OSRS Fishing Trawler KC Guide for Anglers Outfit and Rewards

The Fishing Trawler minigame in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a unique and engaging way to train Fishing while chasing the coveted Angler’s Outfit, rare fish, and even the elusive Heron pet. For players tracking their Kill Count (KC)—the number of successful trips completed—this guide dives deep into how to maximize your Fishing Trawler KC, optimize rewards, and make the experience as smooth as possible. Whether you’re a solo player or joining the official World 370, this blog post covers everything you need to know to master the minigame and boost your Fishing gains.
Fishing Trawler is a Fishing minigame located in Port Khazard, run by Murphy, where players board a boat and work to keep it afloat for 5 minutes by patching leaks, fixing nets, and bailing water. Tracking KC, or the number of successful trips, is crucial for players aiming to obtain the Angler’s Outfit, which provides a 2.5% Fishing XP boost when worn as a full set. KC also helps gauge progress toward rare rewards like the Heron pet or high-level fish such as manta rays and sea turtles.
Why Fishing Trawler Matters
Fishing Trawler is the only way to obtain the Angler’s Outfit, a must-have for serious fishers. It’s also required for tasks in the Ardougne Diary, making it a key activity for achievement hunters. The minigame offers unique fish not available through regular fishing, adding value for players seeking rare cooking ingredients.
Understanding KC in Fishing Trawler
In Fishing Trawler, KC refers to the number of successful trips where the boat doesn’t sink, and you contribute at least 50 points to the Contribution Meter. Each trip takes approximately 6.5 minutes (5 minutes of gameplay, 1 minute of docking, and 30 seconds of cutscenes). Tracking KC helps you estimate how many trips you’ll need for the Angler’s Outfit, which has a 1/12 chance per piece per successful trip.
How to Play Fishing Trawler Efficiently
Playing Fishing Trawler efficiently is key to racking up KC without wasting time or resources. The minigame can be played solo or in groups, with the official world (370) being the go-to for group play. Here’s how to approach it.
Getting to Port Khazard
Port Khazard is accessible via several methods:
- Minigame Group Finder Teleport: Requires level 15 Fishing, fastest option.
- Ardougne Cloak: Teleports to Ardougne Monastery, then run southeast.
- Fairy Ring DJP: Located just north of Port Khazard.
- Khazard Teleport (Lunar Spellbook): Drops you directly in Port Khazard.
- Charter Ship: Available from various ports, costs vary.
Recommended Inventory and Supplies
To maximize your KC, bring the right supplies, all available at the Khazard General Store or Grand Exchange:
Item | Quantity | Purpose |
---|---|---|
Swamp Paste | 200–500 | Patch leaks (5 Construction XP per use) |
Bailing Bucket | 6–12 | Remove water (no XP) |
Rope | 10–15 | Fix torn nets (5 Crafting XP) |
Axe | 1 (optional) | Attack Kraken (5 Woodcutting XP per chop) |
Tip: In group play on World 370, 100–300 swamp paste and 6 bailing buckets are often sufficient, as tasks are shared.
Gameplay Mechanics
Once aboard, your goal is to keep the boat afloat by:
- Patching Leaks: Use swamp paste on holes (5 points per fix).
- Bailing Water: Use bailing buckets when water levels rise (2 points per bail).
- Fixing Nets: Use rope on torn nets (7 points per fix).
- Attacking Kraken: Chop tentacles to prevent net damage (10 points per chop).
A Contribution Meter tracks your activity, requiring at least 50 points to qualify for rewards. Maxing it at 255 points grants 50% more fish and a higher chance at the Heron pet.
Strategies for Maximizing KC
Boosting your KC involves optimizing your gameplay to complete as many successful trips as possible. Here are proven strategies.
Solo vs. Group Play
Solo Play: Ideal for Ironmen or players seeking higher fish yields (20–22 fish per trip, ~13,000 XP/hour at level 99). Bring 200 swamp paste, 12 bailing buckets, and 15 ropes. Prioritize patching leaks over bailing to prevent sinking. Solo play is challenging but manageable with practice.
Group Play (World 370): Easier and more relaxed, especially for the Angler’s Outfit. With others handling tasks, you can AFK after reaching 50 Contribution points, yielding 14–19 fish per trip (~9,000 XP/hour at level 99). Join World 370 for consistent groups.
AFK Strategy for Group Play
In World 370, spam-click leaks with swamp paste until you hit 50 Contribution points, then AFK until the trip ends. Disable camera sway (top-right button) to reduce motion sickness and improve click accuracy. This method minimizes effort while maintaining eligibility for rewards.
Managing Kraken Attacks
Kraken attacks (3–6 per trip, scaling with player count) tear nets and reduce fish catches. If you bring an axe, chop tentacles to minimize damage, earning 10 points per chop. In groups, others often handle this, so focus on leaks unless the Kraken is overwhelming.
Rewards and Expected KC for Angler’s Outfit
Fishing Trawler’s rewards make it worth the effort, but the Angler’s Outfit is the primary draw. Here’s what to expect.
Angler’s Outfit Drop Rates
Each successful trip with 50+ Contribution points has a 1/12 chance to drop one of the four Angler’s Outfit pieces (hat, top, waders, boots) you don’t already own. On average, it takes:
- 12–48 trips for the full set (most players get it in 20–40 trips).
- RNG Factor: Some players report needing 100+ trips, while others get lucky in under 10.
Example: At 6.5 minutes per trip, 20–40 trips take 130–260 minutes (2–4 hours). A 2021 Reddit post claimed a full set in 20 minutes post-update, though this is exceptionally rare.
Fish and XP Rewards
Rewards include fish based on your Fishing level (e.g., manta rays at 81+, sea turtles at 79+), with quantities depending on group size and net condition. Players with the Elite Ardougne Diary receive 50% more fish. XP rates are low:
- Solo: ~13,000 XP/hour at level 99.
- Group: ~9,000 XP/hour at level 99.
Use fishing potions or admiral pies before checking the net to improve fish quality.
Heron Pet and Other Rewards
The Heron pet is a rare drop, with chances scaling with Contribution points. Maxing the meter (255 points) optimizes your odds. Other rewards include junk items (e.g., rusty swords) and the chance to complete Ardougne Diary tasks.
Tips and Common Pitfalls to Avoid
To ensure a smooth Fishing Trawler experience and steady KC growth, keep these tips in mind.
Maximizing Efficiency
Stock Up: Buy swamp paste in bulk from the Grand Exchange to avoid running out mid-trip.
Use Runelite: The Runelite Fishing Trawler plugin tracks KC, fish caught, and Contribution points, helping you optimize runs.
Bank Nearby: A bank chest west of the trawler net simplifies reward management.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Don’t Bring Pets: Pets are banned from the trawler, triggering a “What if it were to fall in the sea?” message.
Claim Rewards Promptly: Uncollected rewards drop to the ground and may be lost if you start a new trip.
Watch the Net: A torn net at trip’s end can result in no fish, wasting your KC.
Dealing with AFKers and Crowds
In World 370, AFKers can overcrowd boats, making it harder to contribute. If this happens, switch to a less busy time or try solo play. The Contribution Meter ensures only active players (50+ points) get rewards, reducing leeching.
Fishing Trawler is a grind, but with the right strategy, you can rack up KC, snag the Angler’s Outfit, and enjoy unique rewards. Join World 370, stock up on swamp paste, and start trawling today. Happy fishing!