Yeah I was wondering that. I caught a shark on my first attempt but the next 5 or so have all got away :(

Was wondering what charts you were looking at but now I realize you were filtering it by 3DS downloads.  AC:NL isn't in the top 20 on total software charts yet.  However, it surpassed NSMB2 already which is amazing for just the first week. 

I believe that there is just a little less time when you hear the sound of the fish bobber to when you can press a button to reel it in.  So you have to react quicker on the rare fish like the fin fish. 

yea... #8 but the virtual console games sell well! It should make top 20 sometime this week!

Once it hits the top 20 in total software then I'll start keeping track of that in op.  Put the 3DS downloads top 10 in op for now with date attached.  Can keep track of how it climbs up the charts.

add me :D
FC:2535-3756-3237

playing now, gate is open :) new player so haven't got a clue on what to do but yeah..

Have you caught any like that?  Would love to catch a shark or something.

The key is to push the a button right after you hear the loud splash (louder than the other splashes when they are just nibbling on the hook) from the fish bobber.  I usually keep my finger resting on the a button and then when I hear the loud splash I slam on the a button.  I sometimes even look away from the screen (because I'm less likely to accidently hit the a button when the fish are just nibbling the hook and not fully on the hook) and just wait for the loud water splash sound.  However, some fish act like they are going for the bait and nibble on it one or two times then swim away and you gotta recast the line for them to go after it again.  This isn't that big deal cause then even if you are looking away from screen you won't hear any more nibbling sounds.  So usually I just cast and make sure fish are going after bait then I look away and wait for the water splash sound. 

I have caught a hammerhead, regular shark, ocean sunfish, and saw shark so far (all donated to museum).  Even caught a few more sunfish and sharks that I sold. 

I swear I wait for the big splash...how I have cuaght dozens of fish in the stream already.  There is generally a pattern. Fish recognizes bait, approaches, nibbles (1-4 times) and then splash it goes under and I smash the button.  Yet, time and again on finned fish I come up empty.   I'll keep at it and see if Ahab can get his white whale...