Fishing Rod

The Fishing Rod is a key component of the fishing aspect of Zelda games. In some games, Link only has control of the rod in certain areas. Others, he can use the rod any time as an inventory item.

Link's Awakening
Link uses a fishing rod in the fishing mini-game in, but it is not an obtainable item, and is only usable in this instance.

Ocarina of Time
The only place Link can use the fishing rod in is in the Fishing Pond by Lake Hylia. Link must pay the Fisherman 20 Rupees to use the rod, and return it when he exits. However, through manipulation, Link can gain the fishing rod outside the hut. See glitch information.

While the default lure for the rod floats and can make catching deep-water fish a bit difficult, a sinking lure can be obtained by searching around the stream or in the grass around the pond area. When Link finds the sinking lure, he can attach it to the Fishing Rod and use it to catch fish more easily. However, once the young hero returns the Fishing Rod to the Fishing Hole owner, Link will have to search for the sinking lure again to attach it to the rod.

Twilight Princess
The fishing rod in Twilight Princess is an actual obtainable item. It is given to Link by Uli after the young hero saves her future child's cradle from a monkey. It is basically just a stick and line with the option to add bee larvae or worms as bait and can be used anywhere at any time.

The only times the fishing rod is required is when Link must catch a Reekfish to find Yeto, and to catch a fish in Ordon Village to unlock the slingshot. The only way to catch a Reekfish is to get the Coral Earring from Prince Ralis, which is automatically combined with Link's fishing rod. Not only does the Coral Earring allow Link to catch Reekfish, it also increases his bite frequency.

Besides this, the fishing rod is only useful as a diversion from the main quest. Link can cast it in any water and catch fish. The amount of fish caught and the record-size fish are kept in the Fish Journal.

Hena maintains a Fishing Hole in Upper Zora's River, but she uses her own fishing pole, which is more advanced and is controlled differently than Link's. It also allows Link to use a wider variety of lures.

Phantom Hourglass
A fishing rod can also be obtained in Phantom Hourglass. With it, Link can fish while sailing the World of the Ocean King, but it can be used only when the S.S. Linebeck is above a fish's shadow shown on the map. To obtain the Fishing Rod, Link must make Joanne meet the Old Wayfarer. Afterwards, the Old Wayfarer will give the young hero the fishing rod that he used to try to catch the mythical mermaid.

Trivia

 * It is possible to distract Ganondorf using the fishing rod during the final battle in Twilight Princess, leaving him open to attack. When Ganondorf and Link duel with swords, Link can take out the fishing rod and dangle it beside Ganondorf's head. Ganondorf will watch the hook and not attack (or even move). Link can then use his sword and slice at Ganondorf quickly.