Don't Sleep With The Fishes Items Guide
Complete item catalog with sources, event counters, ending uses, and priority rankings. Source confidence labels indicate whether info comes from official devlogs, community reports, or is still unverified.
Quick Answer
The best items in Don't Sleep With The Fishes are the ones that solve multiple problems. Anchor, Duct Tape, Bait, Bucket, Flashlight, and Flare Gun are usually high-value because they help with night events, food, rescue chances, or long survival. Some item uses are community-reported and marked with source confidence labels until verified in-game.
Item Priority Table
| Item | Best Use | Pri | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
AnchorNo confirmed change | Boat safety & monster defense | S | Community |
Flare GunRescue ending chance slightly increased | Signaling for rescue | S | Official |
Flashlight | Signaling & shadow defense | S | Community |
Duct TapeRepair use now optional; chest spawn rate decreased | Repair & event defense | A | Official |
Bucket | Water collection & event counter | A | Community |
BaitOnly consumed when fish is caught (was: always consumed) | Fishing — primary food source | A | Official |
Fishing Rod | Food gathering | A | Official |
Swim RingAdded to Treasure Chest loot pool | Water safety | B | Official |
Scuba Gear | Risk route exploration | B | Community |
Harpoon Gun | Monster defense | B | Community |
Spyglass | Observation & scouting | C | Community |
Heart Piece / Heart Note | Unknown | C | Unverified |
Message in a Bottle | Unknown | C | Unverified |
Captain WhiskersFishing catch chance +1% | Fishing boost | A | Official |
Item Categories
Item FAQ
What are the best items in Don't Sleep With The Fishes?
Anchor, Flare Gun, Duct Tape, Bait, and Flashlight are consistently high-value because they cover boat safety, rescue, repairs, food, and night events. See the priority table above for full rankings.
Which items counter night events?
Anchor counters Whirlpool (and is community-reported for Giant Squid). Duct Tape and Bucket counter Eerie Melody and Leak. Flare Gun and Flashlight help with Hope and Other People rescue events.
Should I save the Anchor?
Yes. Anchor is an S-tier survival item because it counters two of the most dangerous events — Whirlpool and Giant Squid. Without Anchor, both can destroy your boat.
Is Duct Tape worth keeping?
Yes. In v1.1.2, repair use of Duct Tape is optional, so you can save it for critical event counters like Eerie Melody. Its chest drop rate was also decreased, making it more scarce.
What changed for Bait in v1.1.2?
Bait is now only consumed when you actually catch a fish. Before v1.1.2, it was consumed on every fishing attempt. This makes Bait a much safer investment for food strategy.
Which items help with rescue?
Flare Gun and Flashlight are the primary rescue route items. Official v1.1.2 notes confirm rescue ending chances were slightly increased. Use Flashlight first to save Flare Gun for stronger opportunities.
Source Confidence
Official data comes from the game's itch.io page and v1.1.2 devlog. Community entries are based on Reddit, Fandom, and player reports — not independently verified. Unverified items are mentioned by players but lack confirmed mechanics. This guide will be updated as more information is verified in-game.