Expect a shared lure pool
A cast is not a guaranteed Sunfish. Treat The Old Pike as a valid alternate result, not a broken lure.
Island 2 · Forest · Optional mini-boss
How to beat Sunfish
Buy a Beginner Boss Lure on Forest Island and cast with the Fishing Rod. The lure pool contains both Sunfish and The Old Pike, so another boss can answer first. Fight in open ground with a ranged weapon, then sell, cook or keep the catch—Sunfish does not block the story route.
SunfishIsland 2 · Forest
- Trigger
- Beginner Boss Lure
- Setup
- Fishing Rod
- Hand-in
- No story hand-in
- Unlock
- Fishipedia progress and a sellable boss catch
Trigger → fight → hand-in
The complete Sunfish route
- 01 · Buy the right lure
Choose Beginner Boss Lure
The regular Beginner Lure catches ordinary fish. Only the Boss version enters the Sunfish and Old Pike pool.
- 02 · Prepare the shore
Make a clean landing lane
Clear nearby threats and leave enough room to strafe before spending the lure.
- 03 · Run the encounter
Keep the disk-shaped boss in view
Move laterally, fire during safe gaps, and reload only after creating distance.
- 04 · Record the catch
Check Fishipedia before selling
There is no NPC hand-in. Confirm the entry, then decide whether the value is worth cooking or selling.
The fight
Turn the arena into your shield
Pufferfish wins when you stop moving. Your job is to keep clean sand ahead of you and a palm trunk between each charge.
Strafe across its approach
Keep lateral room and avoid backing into the shop or waterline.
Reload after separation
Create space first; do not stop inside contact range for a full reload.
Skip it if progression is the goal
Giant Piranha, not Sunfish, unlocks the next island.
Fix the failed run
What went wrong?
Use the symptom, make one correction, and go again.
You catch The Old Pike instead
That is the same Beginner Boss Lure pool. Buy another lure and cast again for Sunfish.
Only regular fish appear
Check the exact item name. Beginner Lure and Beginner Boss Lure are different.
The fight crowds the shop
Choose a clearer shoreline before casting and pull the encounter away from props.
No island unlock appears
Sunfish is optional. Complete the Giant Piranha quest chain for Desert coordinates.
Fast answers
Sunfish FAQ
What lure catches Sunfish?
Beginner Boss Lure with the Fishing Rod on Forest Island.
Is Sunfish required for the story?
No. It is an optional mini-boss for collection and value.
Why did I catch The Old Pike?
Sunfish and The Old Pike share the Beginner Boss Lure pool.
Guide sources
Gameplay route checked 2026-10-02 for Patch 1.1.3.
- Mobalytics creature and lure roster ↗ — Shared Beginner Boss Lure pool and optional encounter classification.