a crafting table. For “The Catch,” use Fake Fly Bait and False Worm Bait.
Fake Fly Bait works well for Rusty and Golden Koi. To create it, gather Horse Tail from Bubu Pharmacy in Liyue and Sakura Bloom found in Inazuma. You can snag the “Formula: Fake Fly Bait” from Nantuck in Mondstadt.
For the Raimei Angelfish, use False Worm Bait(often called Electro bait). You’ll need Slime Condensate (from Slimes) and more Sakura Bloom. This versatile plant indeed comes in handy.
Patience is key! Fish in Genshin don’t reappear instantly. Fishing spots have a respawn time of 72 hours (3 real-life days). Yes, those are Earth days, not game days. After clearing a spot, wait for three days until the fishes return. Unfortunately, you can’t use Primogems to speed this up.
One last timing tidbit: some fish are nocturnal, others diurnal, and some have odd schedules. Some fish only spawn during the day (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.), while others show up at night (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.). So, check your fishing times. Otherwise, prepare for a boot or worse—no fish.
Raimei Angelfish: The Elusive Prize
The Raimei Angelfish, the diva of the aquatic world, demands attention. You need six for “The Catch.” This fish is meticulous about spawn times and places.
Use False Worm Bait(Electro bait) to lure these radiant beauties. Yet bait alone isn’t sufficient. Raimei Angelfish spawn at one fishing location near Tatarasuna and appear only between 18:00 and 6:00 server time (night). Plus, only a few spawn per world.
This shimmering prize isn’t just for “The Catch.” Use them to buy refinement materials from the Inazuma Fishing Association too, making them highly valuable. Catching Raimei Angelfish often feels challenging, requiring patience and perfect timing. But a powerful polearm awaits as well as bragging rights!
Golden Koi and Rusty Koi: The Colorful Companions
The Golden Koi and Rusty Koi are the next twins in the Koi family. You need 20 of each to complete “The Catch”. These fish are more common than Angelfish. They are not as picky and are easier to find.
Fake Fly Bait is what they like best. They have some taste. Golden Koi can be seen sparkling in various locations across Teyvat. Their respawn time is three days. When you’re fishing in a busy spot, check multiple areas to gather what you need.
Rusty Koi prefer simpler places. Game Rant has a helpful guide on catching Rusty Koi, mentioning the waterway west of Wangshu Inn. Look for a small wooden walkway and shack. Bring your Fake Fly Bait; both types like artificial flies.
Refining “The Catch” to R5: Maxing Out Your Rod
Refinements act as upgrades for the weapon. Each refinement level increases the passive skill’s values. The base ATK or secondary stat doesn’t change. The special effect enhances performance greatly. R5’s effect is double that of R1.
To refine “The Catch,” you’ll require special materials, obtained by trading fish at the Inazuma Fishing Association. Catch more Raimei Angelfish, Pufferfish, and Bitter Pufferfish. Your journey doesn’t end. It’s a start for your refinement task. Co-op fishing will help speed it up. Work together to conquer those fishing areas!
Time is of the Essence (or Lack Thereof): Can You Get “The Catch” in One Day?
The main question is: can you catch “The Catch” in one day? Technically yes, but there’s a big catch. Due to the 72-hour fish respawn timer, gathering all required fish in your own world in one day is impossible. Unless you have a time-bending device from Khaenri’ah, please share it!
However, the key word is co-op. If you enter other players’ worlds, you can avoid the respawn timer. Each world has its own fishing spots and fish. With enough teamwork, you can gather necessary fish in one day by hopping worlds.
Just remember fishing manners: ask before using their spots, don’t be greedy, and maybe lend a hand with domains or weekly bosses in return for their help. Sharing is key, especially when it involves free polearms.
“The Catch” Polearm: Stats, Synergies, and Why It’s Worth the Effort
Here are the main points about “The Catch”:
- Cost: Zero Mora. It’s priceless… or rather, fish-priced. Specifically, 6 Raimei Angelfish, 20 Golden Koi, and 20 Rusty Koi.
- Where to “buy”: Kujirai Momiji in Inazuma City. Not a shop but a fish-for-weapon exchange.
- Is it good? Yes! “The Catch” shines with Xiangling. Its Energy Recharge helps keep her Elemental Burst, Pyronado, active. Its passive ability also enhances Elemental Burst damage and Crit Rate, resulting in a perfect synergy. HoYoLAB offers a detailed weapon guide for more.
Claiming “The Catch” is easy. Just trade your hard-earned fish to Kujirai Momiji. She will reward you with the polearm, getting you closer to mastery.
Unlock, Fish, Profit: Your “The Catch” Acquisition Checklist
This checklist guides you on your quest for “The Catch”:
- Unlock the Fishing Mechanic:
- Reach Adventure Rank 28.
- Unlock the Serenitea Pot.
- Complete the “Exploding Population” World Quest.
- Find Kujirai Momiji: Go to Inazuma City and find the Inazuma Fishing Association.
- Gather Required Fish:
- 6 Raimei Angelfish (False Worm Bait at night).
- 20 Golden Koi (Fake Fly Bait anywhere both day and night).
- 20 Rusty Koi (Fake Fly Bait in certain areas at all times).
- Obtain “The Catch”: Trade the fish with Kujirai Momiji for your polearm!
This is your guide for acquiring “The Catch.” Grab your fishing rod (figuratively) and become a legendary angler in Teyvat. “The Catch” awaits your skill!
