Open with a safe, repeatable loop
In DREDGE, your best early plan in The Marrows is simple: make steady cash in daylight and keep night risk low. Leave from Greater Marrow, fish nearby waters, then return to town and sell at the Fishmonger before it gets too late. Short daytime loops are dependable, and they build both money and confidence without overextending.
Use early money on reliability, not flashy picks. Visit the Shipwright in Greater Marrow (your local repair and equipment vendor, tied to the Dry Dock upgrade path) and prioritize engine speed and cargo space so each trip feels safer and pays better. When you find Research Parts (items used in the Research menu to unlock gear), invest in practical rod and engine upgrades that support the routes you are already running.
First-step priority order
For a smooth opening, follow this order:
- Finish the immediate town tutorial steps (catch fish, sell at the Fishmonger, and meet the Shipwright), then run short daylight fishing loops near Greater Marrow.
- Sell fish every trip, and keep your hold organized so fish fit cleanly with minimal wasted space.
- Pick up dredge materials whenever you can safely do it; these feed directly into early boat upgrades.
- Dock before full night when possible. Panic (the stress system tied to darkness) can trigger hazards you do not need early on.
- After one or two upgrades, extend your route gradually instead of jumping to long night runs.
Stick to that routine and The Marrows becomes a low-risk early cash route, making later exploration feel much less punishing.