What's the Kalu'ak Fishing Derby?
The Kalu'ak Fishing Derby is similar to the Stranglethorn Extravaganza Contest, except:
- There is just one fish to catch, not 40. Much easier for Dwarves!
- Almost any pool in Northrend can be fished, there are no special pools.
In summary:
- When: Saturday, 14:00 to 15:00 ((realm time, which may not be the same as local time)).
- Where: Northrend (see what to do below).
- Requires: Wrath of the Lich King (expansion). No known level requirement, but you must be able to visit Dalaran. See Kalu'ak Fishing Derby Strategy for details. (With patch 3.3 you will never catch junk when fishing from a pool, so only fishing skill 1 is required.)
- Why: Earning the achievement "Master Angler of Azeroth" (part of becoming Salty), winning a pair of fishing boots or exclusive (5% experience bonus) heirloom ring (see rewards below).
Watch: Kalu'ak Fishing Derby
This 2 minute movie illustrates the guide written below.
What To Do
Here's what to do:
1. Wait for Elder Clearwater to yell, "The Kalu'ak Fishing Derby has begun!"
That happens at 14:00 on Saturday. You do not need to be in Dalaran. There are no quests to accept. Simply be somewhere in Northrend, by a pool, ready to start fishing. Elder Clearwater arrives in Dalaran 1 hour before the contest. 5 minutes before the start he will yell a warning.
2. Fish from (almost) any pool in Northrend
Fish any pool in Northrend where Pygmy Suckerfish are found. Do not fish in Pool of Blood. Avoid Glassfin Minnow School, which have a low proportion of Pygmy Suckerfish than other pools. You can fish open water in Northrend where Pygmy Suckerfish are caught, but the chance of catching the winning fish is lower than pools. If you are planning to win, fish from pools.
3. Keep moving between pools until you catch a Blacktip Shark
Blacktip Shark are caught alongside normal fish. Expect to catch over 50 fish before your shark bites. Blacktip Shark decay quicker than other fish (1 hour duration) and are bound to the angler.
4. Deliver the Blacktip Shark to Elder Clearwater in Dalaran
Travel to Dalaran as fast as possible: Use a hearthstone, Kirin Tor ring, portal, or summon. Elder Clearwater is standing next to the Eventide Fountain. Like the Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza, the first angler to deliver their Blacktip Shark each week wins the main prize. The winner will be announced by a yell. Elder Clearwater has a powerful voice!
5. If you did not win...
Later anglers can still turn in their sharks to Elder Clearwater for a lesser reward. At 15:00, Elder Clearwater will yell across Northrend that the contest is over. Blacktip Shark will stop appearing in pools. Elder Clearwater remains in Dalaran until 16:00, to allow sharks to be turned in.
Rewards
The first angler each week to deliver the Blacktip Shark to Elder Clearwater wins the Kalu'ak Fishing Derby. They complete the quest, Kalu'ak Fishing Derby, which has a choice of 2 rewards:
- Dread Pirate Ring
- Binds on Account, Unique-Equipped.
- Scales by level 1-80. Bonuses at level 80: +34 Stamina, +53 Critical Strike, +29 Hit Rating.
- Experience gained from killing monsters and completing quests increased by 5%.
This ring is an heirloom ((it can be mailed to and used by another character on the same account)). It's also currently the only ring with an experience bonus. It is assumed that this experience bonus stacks with other similar items (such as +10% shoulders).
- Boots of the Bay
- Skill bonus: +15.
- Minimum fishing skill required: 200.
- Use: Whisks you away to the finest drinking establishment in Booty Bay (1 Day Cooldown).
Boots of the Bay are cloth boots that bind to the angler - they cannot be traded or mailed. The +15 bonus makes these the best anglin' footwear available. Boots of the Bay are a stylish dark blue, with light blue trim (illustrated).
Winning the Kalu'ak Fishing Derby awards the achievement "Master Angler of Azeroth". The same achievement can be gained by winning the Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza. You do not need to win both contests for the achievement - just one. Anyone that previously earnt "Master Angler of Stranglethorn Vale" (by winning the Stranglethorn contest) now has "Master Angler of Azeroth" instead. The Master Angler is considered the most challenging part of becoming Salty.
The winner also gains Kalu'ak reputation (5000, not confirmed) and 26g 46s (at level 80).
Once the winner has been announced, any angler can deliver a Blacktip Shark to Elder Clearwater and complete the quest, Better Luck Next Time. This quest rewards 5 Sharpened Fish Hook, 13g 26s (at level 80), and some (unconfirmed) Kalu'ak reputation. This second quest is repeatable - you can try and catch a second shark if you wish. It is even possible for the winner to catch a second shark and turn it in for Sharpened Fish Hooks.
Learn More
- Kalu'ak Fishing Derby - Forum discussion.
- Kalu'ak Fishing Derby News - Newly discovered information about the contest.
- Kalu'ak Fishing Derby Strategy - Discusses preparation and strategies for winning the Kalu'ak Fishing Derby.
- Contests - Describes Azeroth's fishing contests: What you need to do, what you can win, and how to win.
- Kalu'ak Fishing Derby from the Test Realm - Kaliope's first experiences.
