Fishing
DREADMOOR Fishing Skill Tree Guide – Research Order & Torn Pages
Last updated: 2026-11-03 · Verified against game version Demo (Oct 2026)
DREADMOOR fishing skill tree explained: every fishing research node, what it costs in Torn Pages, and the order that funds contracts first.

Quick Guide — Key Takeaways
- Most fishing nodes cost 0 Torn Pages — only Deadly Tick costs 5.
- Research Wind-Up Tin first (Softgrazer contract), Rainbow Fin second (Harpooner contract).
- Braided Line is the best comfort upgrade: more tension margin means fewer lost fish.
- Deadly Tick is a late project — it needs Sharpfin Flesh from the level 50 catch.
- Ship research is the expensive tree (2 pages per node); budget pages there after contracts.
The fishing tree is the cheap tree — and that is exactly why players misprioritize it. This guide lays out every fishing research node in the demo, what it costs, and the order that keeps the main quest moving. Recipes and materials are in the recipes and blueprints databases.
How Fishing Research Works
Fishing upgrades are researched in the Mastery interface with Torn Pages (inventory: Scraps of Knowledge), then crafted at the Craft Table. The fishing tree is unusually cheap: every node except one costs 0 pages.
The Fishing Nodes
| Node | Type | Pages | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rod | Rod | 0 | Starting rod — finishes the opening contracts |
| Earthworm | Bait | 0 | Snapper-only starter bait |
| Wind-Up Tin | Bait | 0 | Standard peaceful lure — Softgrazer contract |
| Rainbow Fin | Bait | 0 | Standard predator lure — Harpooner contract |
| Sturdy Earcrawler | Bait | 0 | Peaceful trophy chance |
| Flaming Belly | Bait | 0 | Predator trophy chance |
| Braided Line | Line | 0 | More line-tension margin |
| Reinforced Rod | Rod | 0 | Tires fish faster |
| Baitcasting Reel | Reel | 0 | Faster line recovery |
| Deadly Tick | Bait | 5 | Narrow predator bait (Bonescar, Bully, Rammfish, Stonegnawer) |
Recommended Order
- Wind-Up Tin — gates the three-Softgrazer contract.
- Rainbow Fin — gates the three-Harpooner contract.
- Braided Line — the best comfort pick; fewer snapped lines on class 3 fish.
- Reinforced Rod / Baitcasting Reel — fight quality, either order.
- Ship tree — Weak Hull Protection and Upgraded Engine (2 pages each) before anything optional.
- Deadly Tick — last. Its recipe needs Sharpfin Flesh, so it is a post-route project by design.
FAQ
What should I research first in DREADMOOR?
Wind-Up Tin, then Rainbow Fin — both are free and both gate main-route contracts. After that, Weak Hull Protection and the Upgraded Engine in the ship tree before any optional branch.
How many Torn Pages does the fishing tree cost?
Almost nothing: bait, rod, line and reel nodes cost 0 pages in the demo data. Only the Deadly Tick bait costs 5 pages.
Is the Deadly Tick research worth it?
Only as a late project. It targets just four predators (Bonescar, Bully, Rammfish, Stonegnawer) and its recipe needs Sharpfin Flesh from the level 50 peaceful catch.
Sources
- DREADMOOR — official Steam page
- Verified in-game, October 2026 demo build
Related Guides
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DREADMOOR Fishing Guide – Stamina, Line Tension & Bait Explained
How fishing works in DREADMOOR: the six-step loop, stamina draining, line tension, peaceful vs predatory bait, splash zones, and how to land the Snapper, Softgrazer and Harpooner contracts.
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DREADMOOR Crafting Guide – Workbenches, Recipes & Material Chains
DREADMOOR crafting guide: the Craft Table vs Ship Upgrades Table, where to find every material, Torn Pages research, and the recipes worth crafting first.
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