Ocean "bug catching" insanely hard after becoming mermaid?

[Porcelain1985]

Not sure if it's my imagination, but I find underwater "Bug catching" to be extremely hard ever since I've become a mermaid. For example, I had no issue catching the giant isopod before I got the mermaid tail, now the awareness bar seems to fill much quicker, making it much harder to catch. The blue lobster, on the other hand, is absolutely impossible. It senses me from a mile away, often before I can even actually see it. Like, I simply enter the area where it is, and I only catch a glimpse of it running away. Has anyone else experienced this??? Scents don't seem to make any difference whatsoever, and I can't combine them with traps, either.

[Porcelain1985]

Update: I managed to catch the blue lobster. If anyone else is struggling: carefully position yourself in front of it (i.e. in the direction it is walking towards), then ready your net and DO NOT MOVE. Just stand still and let it come to you, catch it as soon as it turns green.

[Nefrarya]

Might be because the merfolk form is inherently faster than the human diving form.

You can use the scents on the traps, but you have to wiggle around to find the exact right spot. Then it asks you if you want to use the scent on the trap instead of Do you want to consume...

[Porcelain1985]

OK, good to know, thanks. Yes, I figured it had to do with the higher speed, but I kinda feel it's a bit annoying that it makes things so much harder. But I'll try again with the traps. Had it working without the scent pretty well, actually.

[Nefrarya]

I'm honestly not sure myself what the benefit of the scent is. I thought it was a guaranteed catch overnight, but I have plenty of scented traps that stay empty.

[Cinderblooms]

Coming in to say that this is... Still an issue. And it's really frustrating, basically locking off an entire segment of the game after progression where, you would think, it should be -easier- to catch critters after no longer stirring up a bunch of sand and silt but nay

[Deputy Dawg]

This is my technique and it works 99% of the time:

Before diving for difficult to catch critters in the ocean, firstly prepare by crafting four traps that are suitable for the type you're after. Either free swimming (floaters), or the ones that move around on legs (crawlers).

Then use the computer to find out where the current spawn points are located, and take a screenshot to refer to once you're down there.

Obs take the traps with you on your dive.

Initially, try to catch it with a net. If that fails, then drop a trap in that exact spot. Repeat this process until you've either caught one, or laid more traps. The rare critters usually only spawn in a select few spots, so four traps should be plenty. Then pop down the next day to check the traps. Empty all the traps of anything inside, and leave them in place until you've caught what you need. Rinse and repeat...

I've stopped baiting traps now, as in my opinion it's not worth the effort.

This works well with insects on land too. I always use traps to catch the Tarantula and Rove Beetle. I usually end up with more than I need. One for an Alter Offering. one for the Museum, some to sell for Steam Achievements and ALWAYS keep one "just in case".

Handy tip here... As soon as they unlock, build at least one Insect House and Fish Pond on your farm. Then you only need to catch one of everything. Use your Fish Pond and Insect House to breed as many as you need. If you always keep one of every fish and insect in a chest, your game will be so much easier.

If you're lucky enough to have an osmium net with the right enchantments, together with the appropriate perks and rings, catching insects and critters will become very much easier.

Happy Hunting