RuneWeb - The Fishing Trawler

The Fishing Trawler

By: Data/Loggy

(This is a members-only feature.)

Equipment
Trawling
Completion/Failure

Location: Port Khazard, south of Ardougne

Requirements: 15+ Fishing

The Trawler Mini-Game is a fun and challenging way to gain some fishing and crafting experience and get some rare fish. You can begin by boarding Murphy's Ship in Port Khazard, south of Ardougne. The Trawler Mini-Game consists of you boarding a boat as it sets of to go Trawling (fishing with a large net). As the boat trawls, however, you will find many problems arise. The net may rip, leaks my spring in the boat, and the boat may fill up with water. You can fix these problems with some items, but you're going to need backup. The Trawler is challenging because you will more then likely need a team for it. It is near impossible to do it on your own; its just too difficult. Read on to find out how you can trawl and save the boat.

Equipment

All you will really need for the Trawler, besides some companions to help out and at least 15 Fishing, are three types of items - rope, swamp paste, and bailing buckets (all of which are on sale in the Port Khazard General Store).

Swamp Paste

Swamp Paste is the most important item you use on the trawler. You can make it by getting Swamp Tar from Lumbridge swamp and cooking it on a fire, or you can buy it the general store in Port Khazard. You use Swamp Paste to patch leaks in the trawler. Buy/make a good amount, since it can take up to 6 swamp paste to patch up a hole. Everyone on your Trawling Team should have Swamp Paste.

Bailing Buckets
Please Note: Bailing Buckets are NOT the same as regular 'buckets'.

Bailing Buckets are needed for the later part of the Trawler Mini-Game, when the boat has more water in it. When there are too many holes and not enough pasters, the boats hold will fill up with water. You can select Bail on your Bailing Bucket then go on the deck of the boat and dump it. Bailing Buckets can be purchased in the store at Port Khazard. After you have purchased stackable swamp paste, fill the rest of your inventory with Bailing Buckets except about 5 spaces.

Rope

Rope is needed during the Trawler Game when the net is ripped. There is a notice on the Trawler Screen that will inform you if your net is ripped or not. If it is, climb the ladder to the ship's deck and click the 'Inspect Net' option. If it is broken, you will automatically try to fix it (if you have rope in your inventory). The weather may be too harsh, so keep trying until the net is fixed. If the net stays ripped, you can't catch any fish!

Trawling

When you first board Murphy's Trawler, you will receive a message telling you that the boat will leave in 1 minute. If you have a team to help you (which you're going to need), get them on as soon as possible, and make sure they are properly equipped with trawler equipment (see the items section).

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When the minute is up, Murphy will join you and the ship will set off. The ship itself is simple; there are only two parts - the hold (below deck, where Murphy is) and the deck, which is the part you entered the boat on, and also where the net is.) When the ship is done sailing around (shown on a Runescape Map) you should be below deck with Murphy, and the Trawler Screen will be shown.

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The Trawler Screen is the same as a regular Runescape Screen except that on the top part it shows how much water is in the boat, how many fish you've caught, the net situation, and time remaining.

When you began, pay close attention to the info displayed on your screen, especially the water meter and the status of the net. When the water meter is filled, the ship will sink! Be sure to have all your team running to each leak and patching it with swamp paste to prevent the boat from sinking. When water fills the hold, click the bail option on your bailing buckets, fill them all up, head above deck, and empty them.

Also, keep a good watch on the net's status. If it is ripped, hurry up and send someone up to inspect and fix it.

Completion/Failure

There are only two possible outcomes of the Trawler Mini-Game - either you catch a bunch of fish and get back to Port Khazard okay, or the ship fills up with water and sinks.

If You Sink

If you and your team fail to keep the boat afloat, the screen will change to just you and your companions in the open sea, floating amid the wreckage.

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If this happens, simply find a bucket and grab ahold of it. If you can't get a grip on it, try a different one. Eventually, a bucket will bring you back to shore - you will end up near Port Sarim, with a small amount of damage dealt.

If You Succeed

If you and your team are successful and sail back into Port Khazard with your catch, you can get off the trawler and head to the Trawler Net & Crates, which is on a little dock next to the actual Trawler.

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Inspect it to receive your catch, which can be a variety of fish, from shrimp to Manta Ray. However, you can only catch sea-water fish that you would be able to catch with your fishing level. Then you can sail out again and fish some more!

Good luck Trawling!