Guided trips/ question

Another local at Nimrod and I are talking on opening a guide for hire on Nimrod Lake. Would it be better to offer fishing trips completely furnished or a tag along service where we just guide? I would perfer the tag along service where client furnishes boat and their tackle. Some would not have a boat and we would have to have a different fee scale. I've never fished with a guide .But I've guided alot of people , just never did it for hire. I fish with boat manufactors and lure makers alot. They've tried to tell me to guide ,but being flood control Nimrod can be tough to fish when conditions are bad. :confused:

Don't get me wrong, Nimrod, as I know nothing about guiding...But here are some of my thoughts...

Tag-along vs complete service: I guess it really depends on the potential clients you will have. Will you have more locals or people from out-of-town? People in from out of town may want the whole package, whereas locals may want the tag-along service. Comparing these two services also makes me think about cost. I'm guessing the tag-along service would be much more cost efficient (as you are really just getting paid for labor). The full service guide would have much more inborn expenses (replacing tackle and broken rods, fuel, oil, etc).

If you are taking a bunch of locals out, you better beware that these folks are primarily paying you to "show" them the lake and how to fish it. Don't be surprised when your tops start filling up with people (throwing anchors in your tops, and otherwise generally disturbing them).

I know that you consistently catch nice crappie, Nimrod. But it's like you say, any flood control lake can be difficult to predict. As I've talked to Jerry and Darryl, they say that the majority of folks aren't looking to go out and catch a limit on every occasion. I do think that you know Nimrod well enough to stay with the fish and prosper as a guide.

I may be way off on these thoughts. If so, don't hold it against me...:D

Full Service, better money in it.

If it were me, I would have a complete service. I agree with CEB that your piles will not be yours after too long with the customers equipment.
Even when I know I am welcome, I don't think I could fish Jerry's and Darrell's piles the way they do. If you were tag along, you would be having to instruct the client how to locate the pile and stay on it. I just don't see that being as productive as the guide doing the driving.
I have often wondered how sucessful a guide would be closer to LR for those that wish to make a day trip out of fishing. Greeson or Norfork is about as far as I have gone without spending the night. It sure makes a long day.

Thanks for the imput. Most locals are too cheap or already catch fish . I have people ask about guiding ,but I fish so many spots that are tough to locate without GPS coordinates. For people that want to learn and want coordinates we concentrate on public brushpiles. I don't give up all my spots. I have about 140 spots on GPS , so it's not nessasary to give them all up .:D If we do tag along service it would be to the clients benefit to turn boat control over to the guides.:D

I dont think that you would be getting most local's money anyway...If you wanted to do it, the best thing would be get in touch with Jerry and Darryl... My thought is if your catching fish, people will pay to go do that. Or for people like me that just wants to learn a lake, I will pay someone to take me out and show me some spots...

I definitely would offer the whole package. To many folks come from out of town and do not have equiptment or a boat. I do guide a bunch of locals and occasionally they do want a tag along service, but more often than not even the locals like the full service hassle free trip.
If you have any questions on getting started give me a call at:
479-640-3980 or PM Jerry or Darryl I'm sure they would be of much help as well!

Thanks JT. I'm not real sure about this guiding , but everyone encourages me to do so. A local that does some part time guiding wants me to work with him as he only has weekends most of the time.:D Most of our guiding if I do it will be spring through fall. I hunt alot and winter usually stinks with this lake if the water level messes up.:(

I would say that you might go fish with one of the guides and see how they do it. Maybe get with some business and see if they have any customer that they might like to take on fishing trips.

I have been with Jerry and he is first class. I kinda feel funny when someone else takes my fish off and baits my hook.

Step into it one day at a time.

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Originally Posted by Slipcork

I would say that you might go fish with one of the guides and see how they do it. Maybe get with some business and see if they have any customer that they might like to take on fishing trips.

I have been with Jerry and he is first class. I kinda feel funny when someone else takes my fish off and baits my hook.

Step into it one day at a time.

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Wait a minuet. Jerry and Darryl are stand up guys. They told me how deep to fish, how to put my minnow on, and where to put my line. But, they didn't take my fish off.
DP

The client would have to tip real well or be a blonde bombshell. Otherwise they can take their own fish off. ha!ha!:D Seriously ,what grown fisherman would let someone unhook his fish?:confused:

Yes, I think you'll do better offering entire package. I have not tried the other way, but obviously folks from out-of-town usually don't want to bother bringing gear. And most locals who have gear probably figure they don't need help. I provide boat, bait, rods, reels... the works. They just have to buy a license and then show up and fish. If you're fishing is seasonal, make sure you are clear about that up front in any phone calls, promotional literature, advertising or internet.

Thanks And Welcome To The Forum.:d

I have never guided anyone for money yet but have taken lots of people out on what amounts to a guided trip. One big misconception that I had was that they had to catch a limit of crappie everytime.
As I took more and more different friends out I realized that it wasn't the amount of fish that we caught that day but the quality of the trip that they enjoyed the most.
Not having to be at work or anywhere else for that matter. Being out there with someone familiar with the lake and catching a few fish to boot. Not listening to ringing phones just nature.
I've seen where a mature bald eagle sighting made the whole day for someone or an F-16 or C-130 coming up the lake just above the mountains.
Most occasional fishermen don't have a clue as to what types of equipment or lures are best on any particular lake. Before they run down to the sporting goods store and spend several hundred dollars on equipment they would probably just as soon pay for a guided trip where they could just relax and enjoy the day.:)

slabbandit you said it all brother! There has been some bad fishing days when I've had customers and they did'nt much care because they just enjoyed being out! They may have only caught enough fish for dinner but they enjoyed the scenery and the day! It does stress me pot a bit though!! I've not had any mad customers to this point!!

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Originally Posted by J.T. Crappie Guide

slabbandit you said it all brother! There has been some bad fishing days when I've had customers and they did'nt much care because they just enjoyed being out! They may have only caught enough fish for dinner but they enjoyed the scenery and the day! It does stress me pot a bit though!! I've not had any mad customers to this point!!

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I would like to say that having been J.T.'s customer, I can back up what he says 100% -- the only thing that was NOT pleasant was stepping in the COLD water one morning while stepping into his boat. I fished in 32 degrees with a WET FOOT....however, this was NOT Jason's fault-haha! I agree with slabbandit on his comments, well thought out...as an "amateur" compared to the others on this board, I can tell you that FIRST IMPRESSION means a LOT to me, and most people in general. If you provide someone with a lasting first impression they will more then likely return that business regardless of the weather, conditions, or lack of fish being pulled in...hope my ROOKIE advice is in some way useful....! MM :D