What is the best way to kill a ratholos in monster hunter tri

I killed Ratholos with full Rathian armor with a Earth Core Hammer. I hit his feet and body until he was stamina deprived. I then put him in a pitfall trap and went to town on his head. I then stunned him in the trap so he was in there for a very long time. After a few more hits he was ready to cap with a shock trap.