I think you can get the old rod by going to this poke center near a Lake
If you go in the Pokemon center right before union cave talk to the fisherman inside he gives you the old rod.
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i only know that the old rod is at the route where theres a Pokemon center next to the cave
The old rod is located in Route 32 from a Fishing Guru (look for him) The Super rod is located in Route 12 from...again..a fishing guru (look for him)
You get a water type pokemon by chose totodile and teach him surf or fishing. P.S.-you can find old rod in 32 route in pokemon center,tak to the fisher.
Using the Old Rod in Pokemon Ruby (or any Pokemon game for that matter) will get you a Magikarp as that is the only Pokemon an Old Rod can catch.
I know that you get the super rod in Route 12.