Deep Sea Trawling is one of the most rewarding Fishing activities in Old School RuneScape, introduced alongside the Sailing skill. Unlike traditional “stand still and fish” methods, deep-sea trawling offers a fast-paced, engaging, and highly profitable experience. With the right ship setup, net management, and smart route selection, players can haul in thousands of high-value fish per hour while gaining impressive Sailing and Fishing experience. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to succeed on the open seas.

Boat Setup for Deep Sea Trawling

Before setting sail, you need a suitable ship. A sloop is ideal for deep-sea trawling because it can house all essential facilities for maximum efficiency. To take full advantage of this activity, ensure your levels meet the following requirements:

Skill Minimum Level Recommended Level

Sailing 84 93

Construction 78 84

Fishing 86 91

If you’re short on levels, OSRS skill boosting services can help you reach the necessary thresholds quickly.

Recommended Ship Build

· Boat type: Ironwood/Rosewood Sloop

· Cargo hold: Ironwood/Rosewood

· Helm: Adamant/Rune/Dragon

· Mast and Sails: Ironwood/Rosewood Cotton Sails

· Keel: Rune/Dragon

· Brazier: Eternal brazier

Facilities:

· Front: Inoculation station, 2 cotton trawling nets

· Middle: Fathom stone, chum spreader, crystal extractor (optional), cooking range (optional)

· Back: 2 keg barrels, advanced/normal teleport focus, wind/gale catcher

This setup maximises both fish and experience per hour. Better cargo storage extends trips, a chum spreader increases catch rates, and double keg barrels improve both Sailing and Fishing experience. For those lacking in-game funds, OSRS gold services can help you acquire these items quickly and securely.

Deep Sea Trawling Mechanics

Net Management and Shoals

Before fishing, equip your Angler’s outfit to maximise experience gains and bring fine fish off-cuts along with empty fish crates. Off-cuts increase the number of fish caught per hour, while crates extend your trip by storing up to 10 fish each.

Shoals are areas where fish congregate. Proper net depth is crucial:

· Low-level shoals: shallow depth

· Mid-level shoals: shallow and moderate depths

· High-level shoals: shallow, moderate, and deep depths

Shoal depth changes are indicated by visual and chatbox cues. Red text alerts you if nets are at the wrong depth. The depth visuals are:

· Shallow: Two pulsating waves with visible fish

· Moderate: Single pulsating wave

· Deep: Thin, single pulsating wave

Use the Sailing interface to adjust net depth in real time. Always empty your nets when the shoal moves to automatically transfer fish into crates.

Pro tip: Fish near docks to allow your crewmates to bank cargo efficiently.

Crewmates

To optimize efficiency, hire the following crewmates:

· Cabin Boy Jenkins: Operates the second net

· Jolly Jim: Manages the chum spreader

· Spotter Virginia: Steers the ship

· Ex-Captain Siad: Repairs the ship and handles emergencies

Shoal Guide

Giant Krill Shoal

· Fishing Level: 69

· Depth: Shallow only

· Drops: Raw giant krill (heals 17 HP) or fish offcuts

· Best Locations: Simian Sea, Great Sound

Avoid Sunset Bay due to shark hazards.

Haddock Shoal

· Fishing Level: 73

· Depth: Shallow

· Drops: Raw haddock (heals 18 HP), fish offcuts, haddock eyes

· Best Location: Misty Sea

Yellowfin Shoal

· Fishing Level: 79

· Depth: Shallow & Moderate

· Drops: Raw yellowfin (heals 19 HP), fine fish offcuts, yellow fins

· Best Location: Deepfin Point

Bring 10–20 mahogany repair kits for safety.

Halibut Shoal

· Fishing Level: 83

· Depth: Shallow & Moderate

· Drops: Raw halibut (heals 20 HP), fine fish offcuts

· Best Location: Port Roberts

Port Roberts is close to the docks, but watch out for pygmy and armoured krakens.

Bluefin Shoal

· Fishing Level: 87

· Depth: Shallow, Moderate, Deep

· Drops: Raw bluefin (heals 22 HP), fine fish offcuts

· Best Location: Rainbow Reef

Rainbow Reef is safer but farther from the docks.

Marlin Shoal

· Fishing Level: 91

· Depth: Shallow, Moderate, Deep

· Drops: Raw marlin (heals 24 HP), fine fish offcuts, marlin scales

· Best Location: Brittle Isle (safe) or Weissmere (requires repair kits for armoured krakens)

Marlin is the most profitable fish and provides the highest healing food in the game.

Special Shoals

Occasionally, Shimmering, Glistening, or Vibrant shoals spawn, offering mixed fish and higher chances of Angler’s Paint rewards:

· Shimmering Shoal (Lvl 69): Giant krill, haddock, yellowfin, halibut

· Glistening Shoal (Lvl 76): Yellowfin, halibut, bluefin, marlin

· Vibrant Shoal (Lvl 86): Bluefin, marlin

Conclusion

Deep Sea Trawling is a highly rewarding activity in OSRS, providing fast experience and lucrative profits for those who plan carefully. By following this guide, optimizing your boat setup, managing nets efficiently, choosing the safest and most productive routes, and employing the right crewmates, you can dominate the seas and reap the rewards of the deep.

For more OSRS guides and tips, visit our RS Guides blog for comprehensive tutorials covering all aspects of Old School RuneScape.