If you’re angling for Monster Hunter Wilds’ biggest catch, you’ll need to venture deep into the Scarlet Forest-where only the most persistent hunters will reel in a legendary “whopper.” Whether you’re on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, finding these elusive giants means braving vast lakes, unpredictable seasons, and a fishing minigame that’s anything but relaxing. Ready to land the catch of a lifetime? Here’s where to cast your line.
Our Monster Hunter Wilds guide will tell you where to find whopper locations, and how to catch them.
What is a ’whopper’ in Monster Hunter Wilds?
In Monster Hunter Wilds, a “whopper” refers to a category of very large fish that players can catch through a special fishing minigame. These whoppers are not a single species but include several big fish such as gajau, gastronome tuna, great trevally, and speartuna. They are much larger than typical fish and often resemble small monsters, with their fins visible above the water surface. Catching a whopper involves a more complex process than regular fishing, requiring players to carefully reel them in while responding to their movements and jumps. Whoppers are primarily found in the Scarlet Forest region, especially in deep waters like the Great Lake in area 17 and the lake beneath the Wudwud Hideout in area 12. Players often need to use special lures provided during the side quest “The Catch of a Lifetime” from Kanya at the Scarlet Forest base camp to successfully catch these impressive fish.
Whoppers are really big fish that require a (frustrating) minigame to reel in. There are (at least) four kinds of fish that qualify as a whopper: gajau, gastronome tuna, great trevally, and speartuna.
Where to find a ’whopper’ location in Monster Hunter Wilds
In Monster Hunter Wilds, Whoppers are large aquatic creatures found exclusively in the Scarlet Forest region, primarily in deep waters. The best locations to find Whoppers are Area 17, known as the Great Lake above the dam, and Area 12, the lake beneath the Wudwud Hideout. These spots often have multiple Whopper species such as Gajau, Great Trevally, Gastronome Tuna, and Speartuna. Players can spot Whoppers by their size and fins breaking the water surface. To catch them, use the Tuff Joint bait given by Kanya during the “Catch of a Lifetime!” side quest, and engage in a unique fishing minigame that involves matching the fish’s movements and reeling it in carefully. Setting up camps near these lakes helps with fast travel and increases chances of success, especially during feeding frenzies when flying monsters disturb the water.
Spotting a whopper is the easy part. They are much bigger than the fish you usually see and look a lot more like small monsters than fish. You can usually spot their fins breaking the surface of the water.
Every type of whopper can only be found in the Scarlet Forest. They (usually) only show up in deep water, so there’s two places to look – Area 17: Great Lake Shore and Area 12: Northeast (in the deep water by the waterfall between Areas 12 and 13).
- Gajau can be found in both Area 12 and 17 during the from morning to evening
- Great trevally can be found in both places, but seem more common in Area 17
- Gastronome tuna are only found in Area 17 and we’ve only seen them during a plenty
- Speartuna can be found in both areas (but they seem more common in Area 12) and are only seen during a fallow
How to catch a whopper in Monster Hunter Wilds
To catch a Whopper in Monster Hunter Wilds, head to Area 17 in the Scarlet Forest, specifically near the Great Lake Shore or the deep water by the waterfall between Areas 12 and 13. Equip your fishing rod and use the Tuff Joint bait, which is effective for attracting large fish classified as Whoppers, such as the Gastronome Tuna, Gajau, and Great Trevally. When a Whopper bites, engage the unique fishing minigame: match the fish’s movements with your analog stick to reduce line tension, reel in when the fish tires, and react quickly when it jumps out of the water by moving the stick in the jump direction and pressing the reel button. Setting up a camp nearby allows for fast travel and multiple attempts. Patience and careful timing are key to successfully landing these big fish and completing the side quest “The Catch of a Lifetime” given by Kanya at the Scarlet Forest Base Camp.
In a word, reeling in a whopper sucks. You have to delicately manage the line’s tension, pay attention to how the fish is moving, control the fish when it jumps, and make sure to avoid obstacles, all while still manually reeling it in. You don’t get any redos and failing at any point will make you lose the fish.
Fishing for a whopper starts out the same as fishing for anything else. Select your tuff joint bait and cast in out past and in front of them. Start reeling the lure in slowly by moving the left thumbstick up and down. Pause periodically and mix in a jerk with down on the thumbstick to catch their attention.
When the whopper takes the bait, hit R2/RT like normal.
Now is when it gets complicated (and annoying). The fish is going to start swimming back and forth. Do not reel it in when it’s moving, just move the left thumbstick in the same direction it’s swimming. The game calls this “control the drag.” It will swim back and forth – and occasionally change directions – for a while. Then, it will stop and give a little buck. That’s your cue to start reeling by moving the left thumbstick up and down.
As soon as the fish starts swimming left and right again, stop reeling immediately. Go back to moving in the same direction as the fish is swimming.
If there’s a rock or something in the water and the fish approaches it, you’ll get a warning to keep the fish away from obstacles. When this happens (and only when this happens) it’s okay to move the left thumbstick in the opposite direction as the fish is moving. As soon as the fish changes direction, go back to moving the same direction.
Depending on the fish (and its mood), it might jump. When it does this, hit R2/RT right at the top of the fish’s jump. This will kind of slam it back into the water, and then it will start swimming left or right again.
Just keep tiring it out and reeling it in until you land it.
Where exactly in the Scarlet Forest can I find the biggest whopper
Exact Location of the Biggest Whopper in the Scarlet Forest
The best place to find the largest whopper in the Scarlet Forest is Area 17, known as the Great Lake Shore. This area is located at the top level of the Scarlet Forest, beyond the ruins, where the water is deepest and most expansive. Here, you can spot the distinctive large fins or tentacles of whoppers breaking the surface, making them easier to identify.
Key Tips for Success:
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Area 17 (Great Lake Shore): This is the prime spot for all whopper species, including Gajau, Gastronome Tuna, Great Trevally, Speartuna, and Goliath Squid.
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Look for Feeding Circles: Sometimes, “feeding circles” or frenzies occur, drawing in big fish and making them more plentiful.
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Time and Weather: Some species appear more frequently during certain times or weather conditions (e.g., “Plenty” for Gastronome Tuna, night for Goliath Squid).
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Alternate Spot: If you’re not having luck in Area 17, try Area 12, especially the lake beneath the Wudwud Hideout, which also hosts multiple whopper species.
Pro Tip: Set up a camp at Area 17 for quick access, and bring the right bait (like Tuff Joint bait) to maximize your chances.
In summary, head to Area 17’s Great Lake Shore in the Scarlet Forest, scan the deep waters for large fins, and fish during optimal conditions for the best shot at landing the biggest whopper.
What makes Area 17 the prime spot for catching the biggest whopper in Scarlet Forest
Why Area 17 Is the Prime Spot for Catching the Biggest Whopper in Scarlet Forest
Area 17, known as the Great Lake Shore, stands out as the best location for catching the biggest whopper in the Scarlet Forest for several key reasons:
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Largest Body of Water: The Great Lake in Area 17 is described as a massive expanse, “might as well be an ocean,” which allows for the spawning of multiple whopper species at once. This sheer size increases your chances of encountering several types of big fish in one trip.
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Diverse Whopper Species: All five unique whopper species-Gajau, Gastronome Tuna, Great Trevally, Speartuna, and Goliath Squid-can be found here. Some, like Gastronome Tuna, are exclusive to Area 17 during certain conditions, while others like Great Trevally are more common here than elsewhere.
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Frequent Feeding Frenzies: Area 17 is known for “feeding circles” or frenzies, especially when groups of flying Harpios swoop in. These events draw out large numbers of whoppers, making them easier to spot and catch. Such feeding frenzies are most likely to occur in the morning or evening.
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Visible Signs: The lake’s open water makes it easy to spot the large fins or tentacles of whoppers breaking the surface, so you can target the biggest fish without wasting time on smaller catches.
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Convenient Camp Access: There is a pop-up campsite near the reservoir in Area 17, allowing for quick changes to season or time of day, which is crucial since certain whoppers appear only under specific conditions (e.g., “Plenty” season, night time).
In summary, Area 17’s combination of size, species diversity, frequent feeding events, and accessibility makes it the undisputed prime spot for catching the biggest whopper in the Scarlet Forest.
