Produced by Ant, the album features guest appearances from Aesop Rock, Dem Atlas, I.B.E, Kim Manning, Kool Keith, MF Doom, the Grouch, and Eric Mayson.

concluded: "between Ant's eclectic, subtle production and Slug's equally nuanced lyricism, Fishing Blues stands out as one of the best hip-hop LPs of the year thus far".

[5] Kyle Eustice of Consequence wrote: "along with Ant's confident production work, there's a sense Slug is finally comfortable with the man he's become, what he's accomplished and where he's going".

[3] Marcel Williams of HipHopDX wrote: "Fishing Blues may not be your bag due to its pacing and down-trodden tempo but in between the suburban man bars should lay some appreciation for storytelling".

[7] In mixed reviews, Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork stated: "Fishing Blues' saving grace, the only song with any real passion and continuity, is one about police brutality written from the perspective of the officer".