When you start catching fish for Joseph he will give you different fishing rods. You start off with the normal fishing rod.
Salt Water Fish: I'm not sure how many, but give him a lot and he will give you a stiff fishing rod.
Fresh Water Fish: Catch a ton and turn them in and he will give you a flexible fishing rod.
Rarities: Catch the Alligator in the pond near Tracy (I used flexible rod), and he will give you an unusual fishing rod.
I have found that the normal fishing rod works better in the fresh water than the stiff fishing rod. The stiff fishing rod is really just for the salt water. I was using it in the fresh water before I got the flexible rod.
I have not caught the Marlin in the salt water yet, so I don't know if Joseph will give you anything for that.
Oh yeah, use the fish book to tell you how to catch particular fish. For the first 5 fish you catch, of each species, there will be a hint to tell you how to catch more and where to find them.
| Unlockable: | How to unlock: |
| Normal Fishing Rod | Talk to Joseph |
| Stiff Fishing Rod | Turn in salt water fish |
| Flexible Fishing Rod | Turn in fresh water fish |
| Unusual Fishing Rod | Turn in alligator |
hope dat helps
Item How to unlock
Amusing Fishing rod|Nearly Fill Book(really i tried and he said i was doing good job of filling book and he gave me it i made a cool skillscape for fishing in mysims)