So, this is an elaboration on the quickie post I made here.

I had an idea in order to alleviate the cries when folks lose their fishing rods, it involves replacing fishing rods with bait. This is only a suggestion for Paul, if the community likes it, then, bonus!

Here is how it would work.

Fishing Rods will no longer drop in catacombs.
The Pond will now provide you with a durable rod to use, perhaps about the equivalent of a 25 durability rod that you would normally be using for the rank of fishing.
Bait will now drop in catacombs, with the same "durability" values that the Fishing Rods dropped at per tier. Would have to come up with a new list (ie, Plankton, Krill, Anchovie, Worm, etc..)
The Bait durability would add that much life/mana per fish UP TO the max for that tier of fish that you caught. I was thinking that if we had tiered Bait, the added life/mana would only work on the equivalent tier of fish. EG, you are using a Tier III bait with +40 durability, and your fish is a Cod Fish with a roll of 270, this will cap your fish out at 300. Likewise, if you catch a value 80 Cod Fish, it ends up as 120.
The Snags in fishing will stay, as this will give you a chance to lose your bait.
As for all the existing fishing rods in the game, I'd say just turn them into bait.

Thoughts? Critiques?

Has Potential

I like part of the idea, changing the pond supplied rod. I'll vote has potential, but Im not crazy about the bait idea. Its actually pretty cool, but seems like it would require a lot of time to implement for something as small as fishing.

Maybe as a quicker/easier but less game altering change the donor rod that the pond supplies could be as powerful as white rods of your current prof level. Rods found in catas from now on can only be magical+. This would remove the needing of welling them and allow someone whos broke a way to level up fishing without relying on others. People with rods will still have the advantage tho of course.

I like the Idea
Voted Has potential!

Its fine the way it is.

I had to overpay for dura rods or suffer with white ones, anyone who wants to pass me should too

Also I had to fish uphill both ways in the snow and I only got really good at fishing when I switched to whiskey.

there's no doubt that fishing was tough to do a few years ago, I remember.

It's all about trying to win players now though

Interesting idea, could use some more additions and thought. I wouldn't be surprised if this is in some way added into the game, though I doubt rods will ever be removed, but perhaps it will spark an idea that will make fishing more fun/productive later on in the next year or so. Would like to see more players climbing the ladder to make this skill as useful as it could be for the community, like when the shrine is removed.

Personally, I prefer Crank-baits

I Don't Care