Fishing in Minecraft isn’t just about catching fish—it’s your ticket to rare loot, enchanted books, and even name tags. But nothing kills the vibe faster than your trusty fishing rod snapping at the worst moment.
Luckily, you don’t always need to craft a new one. Whether you’ve got an anvil, a crafting table, or a Mending book, there are easy ways to fix your rod and get back to fishing. Let’s break down the best repair methods so you never lose your perfect catch again!
How Do You Repair a Fishing Rod in Minecraft?
If your fishing rod is on its last legs, you’ve got three solid ways to fix it:
- Anvil Repair – Best for keeping enchantments intact.
- Crafting Grid Merge – Quick fix, but loses enchantments.
- Mending Enchantment – The ultimate “set it and forget it” solution.
Each method has its perks, so let’s dive into the details.
Repairing a Fishing Rod with an Anvil
Anvils are the go-to for repairing enchanted gear, and fishing rods are no exception. Unlike the crafting grid, anvils preserve all your hard-earned enchantments while boosting durability.
Here’s how it works:
- Place your damaged rod in the first slot.
- Add another fishing rod (or sticks + string) in the second slot.
- Grab your repaired rod—good as new!
Pro Tip: If you’re repairing an enchanted rod, always use an anvil. Crafting table repairs wipe enchantments clean!
Fixing a Fishing Rod in the Crafting Grid
No anvil? No problem. If you’re in a pinch, toss two worn-out rods into a crafting grid:
- Place both rods side by side.
- The output will be a single rod with combined durability + 5%.
Downsides?
- All enchantments vanish—brutal if you’ve got Luck of the Sea III.
- Less efficient than an anvil, but works in a hurry.
This method’s best for early-game rods before you’ve stacked enchantments.
Using the Mending Enchantment (The Best Long-Term Fix)
Why repair your rod when it can fix itself? The Mending enchantment turns XP into free durability repairs—perfect for endless fishing sessions.
How to get Mending:
- Trade with a Librarian Villager (emeralds + patience).
- Loot chests in End Cities or Bastions.
- Apply it via an enchanted book + anvil.
Bonus Power Move: Pair Mending with Unbreaking III, and your rod might outlast your Minecraft world.
Other Useful Fishing Rod Tips & Tricks
Want to max out your fishing game? A few pro tips:
- Avoid durability waste – Reel in before your hook hits a mob or block.
- Best enchantments:
- Luck of the Sea III (better treasure).
- Lure III (faster catches).
- Unbreaking III (way less wear and tear).
- AFK Fishing Farms – Auto-fish while you snack (just check your rod’s durability!).
FAQs
Can you put Mending on a fishing rod in Minecraft?
Absolutely! Mending + fishing rods = a match made in Minecraft heaven. Just slap it on with an anvil, and your rod will heal every time you earn XP.
How to fix a stuck fishing rod?
If your line won’t reel in:
- Move closer to the bobber.
- Break the block it’s stuck on.
- Re-log if it’s glitched (classic Minecraft fix).
How to make a fishing rod work in Minecraft?
Just right-click to cast, wait for the splash, then reel in. If it’s not working:
- Check you’re near deep enough water.
- Make sure your rod isn’t broken.
Does repairing reset a fishing rod’s durability completely?
Nope! Repairing adds durability from the second rod/materials—it doesn’t fully reset. For a “like-new” rod, use Mending or merge with a fresh one.
