Quick answer: Use a Beginner Boss Lure on Forest Island, keep away from the tail flops and use a firearm to end the encounter before its escape meter runs out.
Why this encounter matters
The Old Pike is an optional Forest Island encounter, not the gate to Desert Island. It is useful as a first firearm test and collection target, but the three-Leech quest and Giant Piranha should take priority when cash is limited.
Old Pike route at a glance
| Encounter order | #2 of 10 boss and major encounters |
|---|---|
| Location | Forest Island |
| Story status | Optional; not required to reach the next island |
| Summon / trigger | Beginner Boss Lure |
| Item to keep | No main-story hand-in is required. |
How to unlock and start Old Pike
- Buy a Beginner Boss Lure on Forest Island.
- Bring a firearm and enough ammunition before casting.
- Move away from the Pike’s body and tail after it lands.
- Keep dealing damage so the white escape meter does not expire.
- Treat this as collection and money progress, not a story gate.
Preparation specific to this fight
- Budget for the $40 Beginner Boss Lure only after buying the gear needed for the required Giant Piranha route.
- A Shotgun makes the close-range flop much easier to answer; bring enough ammunition to keep pressure on the escape bar.
- Choose open ground near the landing area so the Pike’s body and tail are visible.
- Top up health before casting, but do not spend your last money on an optional attempt.
Attack patterns and safe responses
| Pattern | How to answer it |
|---|---|
| Body flop | Move away from the landing line, then shoot while the fish is recovering on the ground. |
| Tail swing | Stay outside the tail arc instead of circling tightly around the body. The hit is survivable, but repeated contact wastes healing. |
| Escape pressure | The Pike is mechanically simple, so most failed attempts come from low damage or empty ammunition rather than a complex pattern. |
Step-by-step fight plan
- Finish the Forest introduction and identify the shop before buying a one-use lure.
- Load the Shotgun and clear the immediate landing space.
- Cast the Beginner Boss Lure and step away from the waterline.
- Track the body rather than standing beside the tail.
- Fire through safe recovery windows until the health bar is empty.
- Collect the catch for money or collection progress; no story hand-in is required.
Solo and co-op approaches
Solo
Solo players should keep the encounter simple: step clear of the flop, fire at close range and reset. There is no need to circle the fish continuously or trade every hit.
Co-op
A co-op group can spread out so only one player is threatened by each flop. Avoid surrounding the tail; shoot from the same broad side so teammates remain visible.
Common mistakes in this encounter
- Treating the Old Pike as the boss that unlocks Desert Island.
- Standing against the shoreline and losing sight of the tail.
- Buying the optional lure before saving for a Shotgun or the required quest.
- Casting with too little ammunition to beat the escape timer.
If the attempt or unlock fails
A failed lure does not block progression. Return to ordinary Beginner Lure catches, rebuild cash and continue the Giant Piranha quest before deciding whether the collection entry is worth another $40 attempt.
Old Pike FAQ
Is the Old Pike required?
No. Giant Piranha is the Forest Island story gate; the Old Pike is an optional boss-lure encounter.
Which lure summons the Old Pike?
Use the Beginner Boss Lure sold on Forest Island, not the ordinary Beginner Lure.
When should you fight it?
After you can afford the lure, a firearm and ammunition without delaying the required three-Leech quest.
What happens next
Optional collection progress; Giant Piranha remains the story objective.
Open the complete Forest Island route →
Sources, method and evidence limits
Current boss guides agree on the Beginner Boss Lure, optional status, close flop/tail behavior and Shotgun recommendation. No separate story reward is documented for this fight.
- Official How to Fish Steam page — official game and progression premise.
- Destructoid boss guide — encounter patterns, triggers and recommended responses.
- Destructoid complete walkthrough — island order, economy choices and story hand-ins.
- All Things How boss guide — cross-check for bait, attack windows and unlock confirmation.