Dave the Diver In the Jungle Fishing Rod & Piraiba Catfish Guide
A practical Dave the Diver In the Jungle Fishing Rod and Piraiba Catfish guide for players who need to finish Basu's Walking Catfish request, find Piraiba Catfish in Lake 35–75m, bring back the meat, unlock the Fishing Rod, use fishing icons, and understand bait, line, rod upgrades, and fishing spots outside the lake.
Updated:
Quick Answer
To unlock the Fishing Rod in Dave the Diver: In the Jungle, follow Basu’s fishing route in two steps. First, complete The Walking Catfish in the Mud by catching 3 Walking Catfish alive with the Net Gun. Later, Basu asks for Piraiba Catfish, which appears in Lake 35–75m. Bring back Piraiba Catfish meat, then Basu gives Dave the Fishing Rod and the starter fishing setup.
Fishing Rod Route Summary
Use this table if you only need the corrected unlock order.
| Step | Task | Fish / item | Key detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Talk to Basu | Walking Catfish request | The request is The Walking Catfish in the Mud |
| 2 | Catch them alive | 3 Walking Catfish | Use Net Gun / net form instead of killing them |
| 3 | Return to Basu | Walking Catfish delivery | Raises Basu’s friendship progress and rewards Doni |
| 4 | Progress Basu’s next route | Piraiba Catfish request | Basu says normal fishing gear cannot handle it |
| 5 | Dive lower | Piraiba Catfish | The request points to Lake 35–75m |
| 6 | Bring meat back | Piraiba Catfish meat | Piraiba is large, aggressive, and dangerous |
| 7 | Claim reward | Fishing Rod | Basu gives the rod after the Piraiba request |
| 8 | Start fishing | Fishing icons | Use the rod only at marked fishing spots |
Step 1: Catch 3 Walking Catfish Alive
Basu’s first catfish task is Walking Catfish, not Piraiba Catfish.
The request is The Walking Catfish in the Mud, and the important requirement is that Dave must bring back 3 Walking Catfish alive. You can find Walking Catfish in Utara Lake during this route. Use the Net Gun or Jungle Gun net form so they count as live captures.
| Walking Catfish detail | What to do |
|---|---|
| Request name | The Walking Catfish in the Mud |
| Requested by | Basu |
| Amount | 3 Walking Catfish |
| Capture state | Alive |
| Best tool | Net Gun / Jungle Gun net form |
| Where to look | Utara Lake during Basu’s request route |
| What to avoid | Killing them with a damage form before the request is done |
Step 2: Deliver Walking Catfish to Basu
Return to Basu after you catch the three Walking Catfish alive.
This does not instantly give the Fishing Rod. It moves Basu’s friendship route forward, rewards Doni, and helps set up later progress with Basu before the Piraiba Catfish request appears.
| Delivery result | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Basu accepts the Walking Catfish | The first catfish route step is complete |
| Doni reward | The request pays Doni |
| Friendship progress | Basu’s relationship route moves forward |
| Later route setup | The Piraiba Catfish request can appear after more Basu progress |
Step 3: Start the Piraiba Catfish Request
After Basu’s route progresses, he talks about Piraiba Catfish.
This is the request that leads to the Fishing Rod reward. Basu explains that normal fishing gear cannot handle it, so Dave needs to deal with it while diving and bring back meat.
| Piraiba request detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Fish name | Piraiba Catfish |
| NPC | Basu |
| Why Basu needs help | His rod cannot handle it |
| Player task | Dive, fight it, and bring back meat |
| Reward path | Completing this request unlocks the Fishing Rod |
Piraiba Catfish Location: Lake 35–75m
The Piraiba Catfish request points to Lake 35–75m.
That means you are searching the lower lake layer, not the safe surface route. Prepare for stronger enemies, polluted depth pressure, and a bigger fight than Walking Catfish.
| Location detail | What it means |
|---|---|
| Area | Utara Lake |
| Depth | Lake 35–75m |
| Layer | Lower lake route |
| Risk | Stronger enemies and polluted depth pressure |
| Recommended prep | Oxygen, filter progress, ammo, healing, and a strong Jungle Gun form |
| Exit plan | Bring back meat and leave instead of over-exploring |
How to Identify Piraiba Catfish
Piraiba Catfish is hard to miss once you know what to look for.
Look for a huge catfish with a dark gray back, white underbelly, long whiskers, and a body several times larger than Dave. If you are in Lake 35–75m and see a massive whiskered catfish moving aggressively, that is the target you should prepare to fight.
| Visual clue | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Body size | Much larger than Dave |
| Color | Dark gray upper body with a white underbelly |
| Face | Long catfish whiskers |
| Behavior | Aggressive movement and dangerous close-range attacks |
| Route check | Found in the Lake 35–75m request range |
How to Beat Piraiba Catfish
Piraiba Catfish is aggressive and much larger than the early Walking Catfish.
Use a strong damage form, keep distance, and avoid staying directly in front of its mouth. If your current filter, oxygen, or weapon damage feels weak, upgrade before forcing the fight.
| Fight problem | Better answer |
|---|---|
| It charges directly at Dave | Move vertically or away from the mouth line |
| It tries to swallow Dave | Be ready for quick reaction prompts |
| Your damage feels low | Upgrade a Jungle Gun damage form through Muna |
| You run out of oxygen | Bring healing / oxygen recovery and improve filter progress |
| You killed it but need meat | Secure the meat before leaving the area |
| You got the meat but want to explore more | Return to Basu first; the rod unlock matters more than extra risk |
Step 4: Deliver Piraiba Catfish Meat
After the fight, bring Piraiba Catfish meat back to Basu.
This is the delivery that triggers the Fishing Rod reward. Basu accepts the meat and then gives Dave the rod because fishing can be safer than diving for every catch.
| Delivery check | Good answer |
|---|---|
| Return NPC | Basu |
| Required fish | Piraiba Catfish |
| Required result | Bring back meat |
| Reward trigger | Basu gives the Fishing Rod after this delivery |
| Follow-up | Fishing spots and Basu’s fishing upgrade path unlock |
Step 5: Get the Fishing Rod
Basu gives Dave the Fishing Rod after the Piraiba Catfish meat request.
This unlocks a new catch method. Fishing does not replace diving, but it opens marked fishing spots and fish that may not appear in normal lake routes.
| Reward | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Weak Fishing Rod | Starter rod for fishing spots |
| Standard Fishing Line | Starter line for early fish |
| Dough Bait | Starter bait |
| Fishing icons | Show where the rod can be used |
| Basu upgrades | Better rod, line, and bait become part of fishing progression |
| Doni cost | Basu can later set Dave up with stronger fishing gear for Doni |
Fishing Icons and Fishing Spots
After the rod unlocks, use it wherever you see a fishing icon.
Basu explains that fishing spots exist outside the lake, so this system can give catches beyond normal diving routes. Do not spam the rod everywhere; look for the icon.
| Fishing spot | Why to check it |
|---|---|
| Basu’s dock | Easy starter fishing spot near Basu |
| Village-side waterfall / west village spot | Useful early fishing point outside the lake dive loop |
| Jungle fishing ponds | Can produce catches you do not find while diving |
| Any fishing icon | The rod is icon-based, so the icon is your use prompt |
| No icon | Move on; the rod is not meant to work everywhere |
Fishing Rod vs Diving
Fishing adds a safer catch route, but diving still matters.
Use fishing for marked spots, special catches, and safer side collection. Use diving for story objectives, lake materials, filter progress, dangerous fish, and deeper-route items.
| Goal | Better method |
|---|---|
| Walking Catfish alive | Dive with Net Gun / Jungle Gun net form |
| Piraiba Catfish meat | Dive and fight in Lake 35–75m |
| Fishing icon appears | Use Fishing Rod |
| Special pond fish | Use Fishing Rod |
| Materials and artifacts | Dive |
| Filter-gated lower lake progress | Dive after Muna upgrades |
| Bancho Grill ingredient gap | Choose fishing or diving based on the needed fish |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Better play |
|---|---|---|
| Calling the route one “big catfish” request | It hides the Walking Catfish → Piraiba Catfish sequence | Split Basu’s route into two steps |
| Killing Walking Catfish | Basu asks for them alive | Use the Net Gun / net form |
| Thinking Walking Catfish delivery gives the rod | It mainly advances Basu’s route | Continue until the Piraiba Catfish request appears |
| Searching Piraiba at the surface | The request points to Lake 35–75m | Prepare for the lower lake layer |
| Going after Piraiba undergeared | It is aggressive and can punish low oxygen or weak damage | Upgrade filter, oxygen, and Jungle Gun first |
| Returning without meat | Basu needs Piraiba Catfish meat for the rod reward | Secure meat before leaving the lake |
What to Read Next
| If your next blocker is… | Read this |
|---|---|
| DLC start trigger, Skip to Jungle, or Dr. Bacon | How to Start the DLC |
| Chapter 1, Tilapia, and Purification Filter | Beginner First Day Guide |
| Jungle Gun forms and lower-lake combat | Jungle Gun Upgrades |
| Bancho Grill, Modest Grill, skewers, Rating, and Yasuto | Bancho Grill Guide |
| Full DLC route selection | Dave the Diver In the Jungle Guide Hub |
Final Tip
If the Fishing Rod still has not unlocked, check Basu’s route order: 3 Walking Catfish alive first, then Piraiba Catfish meat from Lake 35–75m.
FAQ
How do I unlock the Fishing Rod in Dave the Diver In the Jungle? +
Progress Basu's route. First catch three Walking Catfish alive with the Net Gun, then complete his Piraiba Catfish request by bringing back meat from Piraiba Catfish in Lake 35–75m. After that, Basu gives Dave the Fishing Rod.
Do I need Walking Catfish before Piraiba Catfish? +
Yes. Basu first gives the Walking Catfish in the Mud request, which asks for three Walking Catfish brought back alive. The Piraiba Catfish request comes later in Basu's fishing route.
Where is Piraiba Catfish? +
Piraiba Catfish is listed in Lake 35–75m. Search the lower lake layer after your purification filter and combat setup can handle that depth.
What does Piraiba Catfish look like? +
Look for a huge catfish with a dark gray back, white underbelly, long whiskers, and a body several times larger than Dave.
How do I catch Walking Catfish alive? +
Use the Net Gun or Jungle Gun net form instead of killing them. Basu specifically wants the Walking Catfish brought back alive.
Who gives the Fishing Rod? +
Basu the fisherman gives Dave the Fishing Rod after the Piraiba Catfish meat request is complete.
What do fishing icons mean? +
After you get the Fishing Rod, use it whenever you see a fishing icon. The rod is tied to fishing spots instead of being usable everywhere.
Do I need better bait, line, or rod? +
Yes for tougher fish. Basu explains that stronger catches need better bait, line, or rod upgrades, so treat Fishing Rod progress as its own upgrade path.