I decided to write a Runescape Fishing and Cooking Guide because fishing is one of the most profitable activities in Runescape and it was the first real way I made my gold. Cooking is a necessary skill to have when fishing so you can cook what you catch and sell it off.
I understand that the majority of the Runescape community are not members and therefore I will write this guide specifically targeted towards free to play players. This guide is helpful to members as well so feel free to use it. I assume the reader to have around 1000 gold for buying bait and feathers.
Fishing is one of the best skills you can have in Runescape, especially if you're looking to go into the wilderness. Food is in high demand by PvP so it's always easy to sell your catch. Fishing only really becomes profitable at level 40. Level 40 fishing is the key level in which you will start to make large amounts of money because you can fish lobsters. Lobsters are one of the best foods to eat because they heal 12 HP and are quite easy to get a hold of.
Unlike Swordfish, Lobsters will be caught 100% of the time. Swordfish are caught along with tuna, so it can be a slow process having to drop all the tuna because tuna is basically worthless. Swordfish do however heal 14 HP as opposed to the 12 HP which lobsters heal and sell for more, so you can't really go wrong if you choose to fish lobsters or swordfish.
At levels 1-5, you are stuck using the net you were given on tutorial island. Just keep fishing shrimp until you can reach level 5. Once your inventory is full, you should chop down a tree and light a fire so you can cook your shrimp for the cooking experience you will later need to cook lobsters. Drop the cooked and burnt shrimp and repeat the process. Near the altar just south of Port Sarim is a great place to fish for beginners.
Once you are level 5 you can now start fishing using bait and go for sardines. Sardines like shrimp are pretty much useless so you should be cooking them for the experience and then dropping them. Buy a standard fishing rod and around 200 bait from the fishing shop. 200 should be enough for when you will start to use feathers. Keep fishing using this method until level 20.
At level 10 you will be able to fish herring. Cook these too for the experience and then drop them. At level 15 you have the option of bringing your net back out to fish anchovies but in my opinion, it's not really worth it. It is best to just stick with the rods.
You should now be level 20 in fishing. As soon as you reach level 20 go to the fishing shop and by a fly fishing rod and a LOT of feathers. At least 400. If you can't afford 400 or run out of feathers, go to the farm north-east of Lumbridge and kill chickens until you have enough.
It sounds like a lot but it actually shouldn't take that long because when feathers are dropped there are at least 5 (though they only drop around half the time you kill a chicken). You should use your fly fishing rod to catch trout at Lumbridge. At level 25 you have the option of bringing out your standard fishing rod and bait to fish pike, but again, it's not necessary.
In my opinion, stick with fishing trout. At level 30 you will be able to catch salmon. Trout and salmon should both be cooked and dropped. Level 20 to 40 is the longest process so be patient. At level 35 you have the option of buying a harpoon and fishing tuna but I don't recommend it because it's rather slow. Also, remember to use up ALL your bait and feathers before moving onto the next stage so you won't be wasting your gold (you are practically paying for fishing experience).
Once you are level 40, this is the big break. You no longer have to keep buying bait and feathers and instead, all you have to carry around is a lobster pot (buy one from the fishing shop). There is only one place for non-members to fish lobsters and that is at karamaja which unfortunately, costs to travel to. It costs 60 gold for a 2 way trip to karamaja (30 each way). There is no bank at karamaja and there aren't many trees so I suggest you just carry all your lobsters back to Port Sarim, cook them at the range there (drop the burnt ones) and then bank the lobsters at Draynor.
