I’m So Done With Sea Bass

Oh my goodness, I thought I was the only one! Seriously, sometimes I think my Animal Crossing character has a magnet for sea bass. Every single time I cast my line, hoping for a rare catch like a coelacanth or even just something new for my critterpedia, BAM! It's another sea bass. You know the drill: 'I caught a sea bass! No, wait—it's at least a C+!' That line haunts my dreams! It feels like they're absolutely everywhere, and trust me, you're not wrong to feel that way. Sea bass are one of the most common fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, appearing in the ocean all day, every day, and in every season. Their large shadow size means they often get mistaken for other, more desirable large fish. It's truly a universal struggle among players, and it's no wonder there are so many hilarious memes about them! We're all in this together, sighing every time that familiar shadow appears. So, what's a frustrated angler to do? While you can't entirely escape their omnipresence, there are a few little tricks I've picked up to try and minimize sea bass encounters when you're on the hunt for something specific. If you're after smaller fish, like those elusive nibble fish or even a valuable oarfish (which has a large shadow but is less common), pay close attention to the shadow size. If it's a medium or small shadow, there's a higher chance it's not a sea bass. For those super rare big fish like the coelacanth, you'll still have to contend with the sea bass, but try fishing during rainy weather or in specific areas where rarer fish spawn. Sometimes, I'll even scare away smaller shadows just to reset the fish spawns, hoping for something new. And for those curious about other ocean dwellers like oysters or pearl oysters, remember they're completely different! Oysters are typically found diving, not fishing, and pearl oysters are even rarer, often required for crafting specific items. Don't confuse those precious finds with our ever-present finned friend! At the end of the day, those sea bass do sell for a few bells (400 bells each, if you're wondering!), so they're not entirely useless. But after catching your hundredth one, it really does feel personal. Maybe one day, they'll appreciate being caught. Until then, I'll keep shaking my head and wishing for anything but a C+!