Need Opinions on Guiding

I'm considering becoming a full time charter captain on my home lake of Wateree for catfish, striper, and crappie...I've been fishing it since I was in training pants...

First of all do you think there is enough business available on Wateree alone or would a guide have to fish other lakes? A quick search finds just a few guides on Wateree and I'm not sure why.

Anyone been a guide? Is it worth it? I'm young and love to fish.

What kind of boat should I be looking at...pontoon, bass boats, bay boats?...wouldn't mind something that could go out of Murrells Inlet nearshore on calm days as well.

Now I know you guys have plenty of opinions so let me hear 'em. :Rofl

I would say go for it if that is what you want. But I would try it part time before giving up another stable job just to fish. I t can be fun but it is also a headache some times. Think of all the morons with their favorite beverages or some one that has never fished before. And how weather will effect your fishing trips. Lot of things to think about when dealing with the public for sure . Good Luck.

From what I've seen it's not a get rich quick scheme. Think about what you bring to the job tackle, bait wear and tear on equipment, fuel, all the normal plus extra wear from the morons renting you for the day.
I'm not a guide, however I did take out 3 Wounded warriors for a trip, I ran myself to death trying to keep up. I know if I did it a lot I'd be better at it but boy was I beat.
It seems guides charge $250-$400 for a day. Start adding up your costs and make a decision

Start out part time. I did and found it was not worth the headache everybody tries to beat you down on price. You need 3-400 hundred a day for it to be worth your time.

I wouldn't go out and buy a boat. But a bay boat works nice for guiding.

Why don't you talk to Monk on NC board. I think he used to guide on Wateree.

One guide told me that he never gets to fish anymore...it's aways his clients doing the fishing. Imagine...a 30 lb striper hits a rod and you get the rod out of a holder....and hand it to somebody that doesnt even know which way to turn the reel and he looses the fish.:( Bummer!

Again....fishing is tough for the day and you are obligated to stay out all day regardless. (Not for me!) You have a bad day with not many fish. Do you still charge full price? Rain check...meaning free trip later on?

All of a sudden you dont have many clients so you "forget" to pay your taxes along with your social security. And this happens alot and years down the road youre 62 with nothing to draw to live on. Oh well..."Welcome Walmart Customers!"

Did I mention insurance? Wow! That's a biggie! Right now I think youre looking at $500 per person per month in your familty if youre buying downtown. (Yea...you can find ins. cheaper but it doesnt pay for anything.)

Take a few folks out for a fishing trip, charge them, see if that satisfies you. Gradually work you way into guiding and see if it's for you. Enjoy.:)

This is my blue print thus far, I'm a full time guide in the spring and summer, will it work for you? I don't know, it works for me.

I know more than a few other guides, a couple are wealthy due to family or injury (lawsuit) they are retired from a good job or live in a camper at the marina....

The way I see it, to be young (I'm 32) and live in a decent house with a decent piece of land, not have a rich relative leave you their riches and have a nice enough boat to guide out of you need a profitable way to pay your bills.

Start a successful business, hire guys that pass muster, drug tests and are 100% reliable, pay them better than they can make elsewhere. Treat every single customer as they were you own family, build a reputation as being a 100% straight shooter and a master at your craft.

Take a few years pouring your heart and soul into this business, then when it can run without you there 100% of the time run a few fishing trips, when you get good and build a clientele run a few more. Be prepared to drop the guide service at a moments notice to fill in for a guy or train a new guy when one quits.

Even then you should think of it more as a tax right off for your main business, that is if your lawyer does your articles of incorporation correctly, than a way to make a living, at least in the beginning. Your accountant will play a huge role also.

Before you spend this huge wad on boats, motors, and gear make sure your personal life is up to snuff financially, I know mine wasn't when I was younger.

How good a boat mechanic are you? Unless you can stay in a late model boat with a late model motor you'll need to be a pretty dang good one, while on the water, with clients watching your every move.

Good luck, its a lot harder than anyone gives it credit for and you need to love people as much as you love to fish.

Ryan, Home

Smoothlures, I'll be happy to be your first guinea pig.

Hey thanks everyone, it's a long term thing, not going to run out and get loans, but it's my dream job for sure... Always interested in opinions if anyone else has anything to chime in!

Go to the NC board and get up with Freddie Sinclair. He guides at Jordan and Harris quite often, and is a retired State of NC worker. Freddy is a helluva guy and a straight shooter. He would most likely give you great advice, and as someone said talk to Monk as well.

Good luck, hope it works out for you. I think you have one thing going for you, to be successful you have to love what you're doing. Most days that should be the case for you.

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:pray:pray:pray

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?

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Originally Posted by gabowman

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?

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Heck no. I'm in it because I love it! I'd offer everything I'd do anyway...full 8 hour day winter trophy blue cat trips, over night trips for catfish and crappie with lights, if limits are hit we would catch and release, cull healthy fish in the livewell, or I'd look for a perch school and jerk some of them if they wanted until the agreed time is up.

I'll drop brush, spend whole days marking brush, have live striper/catfish bait ready to go, get CPR recertified, the whole deal.

I'm young, single, and I fish. This is what I love! Guiding or not I'm going to be on the water every day I can. Making it a career would let me be out there even more.

I might add this, I don't think anyone has said anything about it but I've been known to miss it, but you might want to look at what insurance is going to cost you and I think that you'd need all kinds of it to.

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Originally Posted by gcromer

I might add this, I don't think anyone has said anything about it but I've been known to miss it, but you might want to look at what insurance is going to cost you and I think that you'd need all kinds of it to.

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Absolutely. I will not do it without insurance. Need marine liability insurance from what I've seen.

Personal liability too (and ALOT of it too)....there's ALOT of folks out there ready to sue nowadays. (maybe the same thing youre talking about...not sure.)

The only thing I have to add is....just an observation I have made on the Lake and on the parking lot and Marina.When a lake is hot for a few years I would see a lot of Guide services trucks in the parking lot and boats on the water.When a lake has been on a down swing for a while you see fewer of them on the lot and the lake. There are some still around...but business has to fall off. Of course you have less competition then,but all but the most hardcore lose interest in fishing a water that's not doing good. If its a flood control lake....flooding can put you down for a good while.

If something eats at you too bad sometimes you have to do it to get it out of your system. I would never like to guide...other than just taking a friend along once in a while,I like to fish and hunt to much myself to mess with someone else. I have only had a couple guys in my life I would spend a day in a boat with and enjoy it.

I have a good friend that is a guide down at Lake Marion/Moultrie. He is a retired biologist from DNR and really knows his stuff about fish. He does not need the guide money to survive since he is retired. He, along with a good many others were doing really good down there back about 10 years ago. Then all of a sudden the fishing fell off, then the economy went south. Then the economy went south, then the economy went south....There are a limited number of people that will pay to fish Lake Wateree. I do not see the demand from this area to support your business on Wateree. It does not offer great Striper fishing (big fish), it does not offer Hybrid fishing nor is it large enough to really have consistent crappie fishing if you are planning to take your clients to the same brush piles every week....If you decide to do this, I wish you well but I would consider having multiple lakes in the area and good luck with finding consistent clients that will support at least 4 days per week fishing which most likely would just break even with profits coming the fifth and sixth days....

Rush Guide service is who I use on Santee.
He fishes Warren as well.
Call Buster and talk to him about it. He's a great guy and I'm sure he would be willing to share information with you on guiding.

I second the 22' bay boat.

Its what my dad and I both run.

Plenty of room to fish 4 and runs 45 if you have to.

Nothing like having 4 clients on board with a storm coming at you 35 mph in a toon that only runs 25 mph...

Keeping it simple is the best way to get youngsters and older maybe a little less experienced anglers to catch fish.

I fish live shad almost exclusively, 6 rods out the back if up river, 6 rods straight down if in the main body.

I do all the casting up river, I can't imagine having 4 people launching lures all around me....

smooth lures, honest opinion here:

Definitely give it a try, but think at the big picture? who is your clientele going to be? I am set up to guide on multiple lakes (Norman, Wylie, Mt island, Badin and yes Wateree), and basically plan to do it to break even on costs, ect. I now even have a slip i can keep my boat full time on Norman. What i have going for me is location: Big city charlotte, huntersville, mooresville, statesville, Concord, Kannapolis will draw people to fish these local waters.

Lake wateree is located between a rock and a hard spot. Columbia being the closest Metropolitan city, most from there in my opinion will go to Murray. Wateree just wont draw the people in. It never hurts to try, but in my honest opinion it will not be a get rich and fish at least 3 times a week body of water.

You will have to take up golf ya know . You have to have something to get you mind off of your work .