Identify whether combat, travel, or an attachment objective is blocking your current progress, then inspect the available in-game options for that problem. Do not treat a community boss loadout as the best weapon for every encounter.
Choose an upgrade for the obstacle in front of you, not for an unsupported tier list. The official Steam page confirms that players earn money for better gear and weapons, and that later islands offer stronger gear; it does not publish a complete price, damage, or efficiency table.
Published: August 22, 2026 Last reviewed: August 22, 2026 Game state checked: Steam release build available on the review date.
When combat is the bottleneck
If the current objective is difficult to finish in combat, compare the weapons and gear currently available to you before spending. Steam confirms the broad equipment progression, but it does not establish a damage ranking, a required boss build, or the value of every upgrade.
Community pufferfish discussions mention Uzi and shotgun setups. Those are encounter reports, not comparative testing: a setup that helped one player may not fit another player's available upgrades, objective, or solo/co-op situation.
When travel is the bottleneck
For a travel problem, check boat-engine options rather than buying combat gear by default. Steam's official achievement data includes Getting an upgrade for upgrading the boat engine and I am speed for buying the best boat engine.
The achievement wording confirms those actions exist. It does not say when an engine purchase is the most efficient choice for every player.
When attachments are the goal
If you are working toward an attachment objective, Steam lists Fully equipped for applying all attachments to one weapon. Use the current interface to verify which attachments are available and which weapon they can be applied to.
Avoid inferring attachment effects, prices, or a mandatory order from the achievement name alone.
Community guidance: This page summarizes currently available player findings and has not been independently reproduced by our editorial team. Game updates may change quests, item requirements, spawn behavior, balance, or achievement conditions. Follow the current in-game objective and interface when they differ from this guide.
A cautious spending sequence
- Name the current blocker: combat, travel, or an attachment-related objective.
- Read the in-game option and its cost before committing funds.
- For combat, prefer a setup you can use consistently over an unverified universal recommendation.
- For travel, compare the current engine options with your route and objective.
- Recheck the current objective after an upgrade instead of assuming it resolves every progression problem.
For encounter-specific player reports, see Piranha Boss Guide or Pufferfish Boss Guide. Return to How to Fish Game Guides for early-game and progression help.
Sources
- S001: How to Fish on Steam
Publisher: Dazed Games / Valve Direct URL: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4001890/How_to_Fish/ Accessed: 2026-08-22 Supports: official description of earning money, buying better gear and weapons, and finding better gear on later islands.
- S002: How to Fish Global Achievements
Publisher: Steam Community / Valve Direct URL: https://steamcommunity.com/stats/4001890/achievements/?l=english Accessed: 2026-08-22 Supports: official achievement wording for Getting an upgrade, I am speed, and Fully equipped.
- S009: how do i beat pufferfish? third boss
Publisher: Steam Community Direct URL: https://steamcommunity.com/app/4001890/discussions/0/582805931178533097/ Accessed: 2026-08-22 Supports: community-reported Uzi and shotgun loadouts for one boss encounter, not a game-wide weapon ranking.
This guide reflects the game state and public information available on the dates shown above. It may become inaccurate after patches or content updates. In-game instructions and official developer announcements take priority.