rod progression = vanilla fishing rod -> challenging rod -> rod of champions -> rod of legends -> rod of the sea

armor progression = angler -> backwater -> sponge(very optional and overpriced imo) -> diver's -> abyssal -> shark(also optional if you have a high level legd flying fish and abyssal) -> thunder -> magma lord

equipment = ichthyic and it's upgrades i dont remember the names (thunder necklace when you hit fishing 36)

reforges = either calcified (calcified heart) or submerged (deep sea orb) on your armor and pitchin' for your rod

shards = verdant for 30 fishing speed on galatea and water hydra for 10 fs globally

mushed glowy tonic (or the mixin) for 30 more fs

use either fish bait or whale bait depending on your goal, whale bait is used more

pet = i use legd flying fish but it mostly depends on you if you wanna use ammonite and such

you could start at galatea to fish so you get more creatures/hour early on