When Does C.J. Visit In Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

This comprehensive guide reveals the most profitable fish to sell when C.J. visits your island, demonstrates how to commission stunning fish models, and provides exact dates for upcoming Fishing Tourney events to maximize your earnings.

Similar to Flick’s role with insects, the enthusiastic C.J. represents one of Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ rotating special NPCs who make periodic island appearances. While Flick specializes in purchasing bugs and creating insect models, C.J. focuses entirely on aquatic sports and will acquire any fish you’re prepared to sell at a substantial 50% markup over standard Nook’s Cranny prices. This creates exceptional bell-earning opportunities during his visits. But what determines his arrival schedule, and what’s the process for obtaining detailed fish replicas?

Much like other Animal Crossing special visitors, predicting C.J.’s exact arrival date proves impossible since his appearances follow completely randomized patterns. You’ll need to conduct daily island inspections to verify his presence. Statistically speaking, most players encounter him approximately once every 10-14 days. When he does materialize, he remains accessible for a complete 24-hour cycle, spanning from 5 AM through 5 AM the following day.

C.J. during the Fishing Tourney

Throughout Fishing Tourney events, C.J. establishes a permanent position adjacent to his tent in the central plaza. During standard visits though, he roams freely across your island’s terrain, requiring active tracking when you’re ready to conduct business. He wears a distinctive yellow and black angler’s vest paired with an ill-fitting backward baseball cap, making visual identification straightforward. (His unique beaver characteristics provide additional confirmation since he’s the only character of his species in the game.)

Mirroring Flick’s approach with insects, C.J. acquires any fish inventory you possess at 150% of their standard market valuation during his active periods. This premium pricing applies to all creatures captured through fishing in rivers or oceans, including non-fish species like frogs and crawfish. However, C.J. explicitly declines to purchase sea creatures obtained through diving activities, so avoid accumulating these before engaging with him.

Before C.J. processes your fish transactions, he mandates completion of a Seasports Challenge. These typically require successfully catching three fish meeting specific size criteria consecutively, meaning you must hook all three sequentially without frightening any away. Upon challenge completion, C.J. immediately activates the enhanced purchasing rate for your entire fish collection.

Pro Tip: Prepare multiple fishing rods before initiating Seasports Challenges to prevent equipment failure mid-task. Position yourself near fish spawn hotspots and use fish bait to control encounter timing for optimal challenge completion.

Beyond purchasing your fish, C.J. offers commission services through his artistic partner Flick to create detailed fish models. Similar to Flick’s insect model process, you must provide three identical fish specimens to C.J. for model creation. The completed replica arrives via postal delivery the next day, and you can display it as decorative furniture across your island or sell it at Nook’s Cranny for triple the standard market value of that specific fish species.

Strategic Insight: Consider creating models from fish with unique visual characteristics rather than maximum value species, as decorative appeal often outweighs pure resale profit for island aesthetics.

Supplementing his random visits, C.J. organizes quarterly Fishing Tourneys throughout the year. Comparable to Flick’s Bug-Off events, Fishing Tourneys allocate three-minute intervals to catch as many fish as possible; each successful catch accumulates points redeemable for exclusive fish-themed furniture, clothing, and other limited availability items.

The Fishing Tourney occurs on the second Saturday of specific seasonal months. For comprehensive event mechanics and detailed prize acquisition strategies, consult our specialized Complete Guide to tournament domination.

Advanced Technique: Pre-stockpile fish bait near optimal fishing locations and coordinate with friends for cooperative fishing during tourney hours to maximize point accumulation.

Investment Strategy: Focus on capturing Coelacanth, Great White Shark, and Whale Shark when available, as these provide the highest return per inventory slot when C.J. visits. For players seeking to optimize their Weapons Unlock in other games, similar strategic prioritization applies here for maximum efficiency.

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