As commented previously, my latest obsession in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King is to collect vanity pets.  I mostly had some pets from quests, the Blizzard Worldwide Invitationals exclusive mini-Tyrael pet, and the three Collector’s Edition pets.  In less than 3 weeks, I boast 58 pets, which means it can be done with certain level of ease, if you are interested.  Some of these vanity pets are rewards from Seasonal World Events, while others are only acquired through Fishing.

I trained fishing from 1-450 in approximately 3-4 days exclusively to fish this baby … the Giant Sewer Rat.  Sadly, I have been fishing him for 6 days.  The first day wasted 8 hours straight if not longer, followed by countless hours of trial and error.

There were several fishing skill enhancements that I attempted.  All around the Dalaran Sewer: The Underbelly, you can find green-glowing crystal potions on the ground.  They respawn in 5-10 minutes, so you can keep looking around in corners, behind crates, and such.  Some spawn underwater, on the docks, even on boats.  There are three spawning spots in the Black Market area within the Underbelly. Check there for Underbelly Elixir.  These have three random effects: transforms you into a wasp, allows you to see other players and NPCs with mage armor sets, or … the most important—transforms you into a Hungry Tuskarr.  The Hungry Tuskarr form grants you a 10 minutes buff that increases your fishing skill by 50.

On a Sunday, go to the Fishing Extravaganza—even if the contest ends, you can still turn in fish to quest NPCs. While fishing during this Sunday-only event, what you are looking for to fish is a Keefer’s Angelfish (rare) and a Dezian Queenfish.

Once you grab these two rare fishes, go back to Booty Bay.  The NPCs have blue question marks on their heads.  You will find Fishbot 5000 near the giant shark hanging from a tall hook near the Booty Bay Bank and the Inn.  Talk to Fishbot 5000 to turn in the rare fish to obtain a Lucky Fishing Hat which grants you +5 Fishing skill.  The Dezian Queenfish will give you a very neat enchant item: High Test Eternium Fishing Line.  It enchants your Fishing Pole permanently with +5 Fishing skill.

Doing the Fishing Daily quests in Terokkar Forest and the Eventide in Dalaran help too.  The rewards from the Bag of Fishing Treasures have a random chance to drop a Glowing Worm that gives you + 100 fishing skill for 1 hour (cooldown) or a Sharpened Fish Hook that gives you + 100 fishing skill for 10 minutes.

Those are a few tips that are optional to aid in your quest to fish the Giant Sewer Rat. I have been fishing mostly with 450 + 192 fishing skill.  However, you don’t really need that much to fish the pet.  I fished it with 450 + 75 lure. I am not certain if some areas of the Underbelly has more chances to drop the pet or not. It did take me probably over 2000 fishing casts to get.  Once I found a spot where I saw another player get the achievement, I focused on that spot. And I got it too.  Probably less than 600 casts on that specific spot.

I would want to share it with others.  The perfect spot to catch this elusive pet is straight beneath the Cantrip & Crow Inn. Two people catching the pet from that spot is good-good on my book. Now … here we go, Mr. Pinchy.