How do I fix the "missing legendary fish" glitch?

The ''missing legendary fish'' glitch in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a frustrating issue that can prevent players from completing the ''A Fisher of Fish'' side quest or obtaining the Legendary Fish Map. This glitch typically occurs when a legendary fish fails to spawn or disappears after being caught, making it impossible to progress. To fix this issue, follow these detailed steps and understand the game mechanics involved.\n\nFirst, ensure you have the Legendary Fish Map, which is obtained by mailing a letter to Jeremy Gill after completing the ''A Fisher of Fish'' quest introduction. The map marks the locations of all 13 legendary fish. If the map is missing, revisit the post office or check your satchel under Documents to confirm its presence. Without the map, tracking the fish becomes significantly harder.\n\nNext, verify that you are fishing in the correct location. Each legendary fish has a specific spawn point, and using the wrong bait or fishing spot can prevent the fish from appearing. For example, the Legendary Bluegill can only be caught in Lake Don Julio using Special Lake Lure. Double-check the in-game map and consult online guides if needed to confirm the exact location and bait requirements.\n\nIf the fish still does not spawn, try reloading your save or restarting the game. This can reset the game''s spawn mechanics and often resolves the issue. Additionally, ensure you are fishing during the correct time of day and weather conditions, as some legendary fish only appear under specific circumstances. For instance, the Legendary Smallmouth Bass requires clear weather and daytime to spawn.\n\nAnother common cause of the glitch is failing to mail a caught legendary fish to Jeremy Gill. After catching a fish, you must send it via the post office to progress the quest. If you forget to mail it or lose the fish due to a game crash, the quest may become stuck. To avoid this, always mail the fish immediately after catching it and avoid fast traveling or saving until the task is complete.\n\nIf the glitch persists, consider using a manual save system. Before attempting to catch a legendary fish, create a manual save file. This allows you to reload and retry if the fish fails to spawn or the quest glitches. Manual saves can be created by accessing the pause menu and selecting Story > Save Game.\n\nFinally, if none of the above solutions work, you may need to reset the quest entirely. This can be done by abandoning the quest and restarting it from the beginning. However, this is a last resort and should only be attempted if all other methods fail. To reset the quest, visit Jeremy Gill at his cabin near Flat Iron Lake and interact with him to restart the dialogue.\n\nIn summary, fixing the ''missing legendary fish'' glitch requires careful attention to game mechanics, proper use of bait and fishing spots, and timely mailing of caught fish. By following these steps and utilizing manual saves, you can overcome this issue and complete the ''A Fisher of Fish'' quest successfully.