How are these ridiculous at any level or regardless of rod? I use Halcyon Rod and am only level 9.. I have little problem bringing them in. Granted they're not as easy as some fish like crayfish or yellow globes, but they're far from hard to reel in. (This is in Port Bastok btw.)
Easy/Cheaper way to get from 92-97 cooking. You will need a high level character to farm king truffle in crawlers nest but believe me its soooo much cheaper and easier than the other suggestions.
