Fast Money Loop for New Captains
If you want fast money early in DREDGE, focus on short, repeatable trips with almost no downtime. Start around The Marrows and run a tight daytime loop: fill your hold with nearby fish, dock before late night, sell to the Fishmonger in Greater Marrow (your first fish buyer), then undock again at first light. Early on, consistent runs beat risky long trips.
As soon as you can, add two passive income tools: a trawl net (a net that catches fish while your boat is moving) and crab pots (traps you leave in the water and collect later). Drop pots on routes you already travel, not in random far-off spots. That makes every trip pay twice: active fishing in your rod slots, plus passive catches from nets and pots.
Highest-Profit Habits Per Day
Use this order each in-game day to maximize earnings without gambling on panic-heavy nights:
- Leave port at first light and fish the closest productive nodes first so cargo fills quickly.
- Keep your hold organized by fish size and shape so fewer slots get wasted.
- Collect and reset crab pots on your return path, then sell immediately.
- Repair only when needed; spend early profits on engine speed and cargo space first to increase money per day.
- Only fish after dark when you choose to. Night panic (your fear level that can trigger hazards and visual distortions) can slow runs and reduce consistency.
Once you are stable, add selected aberrations (mutated fish variants) when they appear on safe routes. They often sell for more than normal fish, but do not chase them deep into dangerous night water if it breaks your loop. In DREDGE, the best farming method is simple: fast route, full hold, frequent sales, and passive gear always working.