How to Start Fishing and Find Reel in Star Ocean The Second Story R 

Fishing is possible in Star Ocean The Second Story R now, with the NPC Reel offering different rewards for doing so. Fortunately, learning the skill and finding the person can happen really early in the adventure.

How do I start fishing in Star Ocean The Second Story R?

Well, first you need to learn how. The ability to learn IC/Specialties doesn’t unlock until Rena and Claude get to Krosse Castle, speak with the king to get approval to investigate the Sorcery Globe, then meet Celine out in the square. From there, you need to head to the Improve menu, select IC/Specialty Skills, and teach someone the Biology and Item Knowledge. You automatically pick up the Specialty when both are at least level 1, and you get to be more proficient when you level them up.

From there, head into the main IC/Specialty settings, then tab over to Specialty. Select Fishing. There, you need to turn fishing settings “on.” When you do, you can also have the option of setting bait. You don’t need bait to actually fish, but things like other fish can be used to try and increase odds.

Once you have fishing turned on, any time you approach water in the overworld or in a dungeon/town, you may see an fishing pole icon pop up. This means you can fish here. Your character casts, and you need to wait and press the action button when you see the double exclamation point icon over their head. 

What’s appreciated is if it is a “special” and “rare” catch, the screen will darken and get ominous immediately after your cast. There’s increased odds of this happening if you see gigantic shadows in the water. If this happens, just tap the action button once when the double exclamation points appear as usual to catch it.

Where is Reel in Star Ocean The Second Story R?

You can start earning rewards for catching X number of fish species from fishing and trade fish to Reel for special items in the game. However, this doesn’t happen right away. On the Krosse continent in Expel, you can run into the character after getting to Krosse and helping Celine with her sidequest. 

On your way to Kurik, take a detour to the far eastern port city on the continent. It’s just past Marze. There will be a star icon on the map near the restaurant. Head there, and an event will automatically trigger that introduces Reel in Star Ocean The Second Story R if you already learned how to fish. After the conversation, you can report on fish you’ve caught and trade them for items.

What rewards can I earn from fishing in Star Ocean The Second Story R?

There are two types of tiers! One is the general rewards list, which is more of a passive bonus. As long as you catch different types, you eventually unlock them. The other options are earned by trading in specific fish from certain types or sizes.

So in the trading section, you get the following items:

• Seafood – 1 of any kind of fish.
• Life in Nature Biology skill guidebook – three fish,  which must be a Castle Gate Carp, Krosse Carp, and/or Oliph Carp.
• Pocket Encyclopedia Item Knowledge skill guidebook – three fish, which must be an Imp Mackerel, Jailor Mackerel, and/or Pixie Mackerel.
• Fishy Fragrance item that increases fish rate when fishing – 1 “large” type fish.
• Traveling Salmon – 3 “small” type fish.
• Lord Amberjack – 2 “medium” type fish.
• Treasure Card to double item drops after battle – 10 fish, which must be a Blue Ghoul, Ogre Mouth Bass, and/or Whelp Mouth Bass.
• Wealth Card to double fol earned after battle – 10 fish, which must be a Black Knight Dab, Desert Dab, and/or King Dab.
• Experience Card to double EXP after battle – 10 fish, which must be a Harley Marlin, Hilton Marlin, and/or Lacuer Marlin.
• Shield Ring – 10 fish, which must be a Color Tuna, Junior Tuna, and/or Silverpatch Tuna.
• Ring of Resistance – 10 fish, which must be a Krosse Eel, Quiver Amago, and/or White Sands Viper.
• Sacrificial Doll – 10 fish, which must be a Black Carla, Coach Shrimp, and/or Crest Shrimp.
• Goodie Box – 3 fish, which must be a Amber Perch, Rabbit Sunfish, and/or Star Ruby Eye.
• Top-Quality Tuna – 12 “large” type fish.
• Edge Jewel to unlock Star Ocean: The Last Hope’s Edge as an assault member – 1 fish, which must be a Divine Char, Harbor Amago, or Spring Child.

In the rewards section, here’s what you’ll gradually earn as you keep fishing and collect all the different species.

• 5 Types Caught – Experience Card
• 10 Types Caught – Fishy Fragrance
• 15 Types Caught – Masterwork Rod
• 22 Types Caught – Star Ocean: The Divine Force Raymond Jewel
• 35 Types Caught – Soul Jacket+
• 48 Types Caught – Soul Helmet+
• 60 Types Caught – Ring of the Deep King+
• 66 Types Caught – Volticry+

Star Ocean The Second Story R is on the Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC. The game can also immediately be found on the PlayStation and PSP worldwide and the PS3, PS4, and Vita in Japan.