OSRS Barbarian Fishing XP Per Hour Guide

Barbarian Fishing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most efficient ways to train Fishing while also gaining passive Strength and Agility experience. This method, part of the Barbarian Training miniquest, is popular for its decent XP rates and relatively low-effort gameplay. In this guide, we’ll break down the XP per hour for Barbarian Fishing, covering requirements, methods, gear, and tips to maximize your efficiency. Whether you’re aiming for 99 Fishing or just want to level up quickly, this post has everything you need to know.

Barbarian Fishing is a unique training method that uses a heavy rod to catch leaping fish at specific spots, primarily near Otto’s Grotto at Baxtorian Falls. Unlike traditional fishing, it offers experience in three skills: Fishing, Strength, and Agility. This makes it a fantastic choice for players looking to multitask their skill training. Let’s dive into the essentials to get started.

Requirements for Barbarian Fishing

Before you can start Barbarian Fishing, you need to meet certain skill thresholds and complete a small portion of the Barbarian Training miniquest. Here’s what you’ll need:

Fishing Level 48: To catch leaping trout.
Strength Level 15: Required for leaping trout.
Agility Level 15: Also needed for leaping trout.
Barbarian Training: Speak to Otto Godblessed and ask about fishing rod techniques to unlock the method.

Higher levels unlock better fish, like leaping salmon (Fishing 58, Strength 30, Agility 30) and leaping sturgeon (Fishing 70, Strength 45, Agility 45), which boost XP rates.

How to Start Barbarian Fishing

To begin, head to Otto’s Grotto, located north of Baxtorian Falls. You can get there quickly using a Games Necklace to teleport to the Barbarian Outpost and running south. Talk to Otto, select the dialogue option about fishing rods, and search under his bed to obtain a Barbarian Rod. You’ll also need bait—feathers are the most common and cost-effective choice. Fishing spots are right next to Otto’s Grotto, making it a convenient training location.

XP Rates for Barbarian Fishing

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The XP per hour from Barbarian Fishing varies depending on your Fishing level, whether you use tick manipulation, and how efficiently you drop fish. Below, we’ll outline the rates for both AFK and 3-tick methods, so you can choose what suits your playstyle.

AFK Barbarian Fishing XP Rates

The AFK method involves fishing and dropping fish using the shift-drop technique (enable it in your settings for faster dropping). Here’s what you can expect without tick manipulation:

Fishing Level	Fish Caught	Fishing XP/Hour	Strength XP/Hour	Agility XP/Hour
48	Leaping Trout	23,000	2,300	2,300
58	Leaping Salmon	37,000	3,400	3,400
70	Leaping Sturgeon	48,000	4,400	4,400
80	Leaping Sturgeon	52,000	4,700	4,700
90	Leaping Sturgeon	54,000	4,900	4,900
99	Leaping Sturgeon	57,000	5,200	5,200

These rates assume you’re dropping fish quickly and not banking, as banking significantly slows down XP gains. The passive Strength and Agility XP is a nice bonus, especially for players with lower levels in those skills.

3-Tick Barbarian Fishing XP Rates

For those willing to put in more effort, 3-tick fishing can nearly double your XP per hour. This method involves tick manipulation using actions like herb-tarring or cutting fish to reduce the time between fishing attempts from 5 ticks to 3 ticks. Here are the approximate rates:

Level 58: 68,000 Fishing XP/hour, 6,200 Strength XP/hour, 6,200 Agility XP/hour
Level 70: 90,000 Fishing XP/hour, 8,200 Strength XP/hour, 8,200 Agility XP/hour
Level 99: Up to 110,000 Fishing XP/hour, 10,000 Strength XP/hour, 10,000 Agility XP/hour

The 3-tick method requires practice and focus, but it’s one of the fastest ways to train Fishing in OSRS. You’ll need additional items like herbs, tar, or a knife for cutting fish, which can also grant Cooking XP.

Optimizing Your Barbarian Fishing Setup

To get the best XP rates, your gear, inventory, and technique matter. Let’s go over how to set yourself up for success.

Recommended Gear

While Barbarian Fishing doesn’t require fancy equipment, a few items can boost your efficiency:

Angler’s Outfit: Obtained from the Fishing Trawler minigame, it provides a 2.5% XP boost when the full set is worn.
Rada’s Blessing: From the Kourend & Kebos Diary, this gives a chance to catch double fish (no extra XP, but faster inventory clearing).
Barbarian Rod: Essential for this method.
Feathers: Stock up on thousands, as each catch consumes one. They’re cheap on the Grand Exchange.

Inventory Setup

Your inventory should prioritize convenience and speed:

Barbarian Rod
Feathers (several thousand)
Knife (optional for cutting fish to get roe/caviar, which can be used as bait)
Herbs and Tar (for 3-tick fishing, if using the herb-tar method)

For AFK fishing, keep it simple with just the rod and feathers. For 3-tick, bring the extra items needed for tick manipulation.

Tips for Maximizing XP Per Hour

Barbarian Fishing can be tedious, but these tips will help you stay efficient and avoid burnout.

Use the Shift-Drop Method

Enable the shift-drop option in your settings to drop fish quickly by holding shift and clicking. This saves time compared to right-clicking each fish, boosting your XP per hour.

Master 3-Tick Fishing

If you’re aiming for the highest XP rates, practice 3-tick fishing. Use a plugin like RuneLite’s Visual Metronome to time your actions. Start with the herb-tar method: use a guam leaf on swamp tar, then click the fishing spot. Once you’re comfortable, try the cut-eat method (cutting fish and eating roe/caviar) for bonus Cooking XP.

Stock Up on Feathers

Running out of feathers mid-session kills your momentum. Buy 10,000+ feathers from the Grand Exchange to avoid interruptions. They’re inexpensive and stackable.

Avoid Banking

Banking fish is not worth it for XP-focused training. Leaping fish have low value, and the time spent running to a bank (even with teleports) drastically cuts your XP per hour. Shift-drop instead to stay at the fishing spots.

Is Barbarian Fishing Worth It?

Barbarian Fishing is a top-tier method for players who want to train Fishing efficiently while gaining some Strength and Agility XP on the side. Here’s a quick pros and cons breakdown to help you decide if it’s right for you.

Pros of Barbarian Fishing

Multi-Skill Training: Gain Fishing, Strength, and Agility XP simultaneously.
Decent XP Rates: Up to 57,000 Fishing XP/hour AFK and 110,000 with 3-tick at level 99.
Low Intensity: The AFK method is semi-relaxed, perfect for multitasking.
No Banking Needed: Dropping fish keeps you at the fishing spot.

Cons of Barbarian Fishing

No Profit: Leaping fish are low-value, and dropping them means no gold.
Click-Intensive (3-Tick): The high-XP method requires focus and practice.
Repetitive: Like most skilling, it can feel grindy over long sessions.

When to Switch Methods

Barbarian Fishing is best from level 58 (when you can catch leaping salmon) to 99 if you prioritize XP over profit. However, at level 71, 2-tick harpooning swordfish/tuna in Piscarilius can offer higher Fishing XP (up to 130,000/hour) but no Strength or Agility gains. If your Agility and Strength are low, stick with Barbarian Fishing to boost those skills passively. For a more AFK alternative, Tempoross (level 35 Fishing) provides 30,000–95,000 XP/hour and some rewards.

In conclusion, Barbarian Fishing is a stellar choice for efficient Fishing training in OSRS, especially if you value the bonus Strength and Agility XP. With AFK rates up to 57,000 Fishing XP per hour and 3-tick rates reaching 110,000, it’s versatile for both casual and hardcore players. Equip your Barbarian Rod, stock up on feathers, and hit the fishing spots at Otto’s Grotto to start your journey to 99 Fishing!