Thread: Need Opinions on Guiding

I have never talked to a guide, charter captain or commercial fisherman that did not say it was hard work. But on the same note, none of the successful ones would trade what they do for any other job. And from what you state you would like to do a large 22' bay boat would likely be best as soon as you added in the saltwater side. Best of luck to you if you decide to give it a go.

In reality, I feel fairly certain one can not make a full time living on guiding alone. Fishing is subjective to weather and water conditions, not short changing the fish themselves. I've tinkered with the idea of guiding as well, but once I put the pieces together, and weighed my options, I determined it wasn't for me. I've taken many folks crappie fishing, very few can grasp the technique and style of fishing I do most often, nor can they hang with me for a full day on the water. Most clientele that hire a guide are simply looking for advice on areas and techniques. Once you are known as guide, esspecialy a good one, as an ex member on here stated he did you will be followed and watched by locals which will hinder your ability to consistently put clients on fish. If guiding is still your desire, I would keep my job and guide on weekends only. You will find dealing with the public is a very fickle thing that will try ones patients. Always remember, clients are paying for your knowledge, and expertise. Make no guarantees, simply fish the best you can, explain why you are fishing where you are, and using the technique that are being used. Good luck!

Gonna bump this once for more opinions!

Unless you are a young man or a retiree without any responsibilities or family to care for, I suggest getting and keeping a job. If you still think you must, get answers to the following questions and develop a business plan:

- Who is my clientele?
- How do they find out I am a guide?
- Why would they choose me?
- How much would they be willing to pay?
- What kind of equipment will be required?
- How much will it cost?
- Who is going to finance it?
- How do I handle refunds on bad weather or cancellations?

This is only the beginning of starting a business!

- What do I do when I have a client and my engine breaks down before we leave or when on the water?
- Who cleans and preps the catch for travel at the end of the day?
- On and on and on.........

Smoothlures,,I'd say GO FOR IT!!!! If that's what you think you want to do.Theres a sign in a business in the town I work that reads are you gonna be one of the people in life who will look back and say I wish I would have or be the one that says I'm glad I did???,( of course there trying to sell something within that slogan though).. I would say,start out as a part time guide first to see if you think it may work.I wouldn't go out and get way way in debt and expect guiding to pay for it all,,I try to have it paid for or at least know I can pay for it off of my " regular" job. I think you have a place on the lake,,,that would be a big plus.Probally in the beginning you'd have to be cheaper than the established fellas to get many customers,or offer a NO fish NO pay deal,,,NOBODY want to pay for a Guided trip where there's NO catching involved( believe me I have had to pay for a few expensive boat rides) so the profit margin would be a lot smaller in the begining
What I would suggest is not to try to be the BE ALL,every fish guide.Why,because I know it would be very hard to be good enough to be a every specie,salt water and freshwater guide,mabey narrow it down to say two types of fish and concentrate on them.As far as boats goes there's probably more guides running pontoons and larger aluminum boats than any other.If I lived on the lake I would have myself a pontoon,but I'm nowhere close so I opt for an aluminum v hull for several reasons,,it's roomy,lightweight,easy to pull and I fish in some rough places at times.I primarily fish for 3 species of fish,striper,crappie and catfish,,rally in that order.Ican switch from striper mode to crappie mode in just a few minutes with changing of rod holders ,taking out the bait tank,etc.You WONT find a boat that is set up JUST the way YOU like it,,your gonna have to do that yourself.I have different rod holders for different techniques I use at different times,,planer board setup,,down rod set up,,trolling lures set up,,all fixed up the way I like,,,the next man may see me and say it's all wrong,but it's what works for me.
Good luck in your decision.Id say just start small and if it works,go up from there,example,nascar teams,,look at the big teams that started small and made it big,,Hendricks,,Roush,but the other side of the coin is look at the teams that didn't make it either MWR,is the most recent to fold.Or it's like baseball,,you might strike out this time at bat OR you might hit a home run,,,you gotta try or you will never know.This always helps me too

The thought of guiding has crossed my mind and I'm not going to say it won't happen but certain things will have to happen for me to really think-I NEED to be closer to the lake in order to fish as often as possible to know patterns for certain times of year/conditions, etc. I live about an hour from the lake I fish the most so that's a bit of a problem for me if I were guiding. Also I would really need a bigger boat for the clients to fish comfortably and store all equipment better than what I do.

IF I were to start, it would have to be part time just to get established. I'm not sure how I would handle a time when it is horrible weather conditions and really shouldn't go but the client insists. Also not sure how I would handle a client that is just a pain in the rear(I know what I'd like to do on both examples but gotta be pleasant or no buisiness!). If there were a trip and not many fish were caught I just couldn't be okay with charging someone who may not be in the best shape financially so I could live with cutting price on a bad trip.

Lots to think about!

Theirs a difference in being a guide to catch fish and taking someone fishing!!! Learn the difference.Some guides want only your money!!! A good fishing guide takes you on fishing trip experience you will never forget .If you comfortable and safe with your equipment they will be. They want to catch fish,not set in the boat and watch you fish!! Its not about the money its about the memories that will be with you for a life time.

I knew a guide once that took people striper fishing. He'd take you right behind the dam and "help" you catch your 10 fish limit by him hooking some fish too and then handing the client the rod....all being 1 to 2 lbers behind the dam and as soon as the 10th one (limit) came in the boat he'd reel all the lines up and take you back to shore. Total time on water maybe an hour and the client paid full price which was around $250. I just couldnt live with doing people that way. Could you?