Willy's Fish Shop in Stardew Valley
Image by Destructoid

How to get and use the Sonar Bobber in Stardew Valley

To reel or not to reel

One of the new items added into Stardew Valley with the 1.6 update is something to really help with Fishing, especially if you’re hunting for a specific Fish — the Sonar Bobber. This Bobber not only looks🐬 cool, but comes with a huge perk. Here’s how to get one and how it🔯 works. 

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The Sonar Bobber is a type of Tackle that can be placed onto an Iridium or Advanced Iridium Rod (gained through the Fishing Mastery). It allows you to see exactly𓂃 what you’re catching before you reel it in, giving you the chance to let the fish drop if it’💖s not one you want, saving you time and energy.

How to get a Sonar Bobber

Crafting a Sonar Bobber in Stardew Valley
Screenshot by Destructoid

Once you reach Fishing level 6, ♌you automatically unlock the craftin🍸g recipe for a Sonar Bobber:

  • 1 Iron Bar
  • 2 Refined Quartz

Other than this, there are a couple of ways to get your hands on one or more Sonar Bobbers. If you’re in a hurry or lack resources, you can visit Willy’s Fish Shop and pick up Sonar Bobbers for 500 Gold each. It may also appear randomly in the Traveling Cart, though the cost is higher and can be anywhere between 750 Gold and 1🃏,250 Gold. 

Outside of purchasiওng a Sonar Bobber, you can also so𓄧metimes find them in Fishing Treasure Chests. 

How to use a Sonar Bobber

Fishing with the Sonar Bobber in Stardew Valley
Screenshot by Destructoid

The Sonar Bobber can only be equipped on either an Iridium Rod or an Advanced Iridium Rod. While the Iridium Rod can attach one tackle item at a time, the Advanced version can be equipped with tw❀o. Having said that, there’s not much point equipping two Sonar Bobbers to one rod, because it doesn’t make any difference to the Fishing experience. 

To equip a Bobber of any sort, open up your inventory and left-click on it, before right-clicking on your chosen Rod. When you go Fishing with the Sonar Bobber attached, you’ll see a small box at the top right of the minigame interface. Inside this box, you’ll be able to see exactly what’s taken the bait, allowing you to choose between reeling it in and letting it go. If you’re catching trash, or Jellies for that matter, you won’t get a little preview window.

Sonar Bobbers have limited use, ๊so you might want to have backups with you if you want to have a long Fishing session. Bear in mind that Tackles do not stack inside your inventory, so you’ll need to balance your space wisely.


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Paula Vaynshteyn
With her first experience of gaming being on an Atari ST, Paula has been gaming for her entire life. She’s 7,000 hours deep into Final Fantasy XIV, spends more time on cozy games than she would care to admit, and is also your friendly resident Whovian. Juggling online adventuring with family life has its struggles, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.