For years, Red Dead Redemption 2 players have patiently cast lines into the game’s picturesque waterways, embracing the peaceful rhythm of traditional fishing. But a recent revelation on Reddit has uncovered a radically different approach: fishing with dynamite. This explosive alternative, shared by user IronGreyWarHorse, offers a dramatically faster – though ecologically disastrous – method of harvesting fish that many players never realized was possible.
How Dynamite Fishing Works
The process is brutally simple:
- Acquire Dynamite: Available at fences or through crafting
- Find Fish-Rich Waters: Look for visibly active fish populations
- Toss and Explode: Throw dynamite into concentrated fish areas
- Collect Results: Multiple fish will float to the surface stunned or dead
The method proves exceptionally effective for:
- Mass harvesting: Catches multiple fish simultaneously
- Time efficiency: Eliminates waiting for bites
- Difficult species: Reaches fish that ignore bait
The Consequences of Explosive Fishing
Rockstar’s attention to detail ensures this shortcut doesn’t come free:
- Karma Penalty: Honor level decreases with each explosive catch
- Environmental Impact: Creates floating fish carnage in pristine waters
- Realism Factor: Based on actual historical fishing practices (though universally outlawed today)
As one Redditor noted: “You do get bad karma for such an action, but it doesn’t stop it from being satisfying.”
Why This Discovery Matters
Beyond the amusement factor, dynamite fishing demonstrates:
- RDR2’s Hidden Depth: Six years after release, players still discover new mechanics
- Moral Systems Matter: The honor system actually impacts gameplay choices
- Player Creativity: The game encourages emergent solutions beyond intended mechanics
- Historical Accuracy: Reflects actual 19th-century fishing practices (however destructive)
The Ethical Dilemma: Rod vs Explosives
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing Rod | Honor increase, peaceful, realistic | Time-consuming, requires patience |
| Dynamite | Instant results, mass collection | Honor decrease, environmental damage |
The choice embodies the broader honor system that defines Arthur Morgan’s moral journey throughout the game.
Try It Yourself (But Maybe Save First)
For players curious to experiment:
- Manual Save first to preserve your honor rating
- Visit a Fence to purchase dynamite or craft it with animal fat
- Find Active Waters (Lake Isabella and O’Creagh’s Run are excellent spots)
- Observe the Carnage – but don’t say we didn’t warn you about the karma hit
Also, Read
- Red Dead Redemption 2 Mod Adds 100+ Dynamic Hideouts & Ambushes
- Red Dead Redemption 2 Players Discover Hidden Clothing Customization After 7 Years
- Red Dead Redemption 2’s Secret Fishing Mission Dialogue Stuns Fans – “I Love This Game!”
Why Rockstar Included This Feature
The developers likely included dynamite fishing to:
- Historical Authenticity: Dynamite fishing was practiced in the late 1800s
- Player Freedom: Encourages creative problem-solving
- Moral Complexity: Provides another honor system test
- Emergent Gameplay: Allows players to discover unconventional solutions
Red Dead Redemption 2 continues to reveal its secrets years after release, proving why it remains a benchmark for open-world design and attention to detail.