The Arcanite Fishing Pole, WoW’s legendary fishing rod, is earned by completing the quest chain starting with “A Day in the Life of a Nat Pagle.” This involves catching rare fish in Outland zones, gathering quest items, and proving your angling prowess. The reward is a permanent +100 fishing skill boost, making it essential for dedicated fishers.
What Are the Best Baits for Catching Carp?
What Are the Prerequisites for Starting the Legendary Fishing Pole Quest?
To begin, you need Fishing skill 375+, access to Outland zones, and the quest “A Day in the Life of a Nat Pagle” from Old Man Barlo in Terokkar Forest. Alliance players must complete the “Nat Pagle, Angler Extreme” prerequisite in Zangarmarsh. Horde players require “Crocolisks in the City” from Drazzit Dripvalve in Shattrath.
Seasoned anglers recommend completing the Artisan Fishing training first, as this unlocks critical abilities like Fishing Poles specialization. Players should also stock up on Aquadynamic Fish Attractors (+100 fishing skill for 10 minutes) and ensure they’ve unlocked flight paths in Zangarmarsh, Nagrand, and Shadowmoon Valley. A useful prep strategy involves:
- Completing the Terokkar Tower daily quests for instant teleport access
- Obtaining the Weather-Beaten Fishing Hat from Stranglethorn Vale
- Farming 30+ Spotted Feltail beforehand to accelerate progress
| Faction | Pre-Quest | Starting NPC | Minimum Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance | Nat Pagle, Angler Extreme | Kafka Flinchshadow | 62 |
| Horde | Crocolisks in the City | Drazzit Dripvalve | 64 |
Where Do You Catch the Rare Fish Required for the Quest?
The four rare fish are: 1) Muddy Churning Waters in Zangarmarsh (Spiteflayer’s droprate: 5%), 2) Furious Crawdad in Nagrand (Lake Sunspring pools), 3) Enormous Spotted Feltail in Terokkar Forest (hourly spawns), and 4) Strange Pool Fish in Shadowmoon Valley (requires 425+ fishing). Use +fishing gear and weather-aware strategies for optimal results.
Advanced fishers utilize server-sharding techniques to reset fishing nodes faster. For the Strange Pool Fish, coordinate with a raid group to control the weather patterns in Shadowmoon Valley – stormy conditions increase bite rates by 40%. The Enormous Spotted Feltail requires precise timing: its 58-minute respawn window aligns with the Terokkar Forest moon cycle. Track progress using addons like FishingBuddy to monitor:
- Real-time bite rate analytics
- Pool depletion timers
- Competitor density heatmaps
| Fish Type | Optimal Bait | Time Efficiency | Avg. Catches/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muddy Churning Waters | Bright Baubles | 19:00-22:00 server | 7-9 |
| Furious Crawdad | Sharpened Hook | During thunderstorms | 12-15 |
How Long Does the Arcanite Fishing Pole Quest Chain Take?
Average completion time is 8-12 hours due to RNG-dependent catches. The Spotted Feltail alone requires 45-90 minutes of active fishing. Prepare Sharpened Fishing Hook (+75 skill) and Weather-Beaten Fishing Hat for efficiency. Nighttime fishing in Shadowmoon Valley increases Strange Pool Fish spawn rates by 20% during server “rain” events.
What Are the Best Strategies for Farming Nat Pagle’s Broken Reel?
The Broken Reel (1% drop from high-level fish) is most efficiently farmed in Skettis coastal pools. Use Jewelcrafting’s Figurine of the Colossus for +20 fishing skill stacking. Server-hopping via Group Finder increases pool respawn rates. Prioritize Golden Darter schools, which have a 0.7% higher Broken Reel drop chance compared to other fish types.
Why Is the Arcanite Fishing Pole Considered Legendary?
Beyond +100 skill, it grants Undercurrent Angler, a hidden proc increasing catch speed by 15% for 10 seconds. Unlike the Kalu’ak Epic Pole, it works in all expansions. The pole’s 2.70 attack speed also makes it BiS for Beast Mastery hunters using Fisherman’s Folly pet buffs. Its rarity (owned by <3% of players) cements its legendary status.
The weapon’s unique Titanium Reinforced Line allows players to fish up battle pets from lava pools and other extreme environments. During the Midsummer Fire Festival, equipping the pole doubles the drop rate of Fiery Fin quest items. Its true value emerges in legacy raids like Serpentshrine Cavern, where it enables fishing up the Vashj’s Lockbox containing rare T5 transmog pieces. Notable advantages include:
- Unlocks secret fishing dailies in Pandaria
- Enables artifact power fishing in Broken Isles
- 25% faster node interaction vs. standard poles
“The Arcanite Fishing Pole isn’t just gear—it’s a pilgrimage. Modern expansions have faster leveling, but Outland’s RNG mechanics force players to master zone-specific conditions. Pro tip: Fish during Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza downtime; fewer competitors mean better pool access.”
– Marthus Rivermaster, 14-year WoW Angling Guild Leader
Conclusion
The Arcanite Fishing Pole remains WoW’s ultimate angling achievement. While time-intensive, its permanent boosts and prestige justify the grind. Pair it with Weather-Beaten Hat and Dragonflight Kits for 600+ effective skill, enabling rare catches across all expansions.
FAQ
- Can You Still Get the Legendary Fishing Pole in Dragonflight?
- Yes! The quest chain remains available. Dragonflight’s Reinforced Net (+50 skill) stacks with the Arcanite Pole, letting you reach 675+ fishing skill.
- Does the Arcanite Pole Work in Classic WoW?
- No—it’s exclusive to Burning Crusade Classic and Retail. Classic Era uses the original Nat Pagle’s Extreme Anglin’ Boots instead.
- How Does the Pole Compare to the Underlight Angler?
- The Legion-era Underlight Angler offers transformable perks but only +55 skill. Arcanite’s flat +100 makes it superior for pre-Shadowlands content. Use both for max efficiency in Dragonflight waters.