You’re standing on the edge of a muddy riverbank in the Scarlet Forest, staring at a giant, sword-nosed fish that refuses to look at your lure. It’s frustrating. We’ve all been there. If you want that Frozen Speartuna Greatsword—and let's be honest, swinging a massive frozen fish at a monster is peak Monster Hunter—you need that Monster Hunter Wilds speartuna fin.
Actually, you need several.
But catching this thing isn't like snagging a Goldenfish. It’s a battle of patience, weather RNG, and a minigame that feels like it was designed to test your blood pressure.
Where to Actually Find Speartuna
Don't wander around the Scarlet Forest blindly. You’ll just waste time and probably get trampled by something you weren't looking for. The Speartuna is picky about its neighborhood.
Go to Area 17. This is the prime spot. Some hunters have luck in Area 13 near the destructible trap side-pool, but Area 17 is the most consistent. Look for the "Great Lake Shore" pop-up camp. If you haven't set that up yet, do it now. It makes resetting the area way less of a headache.
The Weather and Time Factor
Here is where most people mess up. You cannot just show up whenever you want. Speartuna follow a strict schedule:
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- Season: It has to be the Fallow season. During the "Plenty," they basically vanish.
- Time of Day: Morning or Evening is your best bet. Avoid the dead of night.
If the season isn't right, head back to your tent. You can pay some Guild Points to rest and fast-forward the environment until the Fallow kicks in. It’s worth the cost.
The Bait Struggle: Tuff Joint vs. Everything Else
There is a lot of back-and-forth online about what bait works. Technically, you can use the basic Wood Minnow, but if you want to save yourself twenty minutes of staring at still water, get the Tuff Joint Bait.
You get this from Kanya at the Scarlet Forest base camp. You have to work through her fishing side-quests first. Once you reach Chapter 4 and finish "The Catch of a Lifetime," she hands over the good stuff. The Speartuna loves this bait, but even then, it won't just dive for it.
Making the Fish Care
Speartuna are "Whoppers." They don't just see a lure and bite. You have to tease them. Once you cast near the fish (aim for its face, but keep a little distance), you need to "jig" the rod.
- On Controller: Slowly move the left stick up and down.
- On PC: Alternating W and S keys.
Basically, you want the bait to look alive. If you just let it sit there, the Speartuna will literally swim over it like it’s a piece of trash.
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Surviving the Whopper Minigame
Once it bites, press RT (or R2/Middle Click) immediately. Now the real fun begins. The Speartuna is huge, and it’s going to fight.
The Jumping Mechanic
This is what catches most players off guard. The fish will leap out of the water. When it does, look at its head.
- If it jumps Left, hold Left and hit the hook button.
- If it jumps Right, hold Right and hit the hook button.
- If it jumps Straight Up, hold Up/Back and hit the hook button.
If you miss these prompts, your line tension will skyrocket. Do it right, and you’ll slam the fish back into the water, draining its stamina.
Reeling It In
When the splashing stops and the fish looks tired, that’s your window. Mashing is the name of the game here. Alternate your stick or keys as fast as humanly possible to gain ground. You probably won't catch it in one go; expect to repeat the "fight and reel" cycle about three or four times.
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Is the Speartuna Fin Worth the Effort?
Honestly? Yeah. The Frozen Speartuna 1 starts with decent stats, but the final upgrade—the Freezer Speartuna—is a beast for Ice element builds.
We’re talking about a Rarity 8 weapon with massive Ice damage and some surprisingly good slots (usually a Level 3 and Level 2). It’s often considered the best Ice Greatsword in the game, even if it looks ridiculous. Plus, it comes with Punishing Draw and Slugger built-in on some versions, which is great for a hit-and-run playstyle.
Pro Tips for Farming
- The Insta-Catch Trick: Some players found that if you lure the fish very close to the shoreline before it bites, you can sometimes skip the minigame entirely. It’s glitchy, but if you can pull it off, it saves minutes per fish.
- Watch the Fin: You can tell it’s a Speartuna before you even cast. Look for a large, sail-like fin poking out of the water. It’s much bigger than the other fish in the pond.
- Bring a Friend: If you’re struggling with the timing, having a Palico with the right skills can occasionally help with gathering, though for the actual catch, it's all on you.
To get your first Monster Hunter Wilds speartuna fin, make sure your map says "Fallow," head to Area 17 in the morning, and keep that bait moving. Once you bag one, the rest get easier as you learn the rhythm of the jumps. Just don't forget to save your game after the catch—nothing hurts worse than a crash after winning a ten-minute fishing battle.