How to Catch Anglerfish in OSRS: A Complete Guide for 2025

If you’re looking to level up your Fishing skill or make some serious gold in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), catching anglerfish is one of the best methods to consider. Known for their profitability and decent experience rates, anglerfish are a prized catch in the game. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to catch anglerfish in OSRS, from requirements to optimal strategies, updated for 2025. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, you’ll find actionable tips to master this skill. Let’s dive in!

Anglerfish stand out in OSRS for a few key reasons. They offer a balance of profit and experience, making them a popular choice for players looking to multitask their skilling goals. Here’s why you should consider them:

Profit Potential

Anglerfish are highly sought after due to their healing properties—restoring up to 22 Hitpoints at level 99 and even boosting above your maximum HP. This makes them valuable for PvP and high-level bossing, driving their price on the Grand Exchange. In 2025, you can expect to earn significant gold per hour, often exceeding 200k GP depending on market trends.

Fishing Experience

Each anglerfish caught grants 120 Fishing XP, with rates scaling up to around 23k XP per hour at level 99. While not the fastest method for pure XP, it’s a solid option for those prioritizing gold alongside skill progression.

AFK-Friendly Method

Unlike some high-intensity skilling methods, catching anglerfish is relatively low-effort and AFK-friendly, allowing you to relax or multitask while still making progress in-game.

Requirements for Catching Anglerfish

Before you can start reeling in anglerfish, you’ll need to meet some prerequisites. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Skill Requirements

• Fishing Level 82: This is the minimum level required to catch anglerfish. Higher levels improve your catch rate, so aim for 90+ for efficiency.
• 100% Piscarilius Favour: You must max out your favour with the Piscarilius House in Great Kourend to access the fishing spots.

Equipment Needed

• Fishing Rod: A basic tool available from any fishing shop or the Grand Exchange for a few coins.
• Sandworms: These are the bait required for anglerfish. Buy them from Tynan’s Fishing Supplies in Port Piscarilius or the Grand Exchange.
• Optional Boosts: Items like the Angler’s Outfit, Rada’s Blessing, and Spirit Flakes can enhance your efficiency (more on these later).

Location Access

Anglerfish are exclusively caught at the bait fishing spots on the beach shore north of the main docks in Port Piscarilius. You’ll need to travel to Great Kourend, which is accessible via the Lovakengj Minecart Network, a boat from Port Sarim, or teleportation methods like the Xeric’s Talisman.

How to Catch Anglerfish: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you’ve got the basics covered, here’s a detailed walkthrough on how to catch anglerfish in OSRS:

Step 1: Gain Piscarilius Favour

To fish anglerfish, you need 100% Piscarilius Favour. Here’s how to earn it:

• Fresh Fish Delivery: Collect fresh fish from barrels around Port Piscarilius and deliver them to Frankie (0-20% favour).
• Repair Crane: Use planks and nails to fix cranes (20-50% favour).
• Hunt Sandworms: Dig for sandworms with a spade on the shore (50-75% favour).
• Steal Artefacts: Thieve from houses in Piscarilius (75-100% favour, requires 49 Thieving).

This process can take a few hours, but it’s a one-time requirement.

Step 2: Gather Your Gear

Head to Tynan’s Fishing Supplies in Port Piscarilius to stock up on sandworms. Buy one pack at a time (90 GP each) to keep costs low, as the shop’s stock replenishes quickly. Bring your fishing rod and any optional boosts you have.

Step 3: Find the Fishing Spot

Walk north from the main docks in Port Piscarilius until you reach the beach shore. Look for the bait fishing spots marked by ripples in the water, located just south of Tynan’s shop. These spots move occasionally, so stay alert.

Step 4: Start Fishing

Click the fishing spot with your rod and sandworms equipped. Each catch consumes one sandworm, so keep an eye on your inventory. At level 82, your success rate is around 12%, scaling to 14.5% at 99. Higher levels mean faster catches and less downtime.

Step 5: Bank and Repeat

The bank is conveniently close in Port Piscarilius, just a short walk southwest from the fishing spots. Deposit your anglerfish, restock sandworms if needed, and head back to continue fishing.

Optimizing Your Anglerfish Fishing Efficiency

To maximize your XP and GP per hour, consider these advanced tips and boosts:

Use the Angler’s Outfit

The Angler’s Outfit provides a 2.5% Fishing XP boost when worn fully. Obtain it from the Fishing Trawler minigame (level 15 Fishing required). It’s a grind to get all pieces, but the bonus is worth it for long-term fishing.

Equip Rada’s Blessing

From the Kourend & Kebos Diary, Rada’s Blessing gives a 2-8% chance (depending on diary tier) to catch two anglerfish at once, doubling your yield without extra XP. The elite version (8%) is ideal for profit-focused players.

Spirit Flakes for Extra Catches

Spirit Flakes, obtained from Tempoross, increase your catch rate by 50%. They’re consumed per catch attempt, so stock up if you plan to use them extensively.

Fish Barrel for Longer Trips

The Fish Barrel (also from Tempoross) doubles your inventory capacity to 28 anglerfish, reducing banking trips. Pair it with Rada’s Blessing and Spirit Flakes for maximum efficiency.

Table: Efficiency Boosts Comparison

Item	Benefit	How to Obtain
Angler’s Outfit	+2.5% Fishing XP	Fishing Trawler
Rada’s Blessing (Elite)	8% chance of double catch	Elite Kourend & Kebos Diary
Spirit Flakes	+50% catch rate	Tempoross
Fish Barrel	Holds 28 fish	Tempoross

Tips and Tricks for Success

Here are some final pointers to ensure your anglerfish fishing goes smoothly:

Monitor Sandworm Costs

Buying sandworms from Tynan’s shop is cheaper (90 GP each) than the Grand Exchange, where prices can inflate. Stick to the shop to keep your profit margins high.

Cook for Extra Profit

With 84 Cooking, you can cook raw anglerfish for 230 Cooking XP each. Cooked anglerfish often sell for more than raw ones, boosting your GP per hour. Stop burning at level 98 with Cooking Gauntlets or 99 with the Cooking Cape.

Combine with Other Goals

Use anglerfish fishing to work toward achievements like the Elite Kourend & Kebos Diary task (catch and cook an anglerfish in Great Kourend) or a Sherlock Master Clue challenge (catch one while wearing the Angler’s Outfit).

Avoid Peak Hours

Fishing spots can get crowded during peak server times. Switch worlds or fish during off-hours to secure a spot and maintain your rhythm.

Conclusion: Catching anglerfish in OSRS is a rewarding endeavor that blends profit, experience, and a laid-back playstyle. By meeting the requirements, optimizing your setup, and applying these strategies, you’ll be hauling in these lucrative fish like a pro in no time. Whether you’re funding your next big adventure or aiming for 99 Fishing, anglerfish are a fantastic choice in 2025. Grab your rod, stock up on sandworms, and head to Port Piscarilius—happy fishing!