How to get and use the Sonar Bobber in Stardew Valley

One of the new items added into Stardew Valley with the 1.6 update is something to really help with Fishing, especially if you’re hunting for a specific Fish — the Sonar Bobber. This Bobber not only looks cool, but comes with a huge perk. Here’s how to get one and how it works. 

The Sonar Bobber is a type of Tackle that can be placed onto an Iridium or Advanced Iridium Rod (gained through the Fishing Mastery). It allows you to see exactly what you’re catching before you reel it in, giving you the chance to let the fish drop if it’s not one you want, saving you time and energy.

How to get a Sonar Bobber

Once you reach Fishing level 6, you automatically unlock the crafting recipe for a Sonar Bobber:

• 1 Iron Bar
• 2 Refined Quartz

Other than this, there are a couple of ways to get your hands on one or more Sonar Bobbers. If you’re in a hurry or lack resources, you can visit Willy’s Fish Shop and pick up Sonar Bobbers for 500 Gold each. It may also appear randomly in the Traveling Cart, though the cost is higher and can be anywhere between 750 Gold and 1,250 Gold. 

Outside of purchasing a Sonar Bobber, you can also sometimes find them in Fishing Treasure Chests. 

How to use a Sonar Bobber

The Sonar Bobber can only be equipped on either an Iridium Rod or an Advanced Iridium Rod. While the Iridium Rod can attach one tackle item at a time, the Advanced version can be equipped with two. Having said that, there’s not much point equipping two Sonar Bobbers to one rod, because it doesn’t make any difference to the Fishing experience. 

To equip a Bobber of any sort, open up your inventory and left-click on it, before right-clicking on your chosen Rod. When you go Fishing with the Sonar Bobber attached, you’ll see a small box at the top right of the minigame interface. Inside this box, you’ll be able to see exactly what’s taken the bait, allowing you to choose between reeling it in and letting it go. If you’re catching trash, or Jellies for that matter, you won’t get a little preview window.

Sonar Bobbers have limited use, so you might want to have backups with you if you want to have a long Fishing session. Bear in mind that Tackles do not stack inside your inventory, so you’ll need to balance your space wisely.