You’ve cleared out the Seed family. The cultist outposts are burning. Hope County is, theoretically, free. But then you look at that chalkboard in the back of a dusty bar and realize you aren't actually done. Not even close. If you’re anything like me, those far cry 5 fish records represent the most frustrating, relaxing, and weirdly competitive part of the entire game. It’s not about the shooting. It’s about the weight.
Fishing in Far Cry 5 isn't just a side activity; it’s a full-blown obsession for anyone trying to unlock the "Old Betsy" fishing rod or that elusive "Hope County Master Angler" achievement. Most people think you just find a spot, throw a line, and pray. They're wrong. Honestly, the system is surprisingly deep once you stop looking at it as a mini-game and start treating it like a technical challenge.
The Chalkboard Struggle: How the Records Actually Work
Every region in Hope County has its own set of records. You’ll find these posted on physical chalkboards inside the main hubs: Fall’s End in Holland Valley, the Wolf’s Den in the Whitetail Mountains, and Hopeard’s Marina in Henbane River. You can’t just catch any fish. It has to be a "Hard" variant from a specific location to even stand a chance of breaking the record.
If you haven't checked the boards yet, you're flying blind. You have to beat a specific weight for each species. For example, in Holland Valley, you’re chasing a 21-pound Pallid Sturgeon and a 10-pound Paddlefish Sturgeon. It sounds simple until you’re ten minutes into a fight with a fish that refuses to tire out, your line is turning a terrifying shade of dark red, and your reel is screaming.
Most players make the mistake of using the basic rod. Don't do that. You’re just asking for a snapped line. You need to unlock the better gear by completing the fishing quests for Skylar or beating the records in specific regions. It’s a progression loop that most people ignore until they realize they can't catch the heavier trout without the Wonderker rod.
Finding the Hard Spots for Far Cry 5 Fish Records
The map doesn't just hand you these records. You have to find the "Hard" fishing spots, which are usually tucked away in the corners of the map where the cultists are less likely to shoot at you while you’re holding a rod.
The Holland Valley Records
In John’s region, it’s all about the sturgeon. You’re looking for the Pallid Sturgeon and the Paddlefish. The Pallid Sturgeon record is 21 lbs. The Paddlefish is 11 lbs. If you go to a standard fishing spot, you'll catch plenty of fish, but they'll all be underweight. Look for the icons on your map that explicitly say "Hard." If they don't say hard, you're wasting your bait.
The Whitetail Mountains Records
Jacob’s region is trout country. This is where things get technical. You need the Golden Trout (4 lbs), the Lake Trout (37 lbs), and the Chinook Salmon (27 lbs). The Lake Trout is the real beast here. It pulls like a freight train. You have to be patient. If you try to manhandle a 37-pounder, you're going to lose your lure.
The Henbane River Records
Faith’s region is a bit more varied. You’ve got the Smallmouth Bass (6 lbs), the Largemouth Bass (8 lbs), and the Rock Bass (3 lbs). Then there’s the Salmon. The Kokanee Salmon record is 6 lbs, and the Arctic Grayling is 3 lbs. The water here is murky, and the Bliss makes everything look a bit weird, but the fish are there.
Why Your Line Keeps Snapping
Let’s talk about the mechanics because the game doesn't explain this well. When the line turns red, stop reeling. It sounds obvious. But people get greedy. They see the fish getting close to the shore and they think they can just power through.
You can't.
You have to move the rod in the opposite direction the fish is swimming. If the fish goes left, you pull right. If it dives, you pull up. It’s a dance. If you’re using a controller, the haptic feedback is your best friend. You can feel the tension before the visual cues even show up.
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Also, the "Fisherman" perk isn't optional if you're serious about far cry 5 fish records. It makes the fish tire out faster and, more importantly, unlocks new flies in the utility wheel. Using the right fly for the right fish is the difference between waiting twenty minutes for a bite and getting one instantly.
The Secret to the "Hard" Variants
There is a bit of a trick to finding the heaviest fish. It's not just about the location; it's about the "Active" state of the water. If you see fish jumping out of the water, that's a good sign. But even then, the RNG (random number generation) can be cruel.
I’ve spent hours at the Lake Trout spot near the Grand View Hotel only to catch 35-pounders over and over when I needed a 37. It’s frustrating. But that’s the hunt. Some players swear by moving your lure slightly after it hits the water to "attract" the bigger spawns, though the community is still split on whether that actually changes the weight or just the bite rate.
Realism vs. Gameplay
Ubisoft actually did a decent job with the weights. A 37-pound Lake Trout is a monster, but it's grounded in reality. The world record for a Lake Trout is actually over 70 pounds, so 37 is a "trophy" but not impossible. The Arctic Grayling record in-game is 3 lbs; in the real world, they rarely get much bigger than 4 or 5 lbs. It’s nice to see a game not just making up numbers for the sake of it.
The locations are also somewhat geographically accurate to Montana. You’ll find trout in the cold, fast-moving mountain streams and bass in the warmer, stagnant parts of the river. It adds a layer of immersion that makes the grind for records feel less like a chore and more like a scouting trip.
The Reward: Is Old Betsy Worth It?
Once you beat all the records in all three regions, you get the Fourth Rod: Old Betsy. It’s a fiberglass masterpiece. It has the best handling and the strongest line in the game.
Is it worth it?
If you just want to finish the story, no. But if you want to be the undisputed king of Hope County, absolutely. There’s a certain satisfaction in standing on the edge of a pier, knowing you’ve conquered every underwater beast the game has to throw at you. Plus, the rod looks cool.
Actionable Steps for Record Hunters
Stop aimlessly casting. If you want to clear these records quickly, follow this specific order of operations:
- Unlock the Fisherman Perk: Do this first. Don't even try for records without it. The stamina boost for your line is mandatory.
- Get the Naturalist Rod: Complete Skylar’s first two missions ("Tools of the Trade" and "Gone Fishin'"). This rod is better than the basic one you buy at shops.
- Target the "Hard" Spots: Open your map and zoom in. Look for the fish icons with the word "Hard" in the description. If you don't see them, you need to find fishing magazines scattered in trailers and outposts to reveal them.
- Check the Chalkboards Regularly: Take a screenshot of the chalkboards in Fall’s End, the Wolf’s Den, and the Marina. You need to know the exact weight you're trying to beat. The game doesn't track this in your HUD.
- Use the Right Fly: For sturgeon, use the Salmon Egg fly. For bass, use the Bass Bug. It sounds like common sense, but using the "Basic" fly is a recipe for catching small fry.
- Tire Them Out: When the fish jumps, stop reeling entirely. This is usually when the line snaps. Just hold the rod and wait for them to splash back down.
The journey to beating the far cry 5 fish records is arguably more peaceful than the rest of the game combined. It's just you, the water, and the occasional bear that tries to maul you while you’re mid-cast. Take your time. The records aren't going anywhere, and the satisfaction of seeing that "New Record" pop up on your screen is one of the best feelings in the game.