Cannot reasearch the Abyssal/Hadal rod?

[Aluxes]

I've researched all the rods, and I still can't spend research points on the ??? (Hadal/Abyssal) rod in the upper right of the Rod Research page.

Do I need something else to begin researching it?? I have more than enough parts, it just doesn't do anything when I click on it.

[Eight-Six]

It's locked behind the Stellar Bay quest.

[Sgt.Lube]

you need to do the questline for the researcher in the fort in stellar basin, she will unlock it for you after you get her the 1st set of sea creatures she wants. Also hold onto at least 1 research point, the item she gives you is super slow, you'll want to research the first unlock.

[Drakeema]

This needs to be pointed out in the game to be obvious, right when you try to research it but can't.

Actually, you need to complete the first quest from the researcher(3 fish), and the second quest(prototype parts), to get the Sampling Device. Then, uninstall your rod, or make inventory room for the Sampling Device to install, and the Abyssal/Hadal upgrade(Bottomless Lines) will be available to research/unlock/buy.