Island 1 is where every Titan Fishing journey begins. It looks simple, but Island 1 contains several hidden mechanics that many players miss — including a secret cave NPC, a crafting lab, and the foundation for your first major rod upgrade. This guide covers everything on Island 1.
Overview
Island 1 is the default starting island. It is free to access and never locked. It contains:
- The starting fishing dock (your first casting spot)
- The Homeless Man NPC (skill book roller)
- The Bait Laboratory (craft Reef Bait and Pheromone Bait)
- A secret cave with the quest NPC Bi Hyun (Bamboo Rod quest starter)
- The Dealership NPC (where you buy the Island 2 ticket)
Fish on Island 1
| Fish | Rarity | Best Bait | Luck Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Minnow | E (Common) | Basic Bait | 1+ |
| Mud Catfish | C (Rare) | Basic Bait | 1+ |
| Silver Tuna | C (Rare) | Basic Bait | 5+ |
Island 1 fish have a low Cash value — focus on catching enough to unlock Upgraded Wooden Rod and then move on. Do not over-grind Island 1 fish once you have the Upgraded Wooden Rod.
NPCs
Homeless Man NPC (Skill Book Roller)
Located at the main fishing dock. Rolls a random Skill Book for you:
- First roll: 20,000 Cash
- Each additional roll: +1,000 Cash more than the last
- 10 rolls total cost: 245,000 Cash
Rolls from a pool of 26 Skill Books (Common through Mythical). Your first priority should be getting at least a Rare-tier book before moving to Island 2. See the Skill Book Tier List for what to aim for.
Bi Hyun (Secret Cave NPC — Bamboo Rod Quest)
Hidden behind a waterfall near the main bridge on Island 1. Walk through the waterfall to find a secret cave containing Bi Hyun.
How to find it: Look for the waterfall to the left of the main bridge. The wall behind it is passable — walk directly into it to enter the cave.
Talk to Bi Hyun to start the Bamboo Rod quest, which ultimately rewards a Luck 20, 18,767-damage rod. For rod upgrade options, see the Best Rods Guide.
Dealership NPC
Sells vehicle and boat transportation for island travel. Buy the Island 2 ticket here for 50,000 Cash. Requires Level 10 before the ticket becomes available.
Bait Laboratory
Located on Island 1. Unlocks at Level 15. Crafting recipes:
- Reef Bait (1x): 5x E-tier fish + 100 Cash
- Pheromone Bait (1x): 5x E-tier fish + 3x Reef Bait + 1x Crystal Fragment
Always keep the Bait Lab stocked. Reef Bait crafted here is significantly cheaper than buying it from the Island 2–3 shops. See the Wiki for full details on all items.
Progression Checklist
Before leaving Island 1, complete these milestones:
- Catch 50 River Minnow to reach Level 5
- Purchase Upgraded Wooden Rod (40,000 Cash)
- Roll skill books until you have at least one Rare-tier book
- Complete 3 daily quests (bonus Cash)
- Find the secret cave and talk to Bi Hyun (start Bamboo Rod quest)
- Save 50,000 Cash for the Island 2 ticket
Tips
- Do not buy the Rusty Iron Rod — The jump from Upgraded Wooden Rod (Luck 5) to Gold Plated Rod (Luck 18) is the optimal upgrade. Rusty Iron Rod (Luck 10, 100,000 Cash) is a waste.
- Roll Skill Books early — Having a Rare book before Island 2 makes the transition much smoother.
- Craft Reef Bait once the Lab unlocks — Island 2 fish respond significantly better to Reef Bait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I come back to Island 1 after unlocking later islands? Yes, always. Island 1 NPCs (especially Homeless Man and Bait Lab) are used throughout the entire game.
What level do I need to unlock Island 2? Level 10 minimum to purchase the Island 2 ticket (50,000 Cash) from the Dealership NPC.
What is the secret cave used for? It contains NPC Bi Hyun who starts the Bamboo Rod quest — one of the best early progression paths in the game. The Bamboo Rod (Luck 20) outperforms the Stone Rod (Luck 20, 300,000 Cash) at half the cost.
Is it worth grinding Island 1 fish for Cash? No, not past Level 5. Island 1 fish pay very little. Move to Island 2 as soon as you have 50,000 Cash.