I still remember the day the 2.1 update hit Teyvat—it was 2021, a time when miHoYo decided to throw a fishing rod into the hands of every Traveler and say, “Go relax.” Now, in 2026, fishing has become such a staple of daily life in Genshin Impact that I almost forget it was once brand-new. But one thing that never gets old is chasing after The Catch, that magnificent 4-star polearm which turned the Raiden Shogun from an already fearsome Archon into a burst-damage monster. Whether you’re a veteran returning after a long hiatus or a fresh-faced adventurer just unlocking Inazuma, getting your hands on The Catch is still one of the smartest moves you can make. Let me walk you through every step, from bait to blade, so you won’t have to stumble around aimlessly like I did on my first attempt.

the-catch-polearm-guide-fishing-ascension-materials-and-more-image-0

So, where does the journey begin? Head to the Byakko Plains, just a short glide from Inazuma City. Near the shoreline, you’ll spot an NPC named Nantuck, a member of the Inazuma Fishing Association. Back in the day, I almost missed him because he was tucked away so quietly—doesn't he look like just another background character? But once you strike up a conversation, he offers a selection of items in exchange for fish, and The Catch is the star attraction. The price might seem steep at first: 6 Raimei Angelfish, 20 Golden Koi, and 20 Rusty Koi. Believe me, I groaned when I saw those numbers. But the weapon is completely free and permanently available, so patience becomes your best ally.

Before you can even think about filling that fish quota, you’ll need the right equipment. Make sure you’ve completed the introductory fishing quest given by the Mondstadt Fishing Association—yes, the one with the surprisingly philosophical fisherman near Cider Lake—to obtain your first rod and the recipe for Fruit Paste Bait. Golden Koi and Rusty Koi both love that bait, so you can craft a batch of ten and start farming spots like the pond near Stormterror’s Lair or the waters around Wangshu Inn. Those koi are plentiful, and with a bit of patience you’ll have your 40 in no time. The real challenge is the Raimei Angelfish. These crackling beauties are only found on the wrecked ship east of Tatarasuna, and they respond exclusively to False Worm Bait. Don’t forget to bring a bow character to hit the electro barrier mechanisms if the water is still electrified—I learned that the hard way by getting zapped into respawn. The scene itself is breathtaking: a stormy sky, thunderstruck ruins, and you, a humble fisher, trying to snag six fish while lightning crashes around you. It’s pure Inazuma drama.

Once you’ve gathered all the required fish, return to Nantuck and watch your inventory light up with a shiny new polearm. But wait—do you think the grind ends there? Far from it. The Catch truly shines when you refine it to R5, and that means collecting more fish for Ako’s Sake Vessel refinement materials. Each vessel costs 2 Raimei Angelfish, 4 Golden Koi, and 4 Rusty Koi, and you need four of them to hit R5. So yes, the total fish count climbs to 14 Raimei Angelfish, 36 Golden Koi, and 36 Rusty Koi. Is all this effort worth it? Absolutely. An R5 Catch boosts Elemental Burst DMG by 32% and Burst CRIT Rate by 12%, which pairs insanely well with the Raiden Shogun, Xiangling, or even Thoma if you’re feeling creative. Since the weapon also grants 45.9% Energy Recharge at level 90, it solves energy issues for burst-reliant supports without needing to sacrifice crit stats on artifacts.

Now, let’s talk about the ascension climb. You’ll be hunting down quite a few materials scattered across Inazuma and beyond. Here’s a clean table of what each level demands:

Ascension Level Materials Required Mora
1 3x Mask of the Wicked Lieutenant, 3x Chaos Gear, 2x Spectral Husk 5,000
2 3x Mask of the Tiger’s Bite, 12x Chaos Gear, 8x Spectral Husk 15,000
3 6x Mask of the Tiger’s Bite, 6x Chaos Axis, 6x Spectral Heart 20,000
4 3x Mask of the One-Horned, 12x Chaos Axis, 9x Spectral Heart 30,000
5 3x Mask of the One-Horned, 12x Chaos Axis, 9x Spectral Heart 35,000
6 4x Mask of the Kijin, 18x Chaos Oculus, 12x Spectral Nucleus 45,000

The masks drop from the Court of Flowing Sand domain on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays—how convenient is that for planning your resin? Chaos components are harvested from Ruin Sentinels, which are all over Inazuma and the Chasm, and Spectral drops come from those floating ghost-like Specters. I remember camping Specter islands for hours, gently poking them with a claymore and hoping they wouldn’t enrage and self-destruct. Pro tip: bring a healer, because corrosion from rifthounds isn’t the only thing that can slowly drain your party.

Because we’re now in 2026, you might worry that newer weapons have powercrept The Catch. Honestly, it’s still a top-tier free-to-play option, especially for on-field or sub-DPS characters who crave energy. The release of Fontaine’s pipe sword and other event weapons gave us alternatives, but nothing matches The Catch’s perfect synergy with the Raiden Shogun. Plus, fishing spots have only gotten easier to access thanks to the quick travel points added in subsequent regions, so there’s really no excuse not to grab it. Even if you’re pulling on the latest 5-star weapon banner, refining The Catch remains a rite of passage—a badge of honor that says, “I braved the stormy seas of Tatarasuna and came back with a chef’s knife fit for an Archon.”

After all this time, do I still fish for fun? Sometimes. When resin is capped and all my commissions are done, I’ll teleport to a quiet spot, cast a line, and reminisce about that first week of 2.1 excitement. If you’re reading this and haven’t started the grind yet, take a deep breath, equip your finest fishing rod, and go make Nantuck proud. The Catch is waiting, and it’s every bit as good as the day it debuted.