Monster Hunter Wilds Goliath Squid Guide – Where Is the Goliath Squid and How To Fish and Catch It in MH Wilds
If you're going after all the trophies or achievements in Monster Hunter Wilds, you will want to catch a Goliath Squid. It isn't very easy though, and while some of the in-game descriptions will lead you into trying to use specific bait, I found a more-reliable way to fish and catch a Goliath Squid. This will let you unlock the Monster (Squid) Hunter trophy and achievement as well. This guide will not have any story spoilers (outside of revealing the Scarlet Forest Apex Monster), but it will have some later on location spoilers for a camp.
How to unlock the Monster Squid Hunter trophy and achievement in Monster Hunter Wilds
You unlock the Monster (Squid) Hunter trophy or achievement by catching a Goliath Squid. This is not related to any in-game quest or side mission.
What is the Goliath Squid in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Goliath Squid is a rare aquatic life spawn in Monster Hunter Wilds that appears in a select location only based on my testing. It doesn't seem to serve any purpose in-game outside of being trophy or achievement-related.
Where is the Goliath Squid in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Goliath Squid is located in the Scarlet Forest near Area 17: Great Lake Shore. This is a big fishing spot and you will likely be coming here often to fish for the trophies and achievements. The Goliath Squid appears during Inclemency and Evening time. You can rest at your tent or wait for this specific environmental condition and time.
How to fish and catch the Goliath Squid in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Goliath Squid is very easy to spot in the water. It is quite large and slow initially. The play here is to use your bait and aim a bit far away from the Goliath Squid. Then starting moving it around as you would and it will eventually latch onto it. This will cause the fishing mini-game to begin. You need to move your lure in the direction the Goliath Squid swims in to the left and then to the right. Do this a few times and it will eventually get tired. When it is tired and stops moving, reel in. You will need to repeat these steps a few times before it comes close enough to the shore (or you) and you will have caught it by reeling in.
Note that I recommend positioning yourself so there are no big rocks very close to you on your left or right. Having rocks may cause the fishing mini-game to fail as you will not be able to move your lure enough on each side.
What bait to use to catch the Goliath Squid in Monster Hunter Wilds
Despite the in-game bait or lure description leading you to believe that the Tentacle Jig is the best way to catch the Goliath Squid, I found using the Common Wood Minnow as the best bait. I tested this and was able to catch the Goliath Squid twice in a row within minutes as well. I'm not sure if this is intended behaviour, but after spending 20 minutes using the Tentacle Jig without success, a tip from a friend had me trying the Common Wood Minnow (default bait) and immediately being able to catch it.
How to prepare to catch the Goliath Squid in Monster Hunter Wilds
I recommend using a large dung pod on the Uth Duna that spawns in the location you will be fishing in so it does not interrupt you. Aside from doing that, I recommend having the camp unlocked. This camp will be super useful for all fishing-related activities.
Monster Hunter Wilds is now available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam). Check out all our Monster Hunter Wilds guides here.