How to Catch Shiny Pokémon Using the Chain Fishing Method in Pokémon X and Y

Last Updated: May 13, 2019

Shiny Pokémon are normally very difficult to find (a 1/8192 chance in earlier Pokémon games, and a 1/4096 chance starting in the 6th gen games, in fact), but Pokémon X and Y have a number of methods that make catching shinies easier. One of these methods is chain fishing, where you reel in many Pokémon consecutively with a fishing rod. Read on to find out how you can do so.

Steps

1
Get a fishing rod. There are three fishing rods in the game; the Old Rod, the Good Rod, and the Super Rod.
- You get the Old Rod by talking to a fisherman in the aquarium in Ambrette Town.
- You get the Good Rod by talking to a fisherman in Coumarine City.
- You get the Super Rod by talking to a fisherman in a house on Route 16.
2
Go to the area where you want to fish. This should be an area that is enclosed by walls or rocks. In enclosed areas, you will have a better chance of reeling in a Pokémon when using a fishing rod. This area located in Shalour City is an example of a good place to fish. You can also have a Pokémon with the Suction Cups or Sticky Hold ability in the front of your party, as these abilities increase the chance of you reeling in a Pokémon.

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3
Use your fishing rod, and press A when a "!" or "!!" appears above your character's head. If you do this right, you'll encounter a Pokémon.
4
Defeat or run away from the Pokémon. Do not catch it, since this will break your chain.
5
Continue using your fishing rod to reel in more Pokémon. Doing any of the following will break your chain:
- Not getting a nibble.
- Reeling in too fast or slow.
- Moving away from your spot.
- Turning off the game.
- Using the Player Search System to battle or trade with other people.
6
The higher your chain is, the better your chances are of encountering a shiny Pokémon. Eventually, you should encounter one. Catch it, and enjoy your new shiny!

Community Q&A

Question

Can I close my 3DS while chain fishing? Will that break my chain?

Community Answer

No, it will not. Things that will break it include moving from your position, pulling the rod in too early or late, or not getting a Pokémon on your rod. The last one may be fixed by leading your party with a Pokémon that has the Suction Cups ability.
Question

If nothing bikes, will that break my chain?

Community Answer

Yes. This can be prevented by having a Pokemon with the Suction Cups ability, like Octillery.
Question

Does my Pokemon (with suction cups) need to be alive?

Community Answer

No. The Pokemon with suction cups just has to be the first Pokemon in the party.