He is the only hunter to deduce how the Falcon eluded the Imperials by hiding on the hull of a Star Destroyer (a strategy which, according to the Attack of the Clones audio commentary, he is purported to have figured out after Obi-Wan Kenobi eluded Jango in the Geonosian asteroid rings). He then requests his ship to be placed in the Star Destroyer's garbage, in order to be hidden in it when the warship jettisons the mass before departing, anticipating that the Falcon will use the waste as cover when it detaches from its hiding place. Fett's hunch is correct, and he tracks the ship and surmises that Han Solo is likely headed for Cloud City on Bespin.

Just call him Sherlock! He presumably reports the Falcon's destination to the Empire, allowing Vader to arrange a deal with Lando Calrissian to secure the capture of Solo and the crew. Fett stays at Vader's side as the Sith Lord tortures Han Solo in an attempt to draw Luke Skywalker into a trap. In addition to the reward for Solo's capture from the Empire, Vader allows Boba Fett to take Han Solo, frozen in carbonite, back to Jabba to receive an additional reward, claiming two bounties on the same job. In later Expanded Universe material, it is revealed that Fett charged Jabba a larger amount than the original bounty price. He was able to do this by explaining that the frozen Solo was the unique work of art created by Darth Vader.