Loftia
Loftia fishing: Collector Rod timing and catch results
Use the Collector Rod at water ripples, then reel while the fish is in the highlighted zone. Wikily distinguishes basic, good and critical results; the catch pool depends on the spot.
Cast at a visible fishing spot
The official page confirms Collector Rod fishing. Wikily identifies fishing spots by ripples: aim at a nearby spot and adjust left or right before casting. Wait for a bite, then reel in the highlighted zone; hitting the star catches instantly. Pick a spot with the desired catch list instead of assuming every patch of water offers the same fish.
Separate catch pools and experience
Wikily says a successful minigame gives the good pool, a critical result gives the critical pool, and failure or no minigame gives the basic pool. It reports 18 XP for critical, 12 for a catch or no-minigame catch, and 2 for failure. A basic result therefore does not identify a single species, and a cast without a minigame is not automatically a failed catch.
Sources: [2]
Keep research and contributions separate
Official material describes donating flora and fauna to research stations. Wikily lists Floating Village contribution bins in Hanging Gardens as taking fish for Sols. These are separate uses, so compare what your current research needs before contributing a catch. The guide does not treat every fish as equally valuable or promise a universal best fishing spot.