Fishing

Fishing

AnimalsCard GameNautical
Players
3-5
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
4 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
60 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
8+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
1.9 / 5
Year
2024

About the game

In Fishing, up to five anglers battle through eight rounds of trick-taking to reel in the biggest catch, with each card won worth a point. Cards you catch carry over into the next round, but if you come up short you'll draw fresh cards from a rising ocean stack loaded with more powerful colors, a green trump suit, and wild-powered buoy cards. Buoys let you steal a trick's lead, force other players to pass cards, or even snatch every card in a trick outright. Designed by Friedemann Friese, it blends classic trick-taking rules with a hand that literally evolves as the game unfolds. Whoever has amassed the most points after eight rounds wins.

Hobbli's Notes

We really enjoy how Fishing dresses up trick-taking with a light deck-building twist: your hand isn't static, it grows and shifts as new ocean cards enter play. The escalating buoy powers keep late rounds tense without adding much rules overhead. It plays quickly and rewards paying attention to what's coming from the ocean stack. A smart pick for groups who already like trick-takers and want a bit more texture.

What we like

  • Fast eight-round structure keeps games moving briskly.
  • Evolving hand from the ocean stack adds a fresh deck-building layer to trick-taking.
  • Buoy cards create memorable, high-impact moments.
  • Easy to teach to players who already know trick-taking basics.

Keep in mind

  • The shifting card pool can feel fiddly to track for newer players.
  • Player interaction is mostly limited to the trick itself.
  • Nautical theme is light dressing rather than deeply integrated.

Who it's for

Fans of trick-taking card games looking for a bit more crunch; suits groups of 3-5 players, ages 8 and up, for a casual but competitive game night.

Mechanics

Deck / Bag BuildingTrick-taking

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