1. What is the daily limit of specific fish species at Lake of the Ozarks?
The daily limit of Crappie on Lake of the Ozarks is 15 per angler and fish must be a minimum of 9 inches long to keep. The daily limit of Channel and Blue Catfish is 10 per angler and no more than 2 of your Blue Catfish creel may exceed 34 inches. Blue catfish 26-34 inches long must be immediately released unharmed as they're part of a "protected slot" to maintain a healthy catfish population in the lake. At Barber Guide Service we practice catch and release black bass (Largemouth and spotted bass) fishing. As an FYI, the daily black bass limit is 6 bass which must be a minimum of 15 inches long. Spotted bass or Kentucky bass must be a mimimum of 12 inches to be a legal keeper. The White Bass daily limit is 15 per angler and no more than 4 of your creel can be longer than 18 inches. The Walleye limit on Lake of the Ozarks is 4 fish and they must be 15 inches to keep. (Walleye are relatively scarce on Lake of the Ozarks) In Missouri the state code requires each angler to be able to identify the specific fish they caught at all times. When fish are put in a shared livewell we mark fish with colored markers for clients to satisfy the code requirement.
2. How much does a fishing license cost and where can I buy it? Missouri Residents can purchase an annual fishing permit for $12.00. Non-resident annual permits cost $49.00 and daily fishing permits are a very affordable $8.00. Missouri fishing licenses can be purchased at retail outlets such as Walmart, or local bait and tackle shops such as Fitz, Giers, or North Shore Shopping Center. Permits can also be purchased online at www.mdc.mo.gov/buypermits.com. If you purchase your permit from the MO fishing app there will be no surcharge assessed for online purchase. You can also purchase a permit via telephone from the MDC at 1-800-392-4115 and pay a $1.00 surcharge. Be advised that you must provide a valid social security number to purchase a Missouri fishing permit. Any anglers under age 16, and Missouri residents age 65 and over do not need a fishing permit. Per the MDC code, if you are required to possess a fishing permit to fish in the state of MO you should have the permit in your possession while fishing. Be advised there are permit discounts, exemptions, and exceptions for specific individuals such as active military, disabled, etc. outlined at the Missouri Department of Conservation website and we encourage you to review this information to determine eligibility. www.MDC.mo.gov
3. How many fishing rods can I utilize in Missouri? Missouri has a 3 rod limit per anglers, however you can utilize more than 3 rods if you put your conservation number or full name and address on each rod. Regardless of the method or number of poles, you may not use more than a total of 33 hooks at any one time. Barber Guide Service provides all the rods and tackle needed for your charter.
4. Jug fishing for catfish: In Missouri one can legally utilize up to 33 hooks per angler at one time. Catfish jugs must be attended at least hourly unless they are properly anchored to the lake bottom. We often utilize catfish jugs on our charters.
5. How many anglers does Barber Fishing Guide Service allow on a fishing charter? Our pontoon boat charters can accommodate up to 6 passengers and bass boat charterss up to 3 passengers. The max allowed number of anglers/passengers per fishing charter is 6.
6. What do I need to bring on a fishing charter? You should bring your MO fishing license, sunscreen, and some form or eye protection such as sunglasses, safety glasses, prescription glasses, etc. Eye protection is an important safety consideration when fishing. A hat is recommended and appropriate clothing is vital in extremely hot or cold weather. We keep rain gear on our boats for passengers to utilize when needed. Barber Fishing Guide Service provides complimentary soft drinks and bottled water on fishing charters. If desired, anglers age 21 and over can bring beer or seltzer drinks on their charters so long as they're in cans vs. glass bottles and consumed in a responsible manner. More details pertaining to alcoholic beverages is contained in the terms and conditions tab of our website. You can bring food or snacks however we ask that you bring a limited amount of carry on items as space is limited.
7. What do I need to bring on day cruises and non-fishing charters? In addition to sunscreen and sunglasses, you may want to bring snacks and beverages per the guidelines listed above. Your captain will bring complimentary bottled water and soft drinks on the vessel. You should also bring a government issued ID, towel, credit card or cash, and a hat for sun protection.
8. Do I need to bring my own life jacket? All of our vessels carry Coast Guard approved life jackets for adults and children and we encourage their use. Missouri law requires children under age 8 to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times while on the water and we encourage all passengers to wear them. On our fishing charters vessels we provide auto inflator life jackets that are quite comfortable as well as traditional Coast Guard approved life jackets.
9. Will you clean my fish catch? Unlike other Lake of the Ozark fishing guides, we clean and process your catch as part of our service at no addtional charge. We also package your processed fish on ice for transport. You don't need to bring an ice chest unless you're travelling a long distance as our process (frozen water bottles) and packaging (zip lock bags and sealed carry bags) makes it convenient to get your catch to your destination. If interested, we will also teach you how to properly filet and process fish.
10. Can we release all of the fish we catch? Absolutely, many of our customers choose to do so. If desired, we can take a photograph of your catch and quickly and safely return the fish to the lake unharmed. Largemouth Bass fishing is catch and release.
11. Do I need to be a highly skilled angler to participate in a fishing charter? Absolutely not. We frequently take first time anglers, children, and those who haven't fished in decades or years on our charters. We enjoy teaching and helping anglers learn and accomplish their specific fishing goals.
12. Can I go on a fishing charter or lake cruise if I have a disability? As we operate pontoon boats, we can often accommodate those with physical limitations. Please keep in mind that most adult wheelchairs will not fit through a pontoon boat door so each passenger must be able to ambulate to board the vessel. When we take passengers with limited ambulation on charters we will arrange pick up at a location that has an elevator to the boat dock and no stairs. If a prospective customer or a member of their group has a medical, physical, or cognitive challenge please discuss with us beforehand and we'll do our best to meet your needs.
13. Should I go on a fishing charter with my family or friends if I don't like to fish? Absolutely, you don't have to fish. We encourage you to attend and experience time on the water as our boats are comfortable and you'll see interesting sights. Please keep in mind the Coast Guard mandated passenger limit is 6 people per vessel. We do our very best to meet the wishes and needs of all charter participants while adhering to the rules.
14. Is there a toilet available on the boat? Our boats don't have toilets however during your charter we can stop at a marina that has a public restroom if desired. If a bathroon stop is likely we can fish in close proximity to a public restroom. Just let the captain know ahead of time so he/she can plan accordingly.
15. Does Barber Fishing Guide Service provide rods, reels, bait, and all necessary equipment for fishing charters? Yes, we provide all of the fishing tackle and gear needed for a successful fishing charter. Some customers prefer to utilize their own rods, reels, and tackle and thats fine, just let us know ahead of time and we will discuss whether your tackle will be appropriate for the techniques we will be using. We have rod/reel options including bait cast, spin cast, and closed face. We also have tackle for right and left handed anglers. Let us know which type of reel you prefer and which hand you want to reel with and we'll have the proper options on the boat. On Crappie and Bass fishing charters most of our customers utilize spin cast reels. On catfish charters we typically utilize bait cast reels. We also provide live bait when needed to be successful.
16. Will you provide instruction during the charter to help me or my group members be successful? Absolutely! We love to teach fishing skills, use of tackle, electronics/fish finders, and many other angling aspects as we want all customers to be successful.
17. Can we bring alcoholic beverages on the charter? Yes, and this is elaborated upon in the Terms and Conditions tab of our website. if you are age 21 or over, have your ID with you, and follow the rules outlined in the aforementioned website tab, it's ok to bring beer or seltzer drinks (no hard liquor) on board the vessel in metal cans. (No glass bottles)
18. Will you pick us up at our waterside hotel or VRBO rental boat dock? Yes, so long as your location has a safe and accessible boat dock within a reasonable distance of our boat dock. This topic is elaborated upon in the first tab of our website (for fishing charters) and in the boat cruise tab for non-fishing charters. Lake of the Ozarks is 93 miles long so we need to carefully consider pick-up location. Please note we also have a "Lodging" tab in our website so prospective customers can readily identify hotel and resort locations near our boat dock.
19. Are morning or afternoon fishing charters more successful? Which day of the week should we fish? This varies day to day based on weather changes, barometric pressure, water conditions, boat traffic etc. Boat traffic is a consideration in the summer at Lake of the Ozarks and its always best to fish on a weekday if your schedule allows. (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday have less boat traffic) We catch fish on weekend days but the water can be rougher and less enjoyable. Over time we catch a similar number of fish during AM and PM charters. It's impossible to accurately predict whether a morning or afternoon charter will be more successful when booking a charter weeks or months ahead of time. One should also consider drive time from your home or lodging location in determining whether to schedule an AM or PM charter. Our boat dock address is located at the bottom of each page in our website however for your convenience it is 29491 Brookridge Road, Rocky Mount, MO 65072. We offer 4, 6, or 8 hour fishing charters. Most choose 4 hour fishing charters, especially if they have young children or elderly members in their group, the weather is very cold, hot, etc. Our morning charters typically begin at 7AM and afternoon charters 2 or 3pm . We try to be flexible in terms of start times however for safety reasons we always want our boats off the water before dark. We may also be able to extend your charter if our schedule allows so don't hesitate to ask your captain if you want to fish longer than the scheduled length of time. See more details in the "rates" tab.
20. Which forms of payment are accepted? We accept major credit cards, cash, and checks. Please be advised that we charge a 3.5% credit card surcharge as this is the amount our credit card processor charges us. You can avoid this fee by paying with cash or check. Payment for services rendered is due at the end of your charter. For your convenience, our deposit/cancellation policy is provided below.
21. How much should I tip a first mate or charter captain? All gratuities are sincerely appreciated as our team members strive to do their very best to exceed customer expectations. In the charter industry, the standard tip amount is similar to food service, approximately 20%. Some tip a higher amount when they feel it is warranted.
22. Is an advance deposit required to reserve a charter? Amount? Cancellation policy? As you'll read below, our policy is to charge a $100 fee for charter reservations. In doing so, it is agreed we have your permission to charge your card $100 should you cancel within 14 days of your scheduled charter. We will not charge your card if you cancel more than 14 days prior to your charter or you show up as agreed and scheduled. We appreciate advance cancellation notice (more than 14 days) so we can attempt to book another charter should you cancel. We routinely contact confirmed charter customers a few days prior to the scheduled charter date to confirm and discuss details such as weather, start time, meeting/pick up location, number of anglers/passengers, tackle needs, species target, payment method, any special needs, etc.
Cancellation and deposit policy: A deposit of $100 is required to reserve your charter and credit card information must be provided. We will not charge your card if you show up for your charter as scheduled or if you cancel more than 14 days before your charter. Your credit card shall be charged if you cancel within 14 days of your charter. If your charter is cancelled by Barber Guide Service or the Captain due to dangerous weather (lightning, storms, etc.) or other reasons beyond our control, your credit card will not be charged. If your charter hours are cut short due to dangerous weather, charter cost may be pro-rated and shall be discussed with the charterer. By providing your credit card information to our company you agree to the terms of our cancellation policy.
The daily limit of Crappie on Lake of the Ozarks is 15 per angler and fish must be a minimum of 9 inches long to keep. The daily limit of Channel and Blue Catfish is 10 per angler and no more than 2 of your Blue Catfish creel may exceed 34 inches. Blue catfish 26-34 inches long must be immediately released unharmed as they're part of a "protected slot" to maintain a healthy catfish population in the lake. At Barber Guide Service we practice catch and release black bass (Largemouth and spotted bass) fishing. As an FYI, the daily black bass limit is 6 bass which must be a minimum of 15 inches long. Spotted bass or Kentucky bass must be a mimimum of 12 inches to be a legal keeper. The White Bass daily limit is 15 per angler and no more than 4 of your creel can be longer than 18 inches. The Walleye limit on Lake of the Ozarks is 4 fish and they must be 15 inches to keep. (Walleye are relatively scarce on Lake of the Ozarks) In Missouri the state code requires each angler to be able to identify the specific fish they caught at all times. When fish are put in a shared livewell we mark fish with colored markers for clients to satisfy the code requirement.
2. How much does a fishing license cost and where can I buy it? Missouri Residents can purchase an annual fishing permit for $12.00. Non-resident annual permits cost $49.00 and daily fishing permits are a very affordable $8.00. Missouri fishing licenses can be purchased at retail outlets such as Walmart, or local bait and tackle shops such as Fitz, Giers, or North Shore Shopping Center. Permits can also be purchased online at www.mdc.mo.gov/buypermits.com. If you purchase your permit from the MO fishing app there will be no surcharge assessed for online purchase. You can also purchase a permit via telephone from the MDC at 1-800-392-4115 and pay a $1.00 surcharge. Be advised that you must provide a valid social security number to purchase a Missouri fishing permit. Any anglers under age 16, and Missouri residents age 65 and over do not need a fishing permit. Per the MDC code, if you are required to possess a fishing permit to fish in the state of MO you should have the permit in your possession while fishing. Be advised there are permit discounts, exemptions, and exceptions for specific individuals such as active military, disabled, etc. outlined at the Missouri Department of Conservation website and we encourage you to review this information to determine eligibility. www.MDC.mo.gov
3. How many fishing rods can I utilize in Missouri? Missouri has a 3 rod limit per anglers, however you can utilize more than 3 rods if you put your conservation number or full name and address on each rod. Regardless of the method or number of poles, you may not use more than a total of 33 hooks at any one time. Barber Guide Service provides all the rods and tackle needed for your charter.
4. Jug fishing for catfish: In Missouri one can legally utilize up to 33 hooks per angler at one time. Catfish jugs must be attended at least hourly unless they are properly anchored to the lake bottom. We often utilize catfish jugs on our charters.
5. How many anglers does Barber Fishing Guide Service allow on a fishing charter? Our pontoon boat charters can accommodate up to 6 passengers and bass boat charterss up to 3 passengers. The max allowed number of anglers/passengers per fishing charter is 6.
6. What do I need to bring on a fishing charter? You should bring your MO fishing license, sunscreen, and some form or eye protection such as sunglasses, safety glasses, prescription glasses, etc. Eye protection is an important safety consideration when fishing. A hat is recommended and appropriate clothing is vital in extremely hot or cold weather. We keep rain gear on our boats for passengers to utilize when needed. Barber Fishing Guide Service provides complimentary soft drinks and bottled water on fishing charters. If desired, anglers age 21 and over can bring beer or seltzer drinks on their charters so long as they're in cans vs. glass bottles and consumed in a responsible manner. More details pertaining to alcoholic beverages is contained in the terms and conditions tab of our website. You can bring food or snacks however we ask that you bring a limited amount of carry on items as space is limited.
7. What do I need to bring on day cruises and non-fishing charters? In addition to sunscreen and sunglasses, you may want to bring snacks and beverages per the guidelines listed above. Your captain will bring complimentary bottled water and soft drinks on the vessel. You should also bring a government issued ID, towel, credit card or cash, and a hat for sun protection.
8. Do I need to bring my own life jacket? All of our vessels carry Coast Guard approved life jackets for adults and children and we encourage their use. Missouri law requires children under age 8 to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times while on the water and we encourage all passengers to wear them. On our fishing charters vessels we provide auto inflator life jackets that are quite comfortable as well as traditional Coast Guard approved life jackets.
9. Will you clean my fish catch? Unlike other Lake of the Ozark fishing guides, we clean and process your catch as part of our service at no addtional charge. We also package your processed fish on ice for transport. You don't need to bring an ice chest unless you're travelling a long distance as our process (frozen water bottles) and packaging (zip lock bags and sealed carry bags) makes it convenient to get your catch to your destination. If interested, we will also teach you how to properly filet and process fish.
10. Can we release all of the fish we catch? Absolutely, many of our customers choose to do so. If desired, we can take a photograph of your catch and quickly and safely return the fish to the lake unharmed. Largemouth Bass fishing is catch and release.
11. Do I need to be a highly skilled angler to participate in a fishing charter? Absolutely not. We frequently take first time anglers, children, and those who haven't fished in decades or years on our charters. We enjoy teaching and helping anglers learn and accomplish their specific fishing goals.
12. Can I go on a fishing charter or lake cruise if I have a disability? As we operate pontoon boats, we can often accommodate those with physical limitations. Please keep in mind that most adult wheelchairs will not fit through a pontoon boat door so each passenger must be able to ambulate to board the vessel. When we take passengers with limited ambulation on charters we will arrange pick up at a location that has an elevator to the boat dock and no stairs. If a prospective customer or a member of their group has a medical, physical, or cognitive challenge please discuss with us beforehand and we'll do our best to meet your needs.
13. Should I go on a fishing charter with my family or friends if I don't like to fish? Absolutely, you don't have to fish. We encourage you to attend and experience time on the water as our boats are comfortable and you'll see interesting sights. Please keep in mind the Coast Guard mandated passenger limit is 6 people per vessel. We do our very best to meet the wishes and needs of all charter participants while adhering to the rules.
14. Is there a toilet available on the boat? Our boats don't have toilets however during your charter we can stop at a marina that has a public restroom if desired. If a bathroon stop is likely we can fish in close proximity to a public restroom. Just let the captain know ahead of time so he/she can plan accordingly.
15. Does Barber Fishing Guide Service provide rods, reels, bait, and all necessary equipment for fishing charters? Yes, we provide all of the fishing tackle and gear needed for a successful fishing charter. Some customers prefer to utilize their own rods, reels, and tackle and thats fine, just let us know ahead of time and we will discuss whether your tackle will be appropriate for the techniques we will be using. We have rod/reel options including bait cast, spin cast, and closed face. We also have tackle for right and left handed anglers. Let us know which type of reel you prefer and which hand you want to reel with and we'll have the proper options on the boat. On Crappie and Bass fishing charters most of our customers utilize spin cast reels. On catfish charters we typically utilize bait cast reels. We also provide live bait when needed to be successful.
16. Will you provide instruction during the charter to help me or my group members be successful? Absolutely! We love to teach fishing skills, use of tackle, electronics/fish finders, and many other angling aspects as we want all customers to be successful.
17. Can we bring alcoholic beverages on the charter? Yes, and this is elaborated upon in the Terms and Conditions tab of our website. if you are age 21 or over, have your ID with you, and follow the rules outlined in the aforementioned website tab, it's ok to bring beer or seltzer drinks (no hard liquor) on board the vessel in metal cans. (No glass bottles)
18. Will you pick us up at our waterside hotel or VRBO rental boat dock? Yes, so long as your location has a safe and accessible boat dock within a reasonable distance of our boat dock. This topic is elaborated upon in the first tab of our website (for fishing charters) and in the boat cruise tab for non-fishing charters. Lake of the Ozarks is 93 miles long so we need to carefully consider pick-up location. Please note we also have a "Lodging" tab in our website so prospective customers can readily identify hotel and resort locations near our boat dock.
19. Are morning or afternoon fishing charters more successful? Which day of the week should we fish? This varies day to day based on weather changes, barometric pressure, water conditions, boat traffic etc. Boat traffic is a consideration in the summer at Lake of the Ozarks and its always best to fish on a weekday if your schedule allows. (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday have less boat traffic) We catch fish on weekend days but the water can be rougher and less enjoyable. Over time we catch a similar number of fish during AM and PM charters. It's impossible to accurately predict whether a morning or afternoon charter will be more successful when booking a charter weeks or months ahead of time. One should also consider drive time from your home or lodging location in determining whether to schedule an AM or PM charter. Our boat dock address is located at the bottom of each page in our website however for your convenience it is 29491 Brookridge Road, Rocky Mount, MO 65072. We offer 4, 6, or 8 hour fishing charters. Most choose 4 hour fishing charters, especially if they have young children or elderly members in their group, the weather is very cold, hot, etc. Our morning charters typically begin at 7AM and afternoon charters 2 or 3pm . We try to be flexible in terms of start times however for safety reasons we always want our boats off the water before dark. We may also be able to extend your charter if our schedule allows so don't hesitate to ask your captain if you want to fish longer than the scheduled length of time. See more details in the "rates" tab.
20. Which forms of payment are accepted? We accept major credit cards, cash, and checks. Please be advised that we charge a 3.5% credit card surcharge as this is the amount our credit card processor charges us. You can avoid this fee by paying with cash or check. Payment for services rendered is due at the end of your charter. For your convenience, our deposit/cancellation policy is provided below.
21. How much should I tip a first mate or charter captain? All gratuities are sincerely appreciated as our team members strive to do their very best to exceed customer expectations. In the charter industry, the standard tip amount is similar to food service, approximately 20%. Some tip a higher amount when they feel it is warranted.
22. Is an advance deposit required to reserve a charter? Amount? Cancellation policy? As you'll read below, our policy is to charge a $100 fee for charter reservations. In doing so, it is agreed we have your permission to charge your card $100 should you cancel within 14 days of your scheduled charter. We will not charge your card if you cancel more than 14 days prior to your charter or you show up as agreed and scheduled. We appreciate advance cancellation notice (more than 14 days) so we can attempt to book another charter should you cancel. We routinely contact confirmed charter customers a few days prior to the scheduled charter date to confirm and discuss details such as weather, start time, meeting/pick up location, number of anglers/passengers, tackle needs, species target, payment method, any special needs, etc.
Cancellation and deposit policy: A deposit of $100 is required to reserve your charter and credit card information must be provided. We will not charge your card if you show up for your charter as scheduled or if you cancel more than 14 days before your charter. Your credit card shall be charged if you cancel within 14 days of your charter. If your charter is cancelled by Barber Guide Service or the Captain due to dangerous weather (lightning, storms, etc.) or other reasons beyond our control, your credit card will not be charged. If your charter hours are cut short due to dangerous weather, charter cost may be pro-rated and shall be discussed with the charterer. By providing your credit card information to our company you agree to the terms of our cancellation policy.