Croc is the rod giver
Two independent playthroughs agree on who hands over the rod. NAC Games, in a September 27, 2026 demo session, and LadyShelab, in a November 12, 2025 session, both receive fishing equipment from Croc. Because the two recordings come from different creators and different builds, the giver is the most reliable fact about this unlock.
What differs between them is the route that leads you to Croc. The quests before the hand-off changed between the 2025 and 2026 demos. That is why this guide separates the confirmed giver from the version-specific steps. Knowing who to visit saves time even when the quest wording on your screen looks different.
The September 2026 route via Nancy
The most recent observed route starts with a delivery task from Nancy. In the NAC Games video, between roughly 48:54 and 50:16, Nancy asks the player to deliver mail, and the delivery leads to Croc. Croc's dialogue then grants fishing equipment along with some guidance on how to use it.
- Pick up Nancy's introductory task. It appears among the early town quests.
- Deliver the mail to Croc. Follow the quest marker or journal entry.
- Talk to Croc. His dialogue hands over the rod and explains fishing.
This is the route to expect in recent demo builds. If your journal shows a different active quest, complete it first and check again. Small differences in wording are normal, but the destination should still be Croc.
When the task appears
In the September session, the delivery task shows up after a restaurant-star event. That timing suggests the quest is tied to early restaurant progress, so running your first shifts is part of the path. However, a universal star requirement for the rod has not been independently confirmed.
Do not assume you must reach a specific rating before fishing becomes available. Instead, keep working through the opening restaurant tasks and watch for new quests in town. The beginner guide covers that opening checklist in order. Fishing is meant to open naturally as you settle into town, not after a long grind.
The older 2025 route
LadyShelab's November 2025 recording shows an earlier version of this unlock. Between about 15:04 and 16:28, a quest sends the player to Croc, who hands over an old fishing rod. That build arrived much earlier in the session than the 2026 route does.
This older route confirms the giver but not the current prerequisites. If you are watching a 2025 video for help, expect its quest order and timing to differ from your game. Use it as background rather than a step-by-step guide for the current demo. It is still useful for seeing how Croc's hand-off and the first fishing attempt look.
Use the quest journal to find Croc
The quest journal is your most reliable guide to the rod. It was introduced in the May 2025 demo update together with a guidance system for quests. When a walkthrough and your journal disagree, the journal reflects your current build.
Check the journal after each new day and whenever an NPC gives you a task. Introductory town quests lead toward fishing, farming and other activities beyond the restaurant. Following them in order is the surest way to reach Croc without guessing. Tracking the active quest also keeps its marker visible while you move around town.
Equip the rod with the tool wheel
Getting the rod does not put it in your hand automatically. In LadyShelab's session, the rod is selected through the tool wheel at around 06:22 and again at 31:19. Open the tool wheel, pick the rod and then walk to the water.
The same wheel holds other tools, such as the watering can used for farming. If fishing does not start, first check that the rod, not another tool, is the one equipped. That simple check solves many "cannot fish" moments. It is worth reopening the wheel after farming, since the last tool you used stays selected.
Starting to fish once equipped
With the rod equipped, stand at a recognized fishing spot and begin. In February 2025, a developer reply on the Steam forum said fishing starts with the left mouse button or the right bumper on a controller. Treat those as historical controls and follow the prompt shown in your current build.
The fishing minigame itself was changed in the May 2025 demo update. The October 1, 2026 patch then improved fishing hints and the detection of fishing spots. If nothing happens, you may simply be standing outside a recognized spot rather than doing anything wrong.
If the rod quest does not appear
Quest order can depend on your progress and on the build you are playing. If Nancy's task has not appeared yet, continue your restaurant shifts and talk to the townsfolk you meet. Your journal will show a new entry when the next step becomes available.
If you already have a different active quest, finish that one first. Older walkthroughs may skip steps that exist in the current demo, which can make it look like something is missing. When in doubt, the current journal entry and on-screen prompts take priority over any video.
What to do with your first catches
Once you can fish, your catches become restaurant ingredients. Catfish sashimi is a confirmed simple dish: slice the fish, place it on a plate and serve. The recipes guide covers that recipe and how to read the cookbook.
Recent footage also shows a fish-selling interaction, so surplus catches can earn some money. Sale values were not independently checked, so this guide does not list prices. For catching techniques and what changed in the minigame, read the fishing guide.
What is not confirmed
Some rod details often repeated online could not be verified. There is no confirmed shop price for a fishing rod, and no evidence that every player starts the game with one. A required restaurant star rating for the rod quest is also unconfirmed.
This guide is based on demo builds, not a hands-on test of the Early Access release. When the full version is documented, the route will be rechecked and dated. Until then, remember the one constant: Croc is the person to see. If the full release changes the route, this page will say so clearly.
Sources and further reading
- Just a Cozy Lil Guy Running a Chaotic Restaurant! — NAC Games
- Farming, Fishing, Questing, and Running a Restaurant In this Adorable Town!! — LadyShelab
- PAO PAO Demo Update #2
- PAO PAO Demo Impressions — LadiesGamers
- cannot fishing — Steam developer reply
- Pao Pao Second Patch is Live!
- New Player — Steam developer reply
- PAO PAO — Steam store