Old School RuneScape Drift Net Fishing Guide
For players chasing maximum efficiency in Old School RuneScape, Drift Net Fishing is one of the most rewarding yet click-intensive training methods. It combines both Fishing and Hunter into a single activity, letting you pull in two skills’ worth of XP at once. While the process can be overwhelming at first, once you understand the mechanics, you’ll see why many maxing players grind here despite its frantic pace. Whether you gather resources yourself or choose to buy OSRS gold to speed up preparation for supplies like drift nets and numulite, this guide will walk you through the requirements, setup, gear, and step-by-step process of Drift Net Fishing so you can avoid confusion and get the most out of your grind.
What is Drift Net Fishing?
Drift Net Fishing is an activity unlocked after completing the Bone Voyage quest, which grants access to Fossil Island. The method involves herding fish into nets, then harvesting them for both Hunter and Fishing experience. At peak efficiency, you can earn up to 105-110k Hunter XP and 70-80k Fishing XP per hour, making it one of the best two-skill training methods in the game.
Requirements
Before starting, make sure you meet the following requirements:
· 44 Hunter and 47 Fishing (minimum to use drift nets).
· Completion of Bone Voyage (to access Fossil Island).
· Access to the Lovakengj favour (65% required) for drift net purchases.
Recommended Gear & Supplies
Essentials:
· Drift Nets: You’ll burn through around 100 nets per hour, so stockpile thousands ahead of time.
· Numulite: Required to buy drift nets. Many players bring 30k-50k numulite for long grinds.
· Stamina Potions: Essential for maintaining efficiency since constant running is required.
Combat Gear (for prep):
Before drift netting, you’ll need flippers (dropped by Mogres). Bring a blowpipe or other ranged weapon to kill them efficiently. The drop rate is 1/64, so be prepared to grind a little.
Optional Enhancements:
· Rada’s Blessing (from Kourend & Kebos Diary) for Fishing bonuses.
· Angler’s Outfit and Hunter Outfit pieces for small XP boosts.
· Graceful for stamina conservation if you’re struggling with energy management.
How to Get Started
1. Travel to Fossil Island using the Fairy Ring code “aiq” or the Digsite Pendant.
2. Speak to Annette (appropriately named!) to exchange drift nets for numulite.
3. Head into the underwater area and equip your flippers and diving apparatus.
4. Locate the two drift net spots and set them up. These will act as your XP generators.
Drift Netting Process Step by Step
Here’s how to actually perform drift net fishing without confusion:
1. Set up both nets on the designated yellow tiles.
2. Prod the fish (blue-highlighted schools) toward the nets. Don’t spam-click; one prod per fish is enough.
3. Stay near the nets: Move back and forth between them, keeping within the green tile areas where fish reset.
4. Watch the counter: Each net can hold up to 10 fish. Once it reaches 9 or 10, harvest it immediately.
o Quick Tip: Use the escape key to close the harvest window quickly, then instantly reset the net.
5. Repeat constantly: Prod, herd, harvest, and reset in a rhythm.
It takes practice to get into the flow, but once you do, it becomes second nature.
Efficiency Tips
· Zoom out your screen so you can see both nets at once, reducing wasted clicks.
· Always prioritize nets that are 9/10 full, even if the other side looks busy.
· Don’t waste time chasing fish far away. Stick to the green reset areas where they naturally reappear.
· Keep Stamina Potions active so you don’t run out of energy mid-cycle.
· Reset your XP tracker often to make sure you’re hitting 80k+ Fishing and 100k+ Hunter XP per hour.
Why Choose Drift Net Fishing?
Yes, it’s click-intensive and not as relaxing as AFK Barbarian Fishing. But when you compare the XP rates, Drift Net Fishing is unmatched for two-skill training. Instead of grinding Hunter and Fishing separately, you’re essentially cutting the time investment in half.
If your goal is to max efficiently, a few hours of drift netting per day will push both skills forward significantly faster than most alternatives.
Final Thoughts
Drift Net Fishing isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s fast-paced, requires constant attention, and can feel overwhelming the first time you try it. But with practice, you’ll find the rhythm: prod, herd, harvest, reset, repeat. For players serious about maxing, it’s a top-tier method that offers unbeatable efficiency. Whether you grind everything yourself or use cheap RS gold to stock up on supplies more quickly, the key is consistency. So stock up on nets, grab your flippers, and dive into Fossil Island. Once you master Drift Net Fishing, you’ll be well on your way to trimming down two of the grindier skills in Old School RuneScape.
