Sea Of Thieves: Sell Fish Cooked Or Raw – What Pays More?
Fishing in Sea of Thieves is a relaxing and rewarding activity, offering a welcome break from the chaos of PvP and the grind of voyages. But once you've hauled in a boatload of splashtails, stormfish, or islehoppers, a crucial question arises: should you sell your fish raw, or take the time to cook them first? This guide breaks down the economics of cooked versus raw fish in Sea of Thieves, helping you maximize your profits and become a true fishing tycoon of the high seas.
We'll explore the different fish types, the benefits of cooking, the risks involved, and ultimately, which strategy will fill your coffers the fastest. So grab your fishing rod, fire up your stove, and let's dive in!
The Basics of Fishing and Selling
Before we get into the cooked vs. raw debate, let's quickly recap the fundamentals. You can fish at any body of water in Sea of Thieves. Different locations and bait types attract different species of fish. You'll need to equip your fishing rod, cast your line, and then follow the on-screen prompts to reel in your catch.
Once you have your fish, you can sell them to the Hunter's Call at any Seapost. Merrick and his family are always eager to purchase your aquatic treasures. The price you receive depends on the type of fish, its size (trophy fish are worth more), and whether or not it's cooked.
The Benefits of Cooking Your Fish
Cooking fish in Sea of Thieves isn't just for flavor (though your pirate will appreciate it!). It offers several key advantages:
- Increased Value: This is the main reason we're here. Cooked fish, in general, sell for more than raw fish. The price increase can vary depending on the fish type and how well it's cooked.
- Health Benefits: Eating cooked fish restores a significant amount of health. This can be invaluable during combat or when recovering from injuries.
- Status Effects: Certain types of cooked fish provide temporary status effects, such as increased running speed or improved health regeneration. These buffs can give you an edge in various situations.
- Hunter's Call Reputation: Selling cooked fish earns you more reputation with the Hunter's Call, unlocking commendations and cosmetic rewards.
The Risks of Cooking Your Fish
While cooking offers benefits, it also comes with risks:
- Time Consumption: Cooking takes time, and time is precious on the Sea of Thieves. You're vulnerable while tending to the stove, making you an easy target for opportunistic pirates.
- Burning: Overcooking your fish will result in a burnt offering, which sells for significantly less than a perfectly cooked one. Mastering the cooking process is crucial.
- Resource Management: Cooking requires wood, which you'll need to gather. If you're running low on wood, cooking a large quantity of fish might not be feasible.
- Ship Vulnerability: Being stationary while cooking makes your ship a sitting duck. Always be aware of your surroundings and consider having a crewmate keep watch.
Cooked vs. Raw: A Fish-by-Fish Breakdown
Now, let's get to the heart of the matter: which fish should you cook, and which should you sell raw? Here's a breakdown of some common fish types and the optimal selling strategy:
- Splashtails: These are the most common fish in the game. Sell them raw. The price difference between raw and cooked splashtails is minimal, and the time spent cooking them isn't worth the small increase in profit.
- Pondies: These fish can only be caught at specific ponds on islands. Sell them raw. Similar to Splashtails, the cooking bonus is too small to justify the effort.
- Islehoppers: These fish are found near specific islands and require specific bait. Cook them perfectly. Islehoppers offer a significant price increase when cooked perfectly, making the effort worthwhile. The "perfectly cooked" aspect is key here. A burnt Islehopper is practically worthless.
- Ancientscales: Found in the Ancient Isles region, these fish require leeches as bait. Cook them perfectly. Similar to Islehoppers, the perfectly cooked bonus is significant.
- Wildsplashes: These fish are found in the Shores of Plenty region. Cook them perfectly. Again, the perfectly cooked bonus makes this worthwhile.
- Devilfish: Found in the Devil's Roar region, these fish require grubs as bait. Cook them perfectly. The perfectly cooked Devilfish are quite valuable.
- Battlegills: Found near active Skeleton Forts or Sea Forts, these fish require earthworms as bait. Cook them perfectly. Battlegills are among the most valuable fish, and the perfectly cooked bonus is substantial.
- Stormfish: Found during storms, these fish require no bait. Cook them perfectly. Stormfish are rare and valuable, making the perfectly cooked bonus essential.
- Wreckers: Found near shipwrecks, these fish require no bait. Cook them perfectly. Wreckers offer a good profit margin when cooked well.
General Rule of Thumb: If a fish is relatively common and easy to catch (like Splashtails and Pondies), the cooking bonus is usually too small to justify the time and risk. If a fish is rare, requires specific bait, or is found in dangerous locations (like Devilfish, Battlegills, and Stormfish), the perfectly cooked bonus is almost always worth the effort.
Mastering the Art of Cooking
To maximize your profits from cooking fish, you need to master the art of cooking. Here are some tips:
- Pay Attention: Watch the fish closely as it cooks. The color will change from raw to cooked to burnt.
- Learn the Timing: Each type of fish cooks at a different rate. Experiment to learn the optimal cooking time for each species.
- Use the Right Heat: Don't leave the stove on full blast. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning.
- Practice Makes Perfect: The more you cook, the better you'll become at judging the perfect moment to remove the fish from the stove.
- Consider the "Perfectly Cooked" Visual Cue: Perfectly cooked fish will have a slight glisten to them. This is a visual indicator that it is ready to be taken off the stove.
Maximizing Your Fishing Profits: A Summary
So, to recap, here's how to maximize your fishing profits in Sea of Thieves:
- Target Valuable Fish: Focus on catching rare and valuable fish like Battlegills, Stormfish, and Devilfish.
- Use the Correct Bait: Ensure you have the right bait for the fish you're targeting.
- Cook Strategically: Cook the fish that offer a significant price increase when cooked perfectly. Sell common fish like Splashtails raw.
- Master the Cooking Process: Learn to cook each type of fish perfectly to maximize its value.
- Stay Alert: Be aware of your surroundings while fishing and cooking to avoid becoming a target for other pirates.
- Consider the Risk: Evaluate the risk of cooking versus the potential reward. If you're in a high-traffic area, it might be safer to sell your fish raw.
Final Thoughts
Fishing in Sea of Thieves can be a lucrative and enjoyable activity. By understanding the economics of cooked versus raw fish, you can optimize your profits and become a master angler. Remember to prioritize valuable fish, master the art of cooking, and always be aware of your surroundings. Happy fishing, and may your catches be plentiful! Now get out there and decide, are you going to cook that fish, or sell it raw? The choice, and the profit, is yours!