Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of barcode readers, and more particularly, to barcode readers designed to operate in an environment with densely packed barcodes. In an embodiment, the present invention is a barcode reader that includes an imaging assembly operable to capture image frames; an aiming light assembly operable to emit an aiming light; and a controller configured to: decode a barcode within a decode frame image captured by the imaging assembly; upon decoding the barcode within the decode frame image, cause a capture of a picklist frame image; and report the barcode to an external host upon at least some overlap between a location of the barcode within the decode frame image and the location of the at least a portion of the aiming light pattern in the picklist frame image.