- Sunken Crates drop from fishing in the second fishing area expansion during the Fishing Update Part Two.
- Luck portals double your crate odds, so always fish inside them when they spawn.
- Upgrade your fisherman NPCs to at least level 4 to unlock deep pool fishing and better rods.
- AFK farming works: equip NPCs with professional or golden rods and let them fish for you.
- Crates are super rare: expect a grind of hours even with optimal luck setups.
What Is a Sunken Crate?
The Sunken Crate is one of the rarest fishing drops introduced in Fishing Update Part Two of Run a Restaurant. Unlike regular fish that auto-sell for cash, these crates are tied to the sunken loot pool and reward players with a rotating selection of nautical furniture and premium currency when opened.
Crates can only be obtained in the sunken fishing area, which requires the second expansion of your fishing zone. That expansion costs 20 million cash, making it a serious mid-game investment before you can even attempt a crate hunt.
The sunken loot pool includes far more than just crates. Here is the full confirmed drop family:
| Sunken Item | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunken Crate | Loot crate | Rare drop from fishing in sunken area |
| Sunken Captain's Wheel | Furniture/decor | Cosmetic sunken-themed item |
| Sunken Chair | Furniture/decor | Cosmetic sunken-themed item |
| Sunken Table | Furniture/decor | Cosmetic sunken-themed item |
| Sunken Fishing Rod | Equipment | Sunken-themed rod |
| Sunken Tip Jar | Furniture/decor | Cosmetic sunken-themed item |
| Sunken Treasure Chest | Loot container | Sunken-themed chest |
Sunken Crates spawn at very low drop chances. Some players fish for 24 hours straight without landing one. Set realistic expectations and use every luck multiplier available before grinding.
How to Get Sunken Crates: Setup & Farming
The core strategy comes down to three pillars: placement, luck portals, and rod quality. Position your fishing bubble as far from the beach as possible on the back edge of your expanded fishing area, then build a platform so your fisherman NPCs can farm inside the zone efficiently.
Video Highlights:
- Unlock the second fishing area expansion for 20 million cash
- Place your fishing bubble on the back edge, furthest from the beach
- Luck portals grant 2x luck, doubling your crate odds
- Upgrade fisherman NPCs to level 4+ for deep pool access
- AFK farming with NPC-held rods is fully viable
Crates can come from two sources: manual fishing by you, or NPC fishermen working while you AFK. Both benefit from the same luck multipliers, so a hybrid approach (active fishing during portals, NPCs passively working otherwise) produces the best results.
| Farming Method | Luck Portal Bonus | Effort | Best Rod | Crate Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual fishing | Up to 2x luck | High | Golden rod (active play) | Good with portals |
| NPC AFK fishing | NPC-based luck | None | Professional/carbon fiber | Steady passive income |
| Deep pool (whirlpool) | Event-based | Medium | Any upgraded rod | High while active |
| Auto-clicker setup | 2x via portals | Low setup | Your best rod | Consistent long grind |
When a whirlpool or deep pool forms on the map, drop everything and fish it. These events are very common and NPC fishermen at level 4+ gain a 10% chance to fish in active deep pools automatically.
Step-by-Step Crate Farming Route
Follow this sequence to maximize your odds from the moment you unlock the fishing update.
Unlock the Second Fishing Expansion
Save up 20 million cash and purchase the second expansion of the fishing area. Without it, the sunken pool and its crates are completely inaccessible.
Set Up Your Fishing Platform
Place your fishing bubble on the back edge of the new area, furthest from the beach. Build a platform so multiple fisherman NPCs can farm within the same bubble zone.
Upgrade Every Fisherman NPC
Go to Manage > Fisherman and level each NPC. Level 4 unlocks deep pool fishing (10% chance), and level 5 unlocks better rod equipping. Upgrade every single one.
Equip the Best Available Rods
Assign your best rods to NPCs via the rod selection menu. If a message like "Finn must be level five" appears, that NPC needs another level first.
Grind Luck Portals and Whirlpools
Fish actively whenever a 2x luck portal or whirlpool appears, and let NPCs AFK farm in between. Expect roughly 1-2 crates per 2 hours with a strong setup.
Fishing Rod Comparison
Rod choice directly affects your crate odds, but not every player can afford the top tier. Here is how the options stack up.
| Fishing Rod | Cost | Tier | Who Should Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free-to-play rods | Free | Basic | New players starting the update |
| Professional Fishing Rod | Mid-game cash | Good | Most players; solid all-rounder |
| Carbon Fiber Fishing Rod | 800 million cash | Great | Late-game players skipping diamonds |
| Golden Fishing Rod | 2,000 diamonds | Best | End-game; ideal for AFK NPC setups |
| Sunken Fishing Rod | Sunken pool drop | Collector | Trophy item from the crate pool itself |
You do not need to spend 2,000 diamonds to farm crates effectively. The carbon fiber rod at 800 million cash delivers nearly identical practical results, and the professional rod is a perfectly serviceable stopgap while you save up.
Budget Setup
- Free/professional rods
- Level 4 NPCs minimum
- Portal-only active fishing
Mid-Tier Setup
- Carbon fiber rods on NPCs
- Level 5+ fishermen
- AFK platform farming
End-Game Setup
- Golden rods everywhere
- Maxed NPC levels
- Full-time AFK plus portal rushing
NPC rod equipping is gated by level. A fisherman must reach level 5 before equipping higher-tier rods, and level 8 unlocks carbon fiber rod access. Plan your upgrade order around these breakpoints.
Crate Farming Checklist
Run through this checklist before starting any serious crate grind. Every item compounds your effective drop rate.
Pre-Grind Milestones:
- Purchase the second fishing area expansion (20M cash)
- Place fishing bubble at the back edge of the sunken area
- Upgrade all fisherman NPCs to level 4+
- Equip your best available rod on every NPC
- Rush every luck portal and whirlpool the moment it spawns
With a strong setup, players report landing roughly two crates in about two hours of play. That pace is on the lucky side, so treat anything faster as a bonus.
Crate Rewards & FAQ
Opening a Sunken Crate pulls from the sunken loot family listed above. Rewards can vary widely: some players report modest payouts like 5 diamonds from a crate, while the crate itself holds trade or sale value in the diamond economy. Treat crate contents as a lottery rather than a guaranteed jackpot.
Crate contents are random. A rare crate can yield a disappointing payout, so do not bank your economy progression on crate drops alone.
Q: Can I get a Sunken Crate without the second fishing expansion?
No. Sunken Crates are tied to the sunken fishing area, which requires the second fishing area expansion that costs 20 million cash. The base fishing zone cannot produce them.
Q: Do I need the golden fishing rod to get Sunken Crates?
No. The golden rod (2,000 diamonds) helps, but the carbon fiber rod at 800 million cash or even a professional rod with upgraded NPCs is enough to farm crates effectively.
Q: How do luck portals affect crate drops?
Luck portals grant a 2x luck multiplier while active, doubling your chance of catching a Sunken Crate. Always rush to them and fish manually during their duration.
Q: Can NPCs catch Sunken Crates while I am AFK?
Yes. Upgraded fisherman NPCs equipped with better rods can catch crates on their own. Level 4 unlocks deep pool fishing, and level 5 lets them equip higher-tier rods.
Q: What level should my fisherman NPCs be?
At minimum level 4 for the 10% deep pool fishing chance. Level 5 unlocks better rod equipping, and level 8 unlocks carbon fiber rod access. Upgrade every fisherman you own.