Taking on the “Fishing for Flavor” quest in Monster Hunter Wilds demands patience, skill, and a sharp eye for the difficult-to-catch Gravid Bowfin. The rare fish necessary for Kanya’s cooking plans is a new challenge for hunters. Instead of merely netting your prey, you’ll need to learn how to fish by mastering the angling technique in order to land this slippery animal. This guide will take you through the best spots, weather, and fishing methods to catch the Gravid Bowfin successfully and finish Kanya’s quest and unlock its tasty rewards.
Fishing for flavor Quest in Monster Hunter Wilds
Starting this quest is pretty straightforward. First, you need to complete the “Seeking the Goldenfish” quest from Kanya. As a reward, she’ll give you two new types of bait: the Golden Bughead and the Emerald Jitterbait, the latter is key for this quest.
This time, your goal is to catch the elusive Gravid Bowfin, one of the rarest fish in the game. While you can use the Capture Net to catch fish, it won’t count for this quest, you’ll need to reel in the Gravid Bowfin with your Fishing Rod for it to qualify.
Gravid Bowfin Location in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Gravid Bowfin can be found in every region, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to catch. It has a low spawn rate no matter where you look, so you’ll need to cover a lot of ground both figuratively and literally. These fish tend to stick to the outer edges of bodies of water and swim deeper than most, making them tricky to spot. Since the Gravid Bowfin is red, the best time to search for it is during the Plenty in the Scarlet Forest. When the water turns red during other weather conditions, the fish blend right in, making them almost impossible to see.
To find a Gravid Bowfin, look in areas where the weather is Plenty, either around dawn or dusk. These fish can show up in the Windward Plains, Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin, Iceshard Cliffs, and the Ruins of Wyveria. If you’re in the Windward Plains, check Area 13, it’s pretty easy to get to, either by going through the underground caves that open up there or by crossing the sand dunes. Just keep in mind that the Gravid Bowfin is rare, and it doesn’t seem tied to any particular region state. If you’re at the Scarlet Forest Camp, there’s a fishing spot where Kanya is often seen, that’s another place where the Gravid Bowfin might spawn.
How to Catch Gravid Bowfin in Monster Hunter Wilds
Gravid Bowfins are especially attracted to the Emerald Jitterbait, but they’re more cautious than other fish. To boost your chances of catching one, cast the bait close to them and reel it in slowly, with small pauses, this works better than flicking or dragging the bait. Once a Gravid Bowfin bites, just pull the trigger, and there you have it your very own Gravid Bowfin.
If you need to change your lure, hold L1 on PS5, LB on Xbox, or CTRL on PC. Then press Triangle or X on PS5, Y or A on Xbox, or use the arrow keys on PC to scroll through your options.
When fishing for the Gravid Bowfin, a slow, steady reel is the way to go—it grabs their attention, but you’ll need a bit of patience. They’re less eager than other fish, so don’t be surprised if you catch a few others before a Gravid finally takes the bait.
To do a slow reel, gently move the Left Stick up and down on PS5 and Xbox, or press W and S on PC. The moment you feel a bite, quickly press R2 on PS5, RT on Xbox, or the Left Mouse Button on PC to reel it in.
