First 30 minutes

Catch common fish, place them on your starter island, and earn enough coins to leave the starter rod. Do NOT spend Robux yet - the cast-catch-place loop works fully without paying.

First rod upgrade

Crow Rod is the first meaningful upgrade. Buy it as soon as your starter island is generating income. Ice Rod is the next tier up once Crow is paid off.

When to roll for rare fish

Save rare-class pulls for when you have Ice Rod equipped AND your cast skill is trained. Rare-class catches are wasted on the starter rod.