Dive into the ‘Tides of Terraria’ update of Palworld with this fishing and salvaging guide. Learn the trades of unlocking the most important gear, catching rare Pals, and salvaging loot from the open waters. Whether for passives or crafting materials such as Coralum, schematics, or anything else, you will be well-prepared to fish and loot like a pro.
Why Fishing and Salvaging Matter
The Terraria crossover introduces fishing as a brand-new feature to catch water-based Pals. What makes them special is that you can target certain passives or rarities depending on fish appearance. Then Salvaging will enable you to pick up high-value loot from the floating debris in the open waters.
Together, these mechanics open up a great way to farm materials like Coralum, training manuals, schematics, and even a Pal Reverser, an item that changes a Pal’s gender.
Unlocking the Required Gear
To begin fishing and salvaging, you’ll need to unlock and craft the following gear through the Technology Page:
| GEAR | UNLOCK LEVEL | PURPOSE |
| Basic Fishing Set | Level 15 | Entry-level fishing |
| Intermediate Fishing Rod (Cattiva) | Level 29 | Boasts improved performance and makes catching Pals easier |
| Advanced Fishing Rod (Pengullet) | Level 45 | Best option for rare catches |
| Powerful Fishing Magnet | Level 61 | Required for salvaging purchases |
You’ll also need bait, such as Alluring Bait, which increases your chances of catching better Pals. Once blueprints are unlocked, head to an Assembly Line and craft them using resources like High Quality Pal Oil, Pal Metal Ingot, Cavern Mushrooms, Carbon Fiber, Carrot, Hexalite, etc.
Only the fishing rod needs to be equipped; bait and magnets can stay in your inventory.
Note: 1 Hexalite can give you 10 Powerful Fishing Magnets
Best Pal for Salvaging
To salvage successfully, you’ll need a Pal that can swim. Neptilius , a new legendary water Pal, is currently the best option due to its speed and versatility. It’s not essential, but it makes the process far smoother. You can even spot salvage while flying, then switch to your water Pal when you’re ready to dive in.
How Fishing Works
Once your rod is equipped and you’ve found a body of water, look for fish shadows or sparkles under the surface. Aim your cast toward the target, then press the action button when the exclamation marks appear. A short mini-game begins where you must keep the marker within the central bar to fill a capture circle. Once full, the Pal is caught.
Fishing can also reward you with bonus items, such as schematics, Coralum, and training manuals.
Understanding Fish Sparkles
Not all fish are created equal. You can identify what kind of Pal you’ll catch based on their glow in the water:
- No sparkle = Common Pal, no passives
- Violet sparkle with no glow on top = Alpha Pal, no passives
- Violet sparkle + glow = Alpha Pal with rainbow passive (possibility of getting a Lunker passive)
- Green sparkle = Regular Pal with rainbow passive
If you’re targeting passives like Lunker or rare alphas, prioritize violet sparkles with a glinting shine.
How Salvaging Works
With magnets crafted and a swimming Pal ready, head into the water. You’ll see junk piles floating on the surface. Interact with them to begin a simple timing mini-game—stop the slider in the highlighted zone to succeed.
If you miss, don’t worry—the magnet won’t be consumed, and you can try again. Successful salvage include rewards like:
- Coralum Ore
- Giant Pal Soul
- Training Manual
- Dog Coin
- Ultimate Sphere
These floating junk piles are easy to spot, especially while flying over the sea or island edges.
Final Thoughts
Fishing and salvaging introduce an exciting new dimension to Palworld’s gameplay. These mechanics not only let you target specific Pals and desirable passives but also provide a reliable way to gather rare loot and crafting resources. With straightforward systems, clear visual indicators, and worthwhile rewards, they’re engaging and effective for long-term progression.
As the update is still new, more hidden rewards and passives may emerge with time. But for now, this guide equips you with all the essentials to jump in and start reeling in top-tier finds.
