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If it's the Kanto or Sinnoh games I'll get them from the professor :P
Otherwise, it depends on the Pokemon I want, but it usually ends up being fishing because you typically get the Good Rod before you get the Surf HM. In SS I know I fished for my Staryu and in Sapphire and Emerald, I'm about 95% sure I fished for my Psyduck.
I did surf in Platinum for the Sealeo that I would breed for the Walrein on my primary team, however.
I catch water pokemon from Surfing/Fishing very rarely.
In FR/LG I always pick Squirtle as a starter or evolve Eevee into Vaporeon
In R/S/E I usually pick Mudkip as a starter or get a Lotad
In Platinum I just pick Piplup or get a Buizel
I'm not a big fan of water pokemon so I don't usually look for them. Honestly, I think I usually fish. Think about it, what's the only Pokemon that you encounter while surfing? Those goddam tentacool. Fishing gives you many more choices.
But if I'm really looking for a strong water Pokemon, I usually like to plan my teams ahead of time and would probably choose the water starter of whatever game I'm playing.
I actually prefer fishing since there are 3 types of 'ratings'. Example: Old rod, good rod ect.
But saying that I also, sometimes; get sick of fising. So I would take the easier option and just surf instead. :cer_smile:
To be honest, I do both and for different reasons. When you fish, you expect the Pokémon to be within a certain range, so it's better for you preferred level. As for surfing, random Pokémon with unpredictable leveling will appear before you.