OSRS Barb Fishing Guide for Fast XP and Profits

OSRS Barb Fishing Guide for Fast XP and Profits

Hey, fellow adventurers of Gielinor! If you’re grinding skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and want to level up your Fishing fast, barbarian fishing is hands-down one of the best methods out there. I’ve been hooked on OSRS for years, and I still remember the first time I tried barb fishing at Otto’s Grotto—my fingers ached from clicking, but those XP drops were so worth it! This guide is all about mastering barbarian fishing, written in a chill, conversational vibe. I’ll share my personal tips, tricks, and stories to help you fish like a pro, whether you’re chasing that 99 Fishing cape or just want some extra gold. Let’s dive in!

Barbarian fishing is a special training method in OSRS that combines Fishing, Strength, and Agility XP all in one go. You catch fish like leaping trout, salmon, and sturgeon using a barbarian rod at specific spots, like the one near Otto Godblessed’s hut. It’s not just about the fish—it’s about those sweet multi-skill gains that make it super efficient.

Why do I love it? It’s fast, semi-AFK, and you can make some cash while skilling. When I was grinding for 99 Fishing, barb fishing was my go-to because it kept things interesting. Ever tried juggling multiple skills at once? Barb fishing’s perfect for that!

How It’s Different from Regular Fishing

Unlike normal fishing, barbarian fishing:

It’s a bit more involved than, say, fishing lobsters, but the rewards are way better. Trust me, once you try it, you won’t go back!

Getting Started with Barbarian Fishing

OSRS AFK Fishing  Barb fish with fish barrel  COX  YouTube

Before you can start reeling in those leaping fish, you need to set yourself up. Here’s what I did when I first started, plus some tips to save you time.

Unlocking Barbarian Fishing

To unlock barbarian fishing, you need to visit Otto Godblessed at his hut west of the Barbarian Outpost. He’ll teach you barbarian skills, but you’ve got some requirements:

  • Fishing Level 48: To catch leaping trout (the lowest-tier fish).

  • Strength Level 15: For the barbarian rod techniques.

  • Agility Level 15: To handle the leaping fish.

If you’re close but not quite there, grab a Fishing Potion (+3 boost) or Spicy Stew (up to +5 boost) to hit 48 Fishing. I used a Fishing Potion when I was level 46, and it saved me hours of grinding shrimp!

Starting the Barbarian Training

Talk to Otto and select the “Tell me about barbarian fishing” option. He’ll give you a quick rundown and hand over the barbarian rod (it’s free!). You’ll also need to complete a short task:

  1. Fish a few leaping trout with a regular rod and feathers at the nearby river.

  2. Use a knife to cut the fish into fish offcuts and roe.

  3. Show Otto the offcuts to unlock barbarian rod fishing.

I messed this up the first time because I forgot to bring a knife—had to run back to the GE! Always double-check your inventory.

Where to Fish

The best spot for barbarian fishing is the river right next to Otto’s Grotto, west of the Barbarian Outpost. It’s got sparkly fishing spots that move around, so you’ll need to click often. I love this spot because it’s quiet, and the scenery’s pretty chill. There’s also a bank deposit box nearby at the Barbarian Assault minigame, which is clutch for banking fish.

Ever found a favorite skilling spot in OSRS? Otto’s Grotto is mine for fishing!

Gear and Inventory Setup

Actual XP Rates for Fishing Minnows in OSRS  YouTube

To make barbarian fishing as smooth as possible, you need the right gear and inventory. Here’s what I use, based on hundreds of hours at the river.

Recommended Gear

You don’t need fancy gear, but these help:

  • Angler’s Outfit: Boosts Fishing XP by up to 2.5% if you have the full set. I grinded Fishing Trawler for mine, and it’s so worth it.

  • Dragon Harpoon (optional): If you’re 61 Fishing, you can use its special attack for a +3 Fishing boost. I don’t use it much, but it’s handy for big sessions.

  • Graceful Outfit: Speeds up run energy recovery, which is nice for running to the bank.

If you’re a low-level player, just wear light armor like leather or nothing at all—weight doesn’t matter much here.

Inventory Setup

Here’s my typical inventory:

  • Barbarian Rod: Essential for fishing.

  • Feathers (or fish offcuts): You’ll need thousands—buy 10k+ from the GE for 3-5 gp each.

  • Knife: For cutting fish into offcuts and roe.

  • Teleport Tabs: Barbarian Outpost or Games Necklace for quick travel.

  • Food (optional): In case you take damage from random events.

I always bring extra feathers because running out mid-session is the worst. One time, I had to teleport to the GE with 100 fish in my inventory because I forgot to restock—total facepalm moment!

Barbarian Fishing Mechanics and XP Rates

Now that you’re set up, let’s talk about how barbarian fishing works and what kind of XP you can expect. This is where it gets exciting!

Types of Fish

You’ll catch three types of leaping fish, depending on your Fishing level:

Each fish gives Fishing XP, plus a bit of Strength and Agility XP. I started with trout at level 48, and by the time I hit salmon, the XP was flying!

XP Rates

Here’s a rough breakdown of XP per hour, based on my experience:

These rates assume you’re focused and using feathers. If you’re more AFK, expect slightly less. When I hit 70 Fishing, I was pulling 60k XP per hour, and it felt like I was zooming toward 99.

Banking vs. Dropping Fish

You’ve got two options for the fish you catch:

  • Bank them: Use the deposit box at Barbarian Assault to save fish for Cooking or selling. Sturgeon can sell for 1-2k each, and roe/offcuts are worth a bit too.

  • Drop them: If you’re just chasing XP, drop the fish to save time. I dropped trout and salmon early on but banked sturgeon for some extra gold.

Do you bank or drop your fish? I’m curious what you prefer!

Here’s a table comparing the fish and their rewards:

Fish

Fishing Level

Strength/Agility Level

Fishing XP

Strength/Agility XP

GE Price (gp)

Leaping Trout

48

15

50

5

~100

Leaping Salmon

58

30

70

6

~150

Leaping Sturgeon

70

45

80

7

~1,500

Tips for Max Efficiency

I’ve spent way too many hours barb fishing, so let me share some tricks to make your grind smoother and faster.

Use Fish Offcuts as Bait

Once you cut fish with a knife, you get fish offcuts and roe. Offcuts can be used as bait instead of feathers, saving you gold. I switched to offcuts at level 58, and it cut my costs by half. Plus, you can sell roe for a small profit (50-100 gp each).

Avoid Distractions

Barb fishing isn’t fully AFK—you need to click every few seconds as the fishing spots move. I like to put on a podcast or chat in my clan to stay focused. One time, I got distracted by a random event and missed a whole inventory of fish—don’t be like me!

Boost Your Levels

If you’re close to a level requirement (like 58 Fishing for salmon), use a Fishing Potion or Admiral Pie (+5 Fishing boost). I used an Admiral Pie to start catching sturgeon at 68 Fishing, and it sped up my grind so much.

Train at Peak Times

The fishing spots despawn if you’re too slow, so fish during quieter server times to avoid lag. I usually hop to a low-pop world late at night—smooth sailing!

What’s your favorite way to stay focused while skilling? Music, podcasts, or just vibing?

My Barb Fishing Journey

When I first started barb fishing, I was a mid-level player with 50 Fishing, chasing that Angler’s Outfit. I’d just finished the Fishing Contest quest and was ready for something faster than lobsters. Otto’s Grotto felt like a whole new world—those leaping fish were so cool compared to boring old shrimp! I grinded from 50 to 70 Fishing over a few weeks, banking sturgeon to sell for my first 1M gold stack. It was tedious at times, but seeing my Fishing level climb made it all worthwhile.

One funny moment: I accidentally dropped my barbarian rod while clearing my inventory and panicked thinking I’d lost it forever. Turns out, you can just grab another from Otto—phew! Ever had a dumb OSRS moment like that?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made plenty of blunders while barb fishing, so here’s how to avoid them:

  • Forgetting a Knife: You can’t get offcuts without one. I forgot mine once and wasted feathers for hours.

  • Not Using Presets: Set up a bank preset with your rod, feathers, knife, and teleports. It saves so much time.

  • Ignoring Agility/Strength Levels: If your Agility or Strength is too low, you can’t catch certain fish. Check your levels before starting.

What’s a skilling mistake you’ve made in OSRS? We’ve all got stories!

Final Thoughts

Barbarian fishing is one of the best ways to train Fishing in OSRS, and it’s a blast once you get the hang of it. From the chill vibes at Otto’s Grotto to the satisfying XP drops, it’s a grind I keep coming back to. Whether you’re a low-level player just starting out or a veteran aiming for that 99 Fishing cape, this method’s got you covered. I hope my tips and stories help you make the most of your barb fishing journey. So, what’s your next OSRS goal? Fishing 99, a new boss, or something else? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear about it!