How to Fish boss guides: defeating the Spider Crab and Pufferfish with fists and guns
How to Fish, the game that tasks players with angling, cooking and survival on a chain of islands, quickly reveals that its real challenge is not the fishing. The first two major bosses—the Spider Crab and the Pufferfish—demand combat skills, patience and a willingness to spend cash on the right gear. Each fight has its own preparation steps and tactics, and failing either means grinding for resources to try again.
Beating the Spider Crab
The Spider Crab is the first boss players encounter in How to Fish. To even reach it, you must complete the sailor’s tutorial quest, but the game’s economy makes the order of purchases important. The recommended sequence is to start by feeding clams to the sailor rather than buying his beer immediately. The Fishing Rod costs $3 and should be your first purchase, allowing you to catch more valuable fish. With those fish, you can feed the sailor further or sell them for cash.
Your next priority is a melee weapon. The Knife costs $45 and the Brass Knuckles cost $24, with the knife being the preferred option thanks to its higher damage output. Once you have a weapon, buy the Beer for $12 and give it to the sailor. The empty can then serves as bait to reel in the Spider Crab boss.
The Spider Crab itself is a fast, somersaulting enemy that can kill you in three or four quick hits from its claws. Before the fight, eat enough seafood to top off your hunger and health. During the battle, the crab becomes temporarily dazed after attacking, giving you a window to run in and land hits. If you are struggling, grab a clam or two for quick healing. The fight is easier in co-op, where bare fists can suffice, but solo players will find the knife a game-changer. The key is to use the terrain and physics to your advantage—stand on higher ground to dodge attacks and make the boss work harder to reach you.
After defeating the Spider Crab, pick up its remains and deliver them to the old fisherman. He will give you the keys to his boat, allowing you to leave the island. Before departing, it is recommended to buy the radar for $10.
The Pufferfish: a major difficulty spike
The second major boss, the Pufferfish, represents a significant jump in difficulty. To obtain the bait needed to summon it, you must first speak to the swimmer in yellow floaties on the third island. He asks for help slaying a scary fish and has spare snacks that can be used as bait, but he will not hand them over until you promise something in return. Specifically, you need to find an endangered creature.
To do this, buy the new Fishing Rod ($3) and the Standard Lure ($15). Use the Standard Lure to fish for endangered creatures. Do not sell any fish before examining them with the F key—if a fish is labelled as an endangered creature, feed it to the swimmer. He will then give you the Carrot Bait, which you use to reel in the Pufferfish.
The Pufferfish fight is tough. The shotgun is not effective enough to kill it; the recommended weapon is the SMG, which costs $650, along with as many bullet upgrades as you can afford. Before the fight, top off your health and hunger with seafood. The battle requires constant movement—do not stop to shoot. Keep as many trees between yourself and the boss as possible, and be careful to avoid its purple poison, which deals lethal damage quickly. The Pufferfish grows in size as you hit it, making it easier to watch and dodge once it loses a little under half its health. One effective tactic is to lure the Pufferfish around the merchant’s shop; it sometimes gets stuck on corners when it is larger, giving you a chance to land shots.
The Pufferfish took many attempts in both solo and co-op saves. Lucky players may have been able to skate by the previous two boss fights, but this battle forces you to learn how to make the most of the terrain. Patience and a willingness to keep running and gunning are essential.