What’s the best way to prevent the fishing rod from disappearing from the inventory?

The fishing rod is a crucial tool in Red Dead Redemption 2, allowing players to catch fish for food, crafting, and challenges. However, many players have reported issues with the fishing rod disappearing from their inventory. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on fishing for survival or completing specific missions. To prevent this issue, it’s essential to understand the game mechanics and follow specific steps to ensure the fishing rod remains accessible.\n\nFirst, ensure you have properly unlocked the fishing rod. The fishing rod is obtained during the mission ''A Fisher of Fish'' in Chapter 2, where you accompany Jack Marston to a fishing spot near Flat Iron Lake. After completing this mission, the fishing rod is permanently added to your inventory. If you skip this mission or fail to complete it, the fishing rod will not be available. Always prioritize this mission early in the game to avoid complications later.\n\nOnce you have the fishing rod, store it on your horse. The fishing rod is considered a large item, and it must be equipped from your horse’s inventory. To do this, approach your horse and access the weapon wheel. Navigate to the bottom section of the wheel, where large items like the fishing rod, lasso, and lantern are stored. Ensure the fishing rod is equipped before heading to a fishing spot. If it’s not visible, check your horse’s saddlebag or revisit the mission area to confirm it’s unlocked.\n\nAnother common issue is the fishing rod disappearing after switching weapons or engaging in combat. To avoid this, always re-equip the fishing rod from your horse after any activity that involves using other weapons. For example, if you’ve been hunting or fighting enemies, return to your horse and manually select the fishing rod again. This ensures it remains in your active inventory and prevents it from being accidentally unequipped.\n\nIf the fishing rod still disappears, try reloading a previous save. Sometimes, bugs can cause items to vanish from your inventory. Reloading a save from before the issue occurred can restore the fishing rod. Additionally, avoid using mods or cheats, as these can interfere with the game’s mechanics and cause unexpected glitches. Stick to the standard gameplay to minimize the risk of bugs.\n\nFinally, if all else fails, visit a general store or gunsmith to check if the fishing rod can be repurchased. While this is not a guaranteed solution, some players have reported success in reacquiring lost items through these vendors. Keep in mind that this may not work if the fishing rod was never properly unlocked in the first place.\n\nIn summary, to prevent the fishing rod from disappearing, complete the ''A Fisher of Fish'' mission early, store it on your horse, re-equip it after combat or other activities, and avoid using mods or cheats. By following these steps, you can ensure the fishing rod remains a reliable tool throughout your Red Dead Redemption 2 journey.