Quick answer: Catch and defeat a Tuna with the Professional Boss Lure, keep its body, use it to attract the Albatross and return the bird’s head for the final coordinates.
Story location order
What makes this island different
Rocks Island is a short but expensive dependency chain. The shop NPC describes a large bird, the Professional Boss Lure produces the Tuna, and the Tuna body becomes the Albatross trigger. Selling the intermediate catch breaks the route.
Priority route
- Speak with the shop NPC and confirm the terrorizing-bird objective.
- Upgrade ranged damage before paying $1,200 for the Professional Boss Lure.
- Defeat Tuna on the compact island and preserve the whole body.
- Choose cover, place the Tuna on the ground and fight Albatross with a long-range weapon.
- Return the Albatross head and confirm the Volcano contact before departure.
Rocks Island route
- Buy a Professional Boss Lure and prepare a strong weapon.
- Summon and defeat the Tuna.
- Do not sell or cook the Tuna body.
- Lay it on the ground and wait for the Albatross.
- Defeat the bird and return its head to the quest NPC.
Money and upgrade decisions
Professional Lures open better regular catches, while the boss lure and $3,800 Sniper Rifle create a steep progression bill. A strong Shotgun can handle Tuna; the Sniper Rifle is mainly valuable for the distant Albatross. Farm ordinary Professional catches rather than risking the story lure with under-upgraded weapons.
Navigation and quest-item route
Rocks Island is small enough that combat setup matters more than travel. Use the longest lane for Tuna, then relocate the Tuna body near cover before placing it. Upgrade the boat Radar before long-distance navigation so the Volcano contact remains readable without holding the device.
Main encounter: Tuna → Albatross
Catch and defeat a Tuna with the Professional Boss Lure, keep its body, use it to attract the Albatross and return the bird’s head for the final coordinates.
Open the Tuna → Albatross encounter guide →
Progression checkpoints
| Moment | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Before Tuna | Professional Boss Lure, upgraded Shotgun, ammunition and an open body slot |
| After Tuna | Whole Tuna body preserved and not cooked or sold |
| Before Albatross | Cover chosen and long-range weapon loaded |
| Before departure | Albatross head accepted and Volcano coordinates visible |
When to do optional work
Collection fishing and late-game upgrades are useful here because Volcano costs rise sharply. Finish the Albatross route first if money is tight, then decide whether to remain for additional Professional-tier catches.
Solo and co-op route differences
Solo
Solo players benefit from separating the two fights. Refill ammunition and healing after Tuna, then choose cover and a ranged weapon before placing the body; there is no reward for triggering both encounters back-to-back unprepared.
Co-op
Choose one player to own the Tuna body and call the Albatross rain cycle. The team should share one covered side so nobody draws the bird across a teammate standing in the open.
Common route mistakes
- Buying the boss lure before weapon upgrades.
- Trying to kite Tuna around an arena that is too small.
- Keeping Tuna in inventory instead of placing it on the ground.
- Using only a Shotgun against the distant Albatross.
Rocks Island FAQ
Can Tuna be sold after the fight?
Not if you still need Albatross. The whole Tuna body is the next encounter’s bait.
What weapon is best for Albatross?
Use an accurate long-range weapon; current guides recommend the Sniper Rifle or an SMG/Uzi-style alternative.
What unlocks Volcano Island?
Return the Albatross head to the Rocks Island quest NPC and confirm the new coordinates.
Sources, method and evidence limits
The Professional Boss Lure, Tuna body dependency, Albatross cover strategy, head hand-in, weapon tiers and boat upgrade advice are supported by current walkthrough, boss and vendor sources.
- Official How to Fish Steam page — official island-and-boss progression premise.
- Destructoid complete walkthrough — five-island order and quest chain.
- ShowGamer island map — story gates, optional encounters and Radar sequence.
- All Things How vendor guide — item tiers, prices and upgrade availability.