Pokémon XY - Chain Fishing

Chain fishing is the process of successfully reeling in a number of Pokémon consecutively to increase the likelihood of encountering a shiny Pokémon. The more Pokémon you reel in, the more likely you are to encounter a shiny. The chances start at 1/1000 and increase as long as you don't break your chain. This is perhaps the easiest legitimate method of obtaining shiny Pokémon, and it takes about 30 minutes on average. There are a number of ways to break your chain that you should note (listed below), but let's discuss what you'll need first.

There are a few things you need before you embark on your quest to get a chain shiny. See the image tutorial below for a better description of how to obtain these requirements.

• Old Rod - Ambrette Aquarium
• Good Rod - Coumarine City (via monorail)
• Super Rod - Route 16 house (via Lumiose City)
• Pokémon with Suction Cups, Sticky Hold, or other desired ability
• Pokémon with False Swipe or status move (to help catch the shiny Pokémon)
• Pokeballs

Abilities are well known for their in-battle effects, but some abilities also have hidden overworld effects. The most useful in this situation are Suctions Cups and Sticky Hold, which will increase the likelihood of getting a bite. Paired with the proper fishing location between rocks that will be mentioned in another section, you will have a 100% chance of getting a bite. Other abilities to consider are listed below, but remember, you can only use one. The overworld ability you want to use should be that of the first Pokémon in your party. It's okay if that Pokémon is fainted; the first Pokémon in your party will determine your overworld ability regardless of status.

Abilities to Consider

Suction Cups - Increases the likelihood of getting a bite

Sticky Hold - Increases the likelihood of getting a bite

Synchronize - 50% chance of finding a Pokémon with the same nature

Static - Encounter rates of electric Pokémon increase to 1.5x (only useful for Chinchou/Lanturn)

Cute Charm - 66.6% chance of finding a Pokémon of the opposite gender

If you fish in an area that is enclosed on all but one side (three out of four sides), the likelihood of getting a bite will greatly increase. If the first Pokémon in your party has Suction Cups or Sticky Hold, you will get a bite every time you fish. This is useful because not getting a bite breaks your chain. For more information on breaking chains, refer to the dedicated section below.

According to a researcher from Smogon, switching rods does not break your chain. You can switch freely between the Old Rod, Good Rod, and Super Rod as long as you adhere to the other rules and your chain will remain live. I highly recommend registering each fishing rod you plan to use by going into your key items, selecting the rod, and selecting the register option. Registered key items can be accessed quickly by pressing Y in game.

Another common misconception is that you have to defeat each Pokémon when you find them. While this was true in 4th generation Poke Radar chaining, it is no longer the case with consecutive fishing. You may run or defeat the Pokémon during your chain. You may not, however, catch a Pokémon. If you choose to catch a Pokémon, your chain automatically breaks.

A chain is kept simply by successfully reeling in Pokémon without failing. The species does not matter, and as long as you adhere to the rules below, you will have a shiny in no time at all!

There are several ways to break your chain. The known ways are listed below. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it will cover a wide enough range of rules you must adhere to in order to successfully chain a shiny. If you find that I missed something important, please leave a comment below, and I will expand the list accordingly.

• Failing to get a bite
• Reeling in too early
• Reeling in too late
• Capturing a Pokémon
• Moving out of the area

I hope you found this guide helpful! Please leave a comment and vote in the poll to help the community get a better feel for chain fishing. If there is anything important you think I missed, please let me know below. Getting a shiny Pokémon in XY is very easy if you follow my steps exactly, so get out there and make it happen! If you enjoyed this guide, please check out my other guides and how-to's by visiting my profile. Thanks for reading!