OSRS Harpoon Fishing F2P: The Ultimate Guide to Leveling and Profit

OSRS Harpoon Fishing F2P: The Ultimate Guide to Leveling and Profit


Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a variety of skills to master, and Fishing is one of the most relaxing yet rewarding options, especially for free-to-play (F2P) players. Among the many fishing methods available, harpoon fishing stands out as a key technique for catching high-value fish like tuna and swordfish. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about OSRS harpoon fishing in F2P worlds—how to get started, the best spots, experience rates, profit potential, and tips to optimize your gameplay. Whether you’re aiming for level 99 Fishing or just looking to make some gold, this blog post has you covered!

Harpoon fishing is a method that becomes available to F2P players at level 35 Fishing, allowing you to catch tuna, and later swordfish at level 50. Unlike other methods that require bait or nets, harpoon fishing is straightforward and inventory-friendly, making it a popular choice for players who want a low-effort, high-reward activity.

What You Need to Begin

To start harpoon fishing, you’ll need just one item: a harpoon. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Harpoon: Available for purchase at fishing shops like Gerrant’s Fishy Business in Port Sarim for 45 coins. You can also find a free spawn inside the Fishing Guild (though this is irrelevant for F2P players since the Guild is P2P-only).
  • Fishing Level: Minimum of 35 to catch tuna; 50 to catch swordfish.
  • Inventory Space: No bait is required, so you can dedicate all 28 inventory slots to fish if you’re banking them.

Why Choose Harpoon Fishing?

Harpoon fishing is ideal for F2P players because it balances experience gains with profit potential. Tuna and swordfish are in demand at the Grand Exchange, offering a steady income stream while you train. Plus, it’s less click-intensive than fly fishing, making it a semi-AFK option for those who prefer a laid-back grind.

Best Harpoon Fishing Spots for F2P Players

Best Harpoon Fishing Spot Runescape

Location is everything in OSRS, and harpoon fishing is no exception. In F2P worlds, your options are limited, but the available spots are efficient if used correctly. Let’s explore the top locations.

Musa Point (Karamja)

Musa Point, located on the island of Karamja, is the go-to harpoon fishing spot for F2P players. It’s accessible, reliable, and offers decent catch rates.

  • How to Get There: Take the ship from Port Sarim to Karamja for 30 coins. Head north from the dock past the banana plantation to find the harpoon spot.
  • Fish Available: Tuna (level 35), Swordfish (level 50).
  • Pros: Close to the ship for banking, popular among F2P fishers.
  • Cons: 30-coin fare each way adds up if banking frequently.

Corsair Cove Resource Area

Unlocked after completing the quests Dragon Slayer I and The Corsair Curse, Corsair Cove is a hidden gem for F2P harpoon fishing.

  • How to Get There: Travel south from Feldip Hills or use a Rimmington teleport and walk west.
  • Fish Available: Tuna (level 35), Swordfish (level 50).
  • Pros: No travel cost, closer to a bank via Rimmington.
  • Cons: Requires quest completion, less populated so spots may be harder to find.

Which Spot Should You Choose?

For most players, Musa Point is the better starting point due to its accessibility. However, if you’ve completed the necessary quests, Corsair Cove can save you gold and time in the long run. Test both to see which fits your playstyle!

Experience Rates and Leveling Up

Harpoon fishing isn’t the fastest way to 99 Fishing in F2P, but it’s a solid mid-to-late game method. Here’s what you can expect in terms of experience and progression.

XP Per Catch

The experience you gain depends on the fish you catch:

Fish Fishing Level Required XP Per Catch
Tuna 35 80
Swordfish 50 100

At Musa Point, your hourly XP depends on your Fishing level and whether you drop or bank your catches:

  • Level 35-49 (Tuna only): ~14,000–17,000 XP/hour.
  • Level 50-75 (Tuna + Swordfish): ~17,000–20,000 XP/hour.
  • Level 75+: ~20,000–25,000 XP/hour with higher swordfish catch rates.

Dropping tuna and banking swordfish can slightly boost XP rates by reducing downtime, though this sacrifices some profit.

Fastest Path to 99 Fishing

While harpoon fishing is viable, it’s not the quickest F2P method. For comparison:

  • Fly Fishing (Trout/Salmon): Up to 40,000 XP/hour at higher levels, but no profit.
  • Harpoon Fishing: Caps at ~25,000 XP/hour, with profit as a bonus.

If your goal is pure speed, switch to fly fishing at Barbarian Village or Lumbridge until level 70, then transition to harpoon fishing for a hybrid XP/profit approach.

Making Gold with Harpoon Fishing

One of the biggest draws of harpoon fishing in F2P is its profitability. Tuna and swordfish fetch decent prices at the Grand Exchange, making this a great money-making method for low-to-mid-level players.

Profit Per Hour

Here’s a rough estimate based on average catch rates and current GE prices (as of April 2025):

  • Tuna: ~63 GP each, ~100 caught/hour = ~6,300 GP/hour.
  • Swordfish: ~91 GP each, ~75 caught/hour = ~6,825 GP/hour.
  • Total at Level 50+: ~13,000–15,000 GP/hour (assuming a mix of tuna and swordfish).

Subtract the 60 GP round-trip fare to Karamja if banking, and you’re still netting a tidy sum for an F2P skill.

Banking vs. Dropping

Your profit strategy depends on how you handle your inventory:

  • Banking: Maximize profit by selling all fish at the GE. Use the Karamja ship to deposit at Port Sarim or trade at the Karamja General Store for faster cycles (though lower prices).
  • Dropping Tuna: Keep swordfish for profit (~7,000–8,000 GP/hour) and drop tuna to boost XP rates.

For pure profit, banking is the way to go. For a balance of XP and gold, drop tuna and bank swordfish.

Cooking for Extra Value

If you’re dual-training Cooking, cook your fish on Karamja using a fire (bring an axe and tinderbox). Cooked swordfish sell for ~150 GP each, boosting your hourly profit to ~18,000–20,000 GP/hour at higher levels, though this slows your Fishing XP gains.

Tips and Tricks for Efficient Harpoon Fishing

To get the most out of your harpoon fishing sessions, consider these expert tips:

Optimize Your Inventory

Since harpoons don’t require bait, you can fill your inventory entirely with fish. If banking, bring a few coins for the Karamja fare. If cooking, pack an axe and tinderbox to save trips.

Minimize Travel Time

At Musa Point, fish until your inventory is full, then sell to the General Store for quick cycles (despite lower prices). At Corsair Cove, use the Rimmington bank to cut down on travel costs.

Boost Catch Rates

F2P players don’t have access to boosts like the Dragon Harpoon or Angler’s Outfit, but leveling up naturally increases your success rate. Focus on hitting level 50 quickly to unlock swordfish, then push to 75+ for better consistency.

Avoid Crowds

Musa Point can get busy, especially on popular worlds. Hop to a less populated world (e.g., 300s or 400s) to secure a spot and avoid competition.

Harpoon fishing in OSRS F2P is a fantastic way to train Fishing while earning a steady income. Whether you’re spearing tuna at Musa Point or banking swordfish from Corsair Cove, this method offers a rewarding grind for players of all levels. Start at level 35, pick your spot, and watch your Fishing level—and gold pile—grow. Tight lines, and happy fishing!