Lets Go Pikachu Fishing Rod Location And How To Get It

Many players exploring the Kanto region in Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu often wonder where to find the traditional fishing rod to catch wild Water-type Pokemon. Unlike classic Kanto adventures, this entry on the Nintendo Switch modernizes several core exploration mechanics to match new gameplay systems. Understanding how water encounters work in this game helps trainers efficiently fill their Pokedex without spending hours searching for non-existent items.
The Truth About the Fishing Rod in Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu
Players searching for an Old Rod, Good Rod, or Super Rod will quickly discover that none of these items exist in Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu. Game Freak completely removed traditional fishing mechanics from this title to streamline wild Pokemon encounters. Instead of waiting for a bite at the water's edge, trainers must travel directly onto bodies of water to find aquatic species.
This design shift replaced classic fishing rods with new movement options for your partner Pokemon. By removing the random fishing minigame, the developers allowed players to see wild Water-type Pokemon swimming visibly on the overworld map.
How to Unlock Sea Skim to Travel Across Water
To encounter aquatic Pokemon, players must unlock a Secret Technique called Sea Skim, which replaces the classic Surf HM. You can acquire this essential ability by visiting Fuchsia City once you progress far enough in the main story. Head toward the GO Park Complex located in the northern area of the city.
Outside the GO Park, locate a man standing next to a surfboard and a Lapras. Speaking with him will prompt him to teach your partner Pikachu the Sea Skim technique. Once learned, simply approach any water body and interact with it to ride across the surface effortlessly.
Alternative Ways to Catch Water-Type Pokemon
Surfing on the water via Sea Skim is the main method for finding species like Magikarp, Tentacool, and Horsea in rivers and oceans. Additionally, players can ride large partner Pokemon such as Gyarados or Lapras across water once Sea Skim is unlocked. You can also trade with NPCs in Pokemon Centers or transfer creatures directly from Pokemon GO.
Understanding these updated mechanics ensures you won't waste time hunting for fishing spots in Kanto. Emphasizing overworld visibility makes finding specific aquatic species much faster than using traditional rods from older games.