How to Catch Caterwauler in FFXIV: Location, Bait and Fishing Guide

Fishing in Final Fantasy XIV starts as a relaxing side activity, but anyone who has tried collecting big fish knows it can become a serious challenge. Some catches require perfect timing, special weather conditions, or long waiting periods. Fortunately, Caterwauler is a little more straightforward, although it still requires the right strategy.

If you are searching for how to catch Caterwauler in FFXIV, the good news is that this big fish has no time or weather restrictions. You can catch it anytime in The Mourning Widow fishing spot in Lower La Noscea. For players who are also preparing other parts of their character progression, having enough resources can make things smoother. Some players choose to buy FFXIV Gil from trusted sellers like SSEGold to save time on gearing, crafting, or other expenses.

Caterwauler is one of the classic FFXIV big fish introduced in Patch 2.2. It is a Seafood material with an item level of 70 and is known as the “king among dwarf catfish” that rules the waters of The Mourning Widow. While the fish itself does not have many practical uses, catching it is a satisfying achievement for dedicated Fishers and completionists.

Caterwauler Location in FFXIV

To catch Caterwauler, you need to travel to the following fishing location:

Fishing Spot: The Mourning Widow
Zone: Lower La Noscea
Coordinates: X:24, Y:23
Recommended Casting Area: Around X:24.8, Y:23.3

The fastest way to reach the location is by teleporting to Limsa Lominsa and using the Aethernet to reach the Tempest Gate exit in Lower La Noscea.

Caterwauler can be caught anywhere along the stream, but many experienced Fishers prefer casting near the southeast section of the area because it provides a comfortable fishing position.

Unlike many rare fish in FFXIV, Caterwauler has:

No time requirement
No weather requirement
No special fishing window

This makes it a great target for players working on their Fishing Log.

Caterwauler Bait: What Should You Use?

The recommended Caterwauler bait in FFXIV is:

Moth Pupa

Moth Pupa is the most efficient option because it keeps the available fish pool smaller compared to other bait choices. You can purchase Moth Pupa from vendors in the starting cities for only 1 Gil, making it extremely cheap and easy to stock.

While Versatile Lure can also catch Caterwauler, it is not recommended. The reason is that Versatile Lure attracts almost twice as many different fish at The Mourning Widow. More possible catches mean fewer chances to encounter Caterwauler.

For the best results, stick with Moth Pupa.

FFXIV Caterwauler Fishing Strategy

Caterwauler is a ferocious bite fish, meaning you are looking for a strong bite when fishing.

The basic strategy is to control the fish pool and increase your chance of getting Caterwauler.

Follow this method:

1. Equip Moth Pupa as your bait.
2. Cast your line at The Mourning Widow.
3. Reel in unwanted fish.
4. Use Surface Slap on one of the other fish species.
5. Continue fishing and use Chum whenever possible.
6. When you get a ferocious bite, use the correct hook action to catch Caterwauler.

Surface Slap is the key ability for this fishing method. It prevents the same fish species from appearing again, increasing the chance that future casts will result in Caterwauler.

How to Use Surface Slap for Caterwauler

Many players focus only on the bait, but Surface Slap is what makes this fishing strategy effective.

Surface Slap is a Fisher ability that removes one fish species from your possible catches temporarily. Since the other fish competing with Caterwauler have similar bite rates, reducing the fish pool improves your odds.

You can use Surface Slap on different fish at The Mourning Widow. Princess Trout has one of the lowest reported bite rates, so some players avoid using Surface Slap on it. However, fishing data is not completely conclusive, and using it on other common fish can still be effective.

The main idea is simple:

Remove unwanted fish. Increase Caterwauler chances.

Does Modest Lure or Ambitious Lure Help Catch Caterwauler?

No.

Using Modest Lure or Ambitious Lure is not recommended when trying to catch Caterwauler.

The reason is that when fishing with Moth Pupa, the available catches are not affected in a useful way by these abilities. They do not improve your chances of getting Caterwauler.

Instead of spending GP on these skills, save your resources for abilities that actually help your fishing rotation, especially Surface Slap and Chum.

Caterwauler Bite Type and Hookset

The most important thing to remember is that Caterwauler has a ferocious bite.

When you see the strong bite indicator, this is your chance to land the fish.

Do not rush your hook action. Using the correct fishing ability at the right moment is the difference between catching Caterwauler and watching it escape.

Because Caterwauler is a big fish, missing one successful bite can mean waiting through many more casts before another opportunity appears.

Extra Tips for Catching Caterwauler Faster

Here are some practical tips from experienced FFXIV Fishers:

Keep enough GP available for Chum and Surface Slap.

Bring plenty of Moth Pupa because each attempt is extremely cheap.

Do not waste GP on Modest Lure or Ambitious Lure.

Be patient. Big fish collecting in FFXIV always involves some RNG.

Use the Fishing Log to confirm you are at The Mourning Widow.

If you are building a complete big fish collection, consider keeping notes about your successful rotations.

Final Thoughts

Catching Caterwauler in FFXIV is not one of the hardest fishing challenges in the game, but it still requires understanding the mechanics behind bait selection and fish control.

The best approach is simple: travel to The Mourning Widow in Lower La Noscea, use Moth Pupa, manage the fish pool with Surface Slap, maintain your GP, and wait for the ferocious bite.

Once Caterwauler finally appears on your hook, you will have one more impressive catch added to your Fishing Log. For collectors and dedicated Fishers, this dwarf catfish is a small but memorable trophy from the waters of Eorzea.