OSRS Dark Fishing Bait Guide for 2025

OSRS Dark Fishing Bait Guide for 2025

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), dark fishing bait is a niche but valuable item used exclusively for catching dark crabs, a high-level fish that offers decent experience and profit. This guide dives into everything you need to know about dark fishing bait, from how to obtain it, its uses, and strategies to maximize your fishing efficiency in 2025. Whether you’re an ironman, a casual player, or chasing profits in the Wilderness, this post will help you master dark fishing bait.

Dark fishing bait is a members-only item required to catch dark crabs at the Wilderness Resource Area. Unlike regular fishing bait, it’s not purchasable from shops and must be obtained through specific methods, making it a unique resource for high-level fishers.

Key Details of Dark Fishing Bait

  • Requirement: Minimum Fishing level 85 to use.
  • Use: Paired with a lobster pot to catch dark crabs.
  • Stackable: Yes, saving inventory space.
  • Tradeable: Yes, available on the Grand Exchange.

Why Dark Fishing Bait Matters

Dark crabs are a profitable catch, offering both Fishing experience and gold. With a Grand Exchange price of around 1,200-1,400 GP each in 2025, fishing them can net up to 350k GP per hour, making dark fishing bait a key component for players looking to fund their OSRS adventures.

How to Obtain Dark Fishing Bait

Since dark fishing bait isn’t sold in stores, players must rely on monster drops or other methods to acquire it. Below are the primary ways to get it in 2025.

Monster Drops in the Wilderness

Dark fishing bait is dropped by various Wilderness monsters, making it a risky but rewarding item to farm. Here’s a table of notable sources:

Monster Level Drop Quantity Location
Chaos Elemental 305 100-300 West of Rogue’s Castle
Lava Dragon 252 50-150 Lava Dragon Isle
Green Dragon 79 25-75 Wilderness (various)
Revenants Varies 10-50 Revenant Caves

Tip: The Chaos Elemental is the best source for large quantities, but its high combat level and PK risk make it suitable only for well-prepared players.

Skilling in the Wilderness

Occasionally, dark fishing bait can be obtained through random events or skilling activities in the Wilderness, such as opening caskets from clue scrolls. However, these are unreliable compared to monster drops.

Buying from the Grand Exchange

For players who don’t want to farm, dark fishing bait is tradeable and typically costs 150-200 GP per unit on the Grand Exchange. Buying in bulk is recommended if you plan to fish dark crabs for extended periods.

Using Dark Fishing Bait to Catch Dark Crabs

Dark crabs are the sole use for dark fishing bait, and catching them requires specific preparation and awareness due to the Wilderness location.

Requirements for Dark Crab Fishing

  • Fishing Level: 85 (90+ recommended for better catch rates).
  • Equipment: Lobster pot and dark fishing bait.
  • Location: Wilderness Resource Area (requires 7,500 GP entry fee unless Elite Wilderness Diary is completed).
  • Optional: Rada’s Blessing (2-8% extra catch chance).

Best Location and Setup

The Wilderness Resource Area, located deep in the Wilderness (level 47-55), is the only place to catch dark crabs. Use the following setup for efficiency:

  • Gear: Three high-defensive items (e.g., Black d’hide, Rune platebody) to deter PKers.
  • Inventory: Lobster pot, dark fishing bait, food (e.g., sharks), and coins to note dark crabs with Piles (50 GP per crab).
  • Teleport: Burning Amulet or Chaos Temple teleport for quick access.

Note: The Resource Area is a hotspot for player-killers, so stay vigilant and avoid bringing valuable items.

Fishing Rates and Profits

At level 85 Fishing, expect to catch around 200-250 dark crabs per hour, yielding 30k-35k Fishing XP and 250k-300k GP. At 99 Fishing with Rada’s Blessing 4, you can catch up to 300 crabs per hour, boosting XP to 40k and profits to 350k GP. These rates assume noting crabs with Piles to maximize inventory space.

Strategies for Ironmen and Low-Budget Players

Ironmen and players with limited funds face unique challenges with dark fishing bait, as they can’t rely on the Grand Exchange. Here’s how to approach it.

Farming Dark Fishing Bait as an Ironman

Ironmen should focus on safer Wilderness monsters like Green Dragons (level 79) in low-level Wilderness areas. A setup with a Bone Crossbow and anti-dragon shield minimizes risk. Expect to gather 500-1,000 bait in a few hours, enough for a dark crab session.

Balancing Risk and Reward

To reduce PK risk, fish during off-peak hours and use the “scout” method: check the Resource Area for PKers before committing to a session. If attacked, prioritize escaping via teleports or logging out over fighting back.

Tips to Maximize Efficiency with Dark Fishing Bait

Whether you’re chasing XP, gold, or both, these tips will help you get the most out of dark fishing bait in 2025.

Optimize Your Gear and Inventory

Wear the Angler’s Outfit (from Fishing Trawler) for a 2.5% XP boost. If you have the Elite Wilderness Diary completed, skip the 7,500 GP entry fee and bring a knife to cut dark crabs for fish chunks, which can be used as bait in other methods like Aerial Fishing.

Combine with Other Wilderness Activities

Since you’re already in the Wilderness, consider multi-tasking. For example, bring a pickaxe to mine runite ore in the Resource Area between fishing cycles, or hunt nearby chinchompas for extra profit.

Use Tick Manipulation for Faster XP

While not necessary, tick manipulation (e.g., using herb and tar) can slightly increase catch rates. This is more relevant for players prioritizing XP over AFK methods, but it’s less common for dark crab fishing due to the Wilderness’s high-risk environment.

Monitor Grand Exchange Prices

Dark crab prices fluctuate based on demand for high-healing food in PvP and PvM. Check the Grand Exchange regularly to ensure fishing remains profitable, and consider selling during price spikes (e.g., after major updates).

Dark fishing bait is a gateway to one of OSRS’s most rewarding high-level fishing methods. By farming bait efficiently, preparing for the Wilderness, and optimizing your setup, you can turn dark crabs into a steady source of XP and gold. Stay cautious, plan your sessions, and enjoy the thrill of fishing in Gielinor’s most dangerous waters!