How do I make a fish finder in Terraria?

To craft a Fish Finder in Terraria, you need to combine three specific accessories: the Weather Radio, the Sextant, and the Fisherman's Pocket Guide. Each of these accessories is obtained by completing fishing quests for the Angler NPC, who can be found near the ocean biome. The Fish Finder is a useful tool for players who enjoy fishing, as it provides information about the current weather, moon phase, and fishing power, helping you optimize your fishing efforts.

First, let's break down the mechanics of obtaining each component. The Weather Radio, Sextant, and Fisherman's Pocket Guide are all quest rewards from the Angler. The Angler gives you a fishing quest each in-game day, and completing these quests has a chance to reward you with one of these items. The drop rates for these items are not guaranteed, so you may need to complete multiple quests to obtain all three. The Weather Radio provides information about the current weather, the Sextant tells you the moon phase, and the Fisherman's Pocket Guide displays your current fishing power.

To start, you need to locate the Angler NPC. He is usually found sleeping near the ocean biome. Once you wake him up, he will move into a suitable house if you have one available. After he is settled, you can talk to him each day to receive a fishing quest. These quests require you to catch a specific fish in a specific biome and bring it back to him. The fish required for each quest is random, so you may need to fish in different biomes like the forest, jungle, desert, or underground.

When preparing for fishing quests, it's important to have a good fishing setup. This includes a high-quality fishing rod, bait, and accessories that increase your fishing power. The best fishing rods include the Sitting Duck's Fishing Pole, Golden Fishing Rod, and Hotline Fishing Hook, which are obtained through fishing quests or special events. Bait can be gathered by catching critters like worms, grasshoppers, and fireflies using a bug net. The best bait is the Master Bait, which has a high bait power and is obtained from fishing crates or as a quest reward.

Accessories like the Angler Earring, Tackle Box, and High Test Fishing Line can increase your fishing power and reduce the chance of losing bait or breaking your line. These accessories are also obtained through fishing quests. Additionally, using fishing potions, sonar potions, and crate potions can make fishing more efficient. Fishing potions increase your fishing power, sonar potions show what fish are on your line, and crate potions increase the chance of catching crates, which contain valuable resources.

Once you have obtained the Weather Radio, Sextant, and Fisherman's Pocket Guide, you can combine them at a Tinkerer's Workshop to create the Fish Finder. The Tinkerer's Workshop is purchased from the Goblin Tinkerer NPC, who can be found in the cavern layer after defeating the Goblin Army. The Fish Finder is a versatile accessory that provides all the information from its components, making it easier to plan your fishing trips based on the current conditions.

A common mistake players make is not preparing adequately for fishing quests. Without a good fishing rod, bait, and accessories, completing quests can be time-consuming and frustrating. It's also important to note that the Angler's quests are daily, so you can only complete one per in-game day. This means it may take several real-world days to obtain all three components for the Fish Finder. Patience and persistence are key.

Advanced techniques for optimizing your fishing include creating artificial biomes near your base. This allows you to fish in multiple biomes without traveling far. For example, you can create a small jungle pool or a desert lake near your house. Using biome-specific blocks and walls, you can trick the game into recognizing these areas as valid biomes for fishing. This saves time and makes it easier to complete quests.

In terms of resource requirements, you will need a steady supply of bait and fishing potions. Farming bait can be done by creating a small area with grass and flowers, where critters like worms and grasshoppers spawn frequently. Using a bug net, you can catch these critters and turn them into bait. Fishing potions require waterleaf, which grows in the desert during rain, and blinkroot, which grows underground. These can be farmed by planting their seeds in clay pots or planter boxes.

Class and equipment considerations are minimal for fishing, as it is a non-combat activity. However, having mobility accessories like wings or a mount can help you travel to different biomes quickly. If you are playing in hardmode, having a good set of armor and weapons is important for defending yourself against enemies while fishing in dangerous areas like the Corruption or Crimson.

In summary, crafting a Fish Finder in Terraria involves completing fishing quests for the Angler NPC to obtain the Weather Radio, Sextant, and Fisherman's Pocket Guide. These items are combined at a Tinkerer's Workshop to create the Fish Finder. Preparing a good fishing setup with a high-quality rod, bait, and accessories is crucial for completing quests efficiently. Creating artificial biomes and farming bait and potions can optimize your fishing efforts. Patience and persistence are key, as obtaining all three components may take time. With the Fish Finder, you can easily monitor fishing conditions and improve your fishing success.