Can't spear any fish

[Nathaniel Prime]

So... I have a spear. I hold left click, wait for a fish to get into the crosshairs, and... nothing. They just panic and run away, and not once in 50 tries have I actually caught anything. I'm standing in the creek by the abandoned village. Any tips?

[miamew3]

It has to be big fish, you can't catch the tiny fish (angelfish or discus fish) when spear fishing.
There should be stingray in that river, you can get those.

[SnipyMcnoballs]

you have to use the fork spear

[nilfiry]

Is your spear actually hitting deep enough into the water? Spacing is a thing with spear fishing. The spear's reach is deceptively short, so you have to wait until the fish is almost next to you, look down at it, and then hit the water. If you are trying to spear a fish that is a little further away, you will most likely only hit the water.

[Husker_85]

Also the four-prong spear (long stick+two small stick+rope) has a huge hitbox but low dmg; perfect for spear fishing. If poking isn't doing it for you then you should try throwing it at the fish. When you grab your spear the fish will automatically be added to your backpack.