If you practice the Fishing skill, Fisher or Trapper in Stardew Valley is a decision you have to make. There are 10 levels for you to unlock in the fishing mini-game. But it’s only in levels 5 and 10 where you make decisions that fundamentally affect the early and late game.
Between the Fisher and Trapper, the Fisher offers better opportunities to maximize early and late games resources. You can make good profits while also boosting your museum collection. The Fisher profession makes fish worth 25% more than the normal price, but the Trapper reduces the cost of making Crab pots. Considering the specialization options, the Fisher profession offers much better value.
To level up in the fishing mini-game, you need to consistently work on your fishing skills. You increase your fishing skill by catching Fish, Seaweed, Trash, and White Algae or Green Algae. You can do this with a fishing rod, harvest Crab pots, or collect items from the fish pond.
Levels 1-4 don’t offer much in rewards and unlocks, but they are still good enough to keep you afloat.
Should I Become a Fisher or Trapper in Stardew Valley?
At level 5, you will have to decide whether to become a Fisher or Trapper in Stardew Valley. These two professions within the fishing mini-game take different fishing approaches and shape your professional path going forward. The Fisher is focused on ordinary fishing, while the Trapper is focused on Crab pots.
Fisher profession is clear on its rewards, but it takes some math and imagination to figure out what the Trapper offers. Nevertheless, it’s essential to think through this decision carefully if you wish to maximize resources for the early and late games.
Note that the profession you pick does not affect the rewards you will unlock from levels 6-9. These include:
Level 6: Spinner, Trap Bobber, Iridium Rod unlocked in Willy’s Fish shop.
Level 7: Cork Bobber, Treasure Hunter
Level 8: Worm Bin, Barbed Hook, and Dressed Spinner
Level 9: Seafoam Pudding and Magnet
Unlike the rewards unlocked in levels 1-4, these rewards are essential for your fishing game, especially for the Fisher. Iridium rod allows you to use both Bait and Tackle. Tackles like Cork Bobber, Dressed Spinner, Trap Bobber, Barbed Hook, and Treasure Hunter make your fishing more productive.
With an Iridium rod and a Tackle, you can catch fish that is difficult to catch or a rare fish like Legendary Fish. It is also easier to get a Perfect Catch with such equipment.
We look at these two Fishing professions in detail and what you can expect from each.
Stardew Valley Fisher Profession
As in any profession in Stardew Valley, you can choose the Fisher profession in level 5. If you decide to take this professional path, your fish will be worth 25% more. This seems decent already but let’s see what the specialization options offer.
Stardew Valley Fisher Specializations
The Fisher Profession has two specializations that you can choose from in level 10. These include Angler and Pirate. See the breakdown below.
Angler
When you unlock level 10, you can choose an Angler as your specialization. As an Angler, you get a 50% increase in the price of fish caught on a rod and in a Crab pot.
Unlike other mini-games, bonuses in the Fishing mini-game do not stack. Therefore, the 50% increase you get here will replace the 25% increase awarded when you chose the Fisher profession.
Even without the stacking, this is still a substantial bonus that would be difficult to beat. But let’s see what the other specialization option provides.
Pirate
If the Angler specialization doesn’t seem like it for you, you can consider the Pirate specialization at level 10. Put differently, if you are excited by the prospect of finding treasure when you fish, Pirate will work for you. As a Pirate, you will have twice the time to find treasure when fishing.
Also, note that you unlock Treasure Hunter in level 7, which can be helpful if you select the Pirate specialization. Treasure Hunter Tackle increases the chance to get a treasure chest by 5% (from 15% to 20%). Also, it prevents fish from escaping while collecting treasure chests.
Overall, I would still pick Angler, even though there is a powerful case for the Pirate.
Stardew Valley Trapper Profession
The Trapper profession is the alternative professional path for you if you don’t take the Fisher router. As mentioned earlier, the Trapper profession focuses more on using Crab pots.
As a Trapper, requirements to make Crab pots are reduced.
Note that you require 40 wood and 3 iron bars to make crab pots before the Trapper profession is unlocked. If you choose the Trapper specialization, this reduces significantly to just 25 wood and 2 copper bars.
Stardew Valley Trapper Specializations
The Trapper profession has two specializations in level 10, namely Mariner and Luremaster. You might prefer one over the other based on rewards and what your end game looks like.
Let’s go through the options to see the possible rewards.
Mariner
Crab pots tend to pull up junk quite often by their very nature. If you select the Mariner specialization in level 10, your Crab pots will never catch trash. How beneficial is that? It is assuring enough to know that Crab pots will only catch valuable stuff.
The Luremaster
If having to bait your Crab pots every time bothers you, consider Luremaster. If catching trash in your Crab pot is not something that worries you. As a Luremaster, your Crab pots will give you regular returns without Bait.
Problem solved! But there is a downside to eliminating trash. Junk can be turned into valuable items in a Recycling Machine.
Conclusion
Fishing is a refreshing mini-game in Stardew Valley. It is not the most practiced skill but players who level it find it immensely refreshing and rewarding.
Deciding between Fisher and Trapper is not easy. But looking at the rewards and how they align with your overall gameplay will help determine your professional path.
The Fisher/Angler profession has the potential to make a profit in the early and late game. And it’s challenging to see how the Crab pot bonuses can match that. But those who don’t want to do the actual fishing will find the Trapper professions ideal.
Most players agree that the Angler is better for profit maximization. But if the goal is to have some fun, the Pirate specialization carries the day.