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To beat the Pufferfish in How to Fish, first complete the Desert NPC’s endangered-creature request to earn Carrot bait. Equip it when you are ready, then use ranged damage while circling through a wide, open route. After the fight, keep the boss drop and return it to the Desert NPC to advance.
Before you start the Pufferfish fight
- Complete the Desert NPC’s request. Speak to the NPC and bring the creature currently marked as endangered. Guides name Needlefish and Seahorse as possible choices, but do not agree on a fixed species list; follow the request shown in your game instead. PC Gamer’s guide and How to Fish Game Help describe this quest step.
- Keep the Carrot bait reward. Equip it when you are prepared to start the encounter; the guides describe it as the bait needed to trigger the boss.
- Prepare ranged damage and ammunition. PC Gamer recommends an upgraded SMG, while other guide advice is less specific and calls for dependable ranged damage. Treat the SMG as a recommendation, not a confirmed requirement.
- Choose room to move. Find a broad loop with space to change direction. Shoreline, trees, or buildings can interfere with your route or the Pufferfish’s approach, so avoid letting terrain trap you.
How to survive and deal damage
Keep moving as you fire
Circle around the arena and shoot when you have a safe opening. The guides repeatedly caution against standing still for long bursts: firing while moving makes it easier to avoid the boss and reposition if its approach changes. Use a wide route rather than tight circles that could leave you boxed in.
Use obstacles without relying on them
Terrain may interrupt or lengthen the Pufferfish’s direct approach, but do not assume it will get stuck. Keep enough distance to respond and leave room to turn away from shoreline, trees, or buildings.
Adjust if purple poison appears
One guide reports a later phase involving purple poison. If you encounter it, widen your loop and stay on clear ground instead of cutting across the hazard. The exact phase behavior and weapon effectiveness are guide-reported, not guaranteed requirements.
#1 Best Overall
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After defeating the Pufferfish
Collect the distinctive boss drop and keep it until you have completed the hand-in. Guides use different labels for this item, including a fin or trophy, so identify it by the item presented in your current game rather than relying on one guide’s name. Return it to the Desert NPC; one guide says the hand-in reveals the coordinates for Rocks Island. The Pufferfish is described as the Desert Island progression boss, and this NPC exchange is the step that advances you onward.
Difficulty and patch details
A third-party guide, How to Fish Game Help, reports that Patch 1.0.9 added Easy and Hard settings, with Easy reducing creature health by 25% and damage by 50%. These figures have not been verified against official patch notes, so check the difficulty options in your current game rather than treating the numbers as confirmed. Another guide says Patch 1.0.4 nerfed the Pufferfish; older descriptions of its difficulty, health, or damage may therefore be stale. No official developer or Steam patch-note page was identified for these claims.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Wide Compatibility for Nintendo Switch】This high-quality fishing rod handle is designed for Nintendo Switch 2 joycon. In addition, equipped with 2 extension supports to install NS or OLED joycon. Enjoy seamless gameplay across all generations.
- 【Secure Grip with Anti-Slip Design】There are anti-slip rubber pads inside the grip slot, which can not only protect your joycon from being worn out but also prevent it from slipping out during gameplay. Includes two white rubber bands to tightly lock your joycon in place. Wave the fishing rod controller vigorously without worrying about slippage—perfect for intense gaming sessions!
- 【Immersive Sound Effects for Realistic Feel】Hear subtle "clicking" sounds when rotating the rod, mimicking real fishing gear. These audio cues elevate your Switch 2 fishing games, making every catch more thrilling.
- 【Ergonomic Design for Comfortable Play】The sleek black grip fits naturally in hands, reducing fatigue during long gameplay. Whether you're a casual player or a fishing game enthusiast, it ensures effortless control.
- 【Perfect for Multiplayer Fun & Parties】Most Switch fishing games support multiplayer mode! Share this fishing rod controller grip with friends/family for lively competitions and unforgettable bonding moments.
Rank #3
- This fishing game accessories rod is perfectly designed for Nintendo Switch 2/Nintendo Switch/Switch OLED. It enables players to attach a plastic fishing rod to Joy - Con. Compatible with all fishing games such as Bass Pro Shops: The Strike - Championship Edition, Fishing Star World Tour and Reel Fishing: Road Trip Adventure, it offers an amazing experience
- When reeling in, the rotating reel can produce a sound that simulates the actual sound of reeling in a fish. It brings a more realistic electronic sports fishing game experience for players. The true 360° rotating spool has a tactile feedback mechanism, which imitates the resistance of a real fishing rod
- Great for family gatherings or parties. This Nintendo Switch accessories kit is perfect for group entertainment. The game supports up to 4 players. It is recommended to purchase 4 fishing kits so that you can enjoy and share the fun with friends or family. It also makes a great gift for kids
- Players can customize their gear by selecting lures, turns and reels. This fishing rod accessory for Switch 2 is easy to use and can help players reach new heights by winning competitions. It provides an immersive experience, allowing players to fully enjoy the excitement and fun of electronic sports fishing games
- Installation is a breeze with our easy - to - use Nintendo Switch fishing rod. Thanks to the ergonomic handle and secure Joycon slot, you can set it up quickly and dive into seamless gaming fun. Crafted from high - quality materials, it ensures durability and provides a firm grip for an immersive experience
Rank #2
- Product Type – Physical Holder: This product is a physical fishing rod style Joy-Con holder and grip accessory, designed only to change how the controller is held during gameplay; it does not add functions, signals, or controls to the Joy-Con itself.
- Controller Compatibility: Compatible only with original Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons and NOT compatible with Switch 2 Joy-Cons or other redesigned controller models due to physical size and structure differences.
- Game Dependency: Game compatibility depends entirely on the game’s own motion or gyro support; this holder does not enable motion control and cannot make unsupported fishing games work.
- Usage Experience: Lightweight rod-style design provides a more natural and comfortable way to hold Joy-Cons during supported gameplay, enhancing immersion through physical casting and reeling motions.
- What’s Included: Package includes 1 fishing rod grip holder only (Joy-Con controllers not included); ideal for users who understand this is a physical holder accessory, not a controller or electronic device.
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