fishing with guides...

[Triton4Bass]

Next month a friend and I have scheduled a day on the "G" with the "Spinnerbait Kid". I've never really been out with a guide, but I think it'll be pretty neat. I know it's gonna cost us $75 each for 4 hrs on the water, which is not too bad if he shows us some good places to fish. I guess most people use the guides more to gain knowledge on hot spots/ areas, rather than just hoping to have a great day on the water with a bunch of fish. Just thought I'd bring it up and see what kind of opinions you guys have on using guides. I know quite a few guides interact w/ CFF, how many information do you guys usually spill on a regular trip? When we go I'll post it and let everyone know how it went, hopefully I'll have some HOF pics! emoSmile

 

[DHaun]

I have hired several guides in FL and one on Weiss. I think that's the best way to learn how to fish productive water fast and is worth every penny based on what you get out of it. Especially on out of town trips where your going to pay for extra gas hauling your boat, pay extra to store it, spend time launching it and then finally spending your vacation time trying to learn how/where to fish. Every guide I have ever been with has been very helpful and sharing with information. If I ever move down to FL the first fishing trip I take will be with a guide to show me the ropes of that area. Its a great investment in my opinion.

Have a great trip Triton4Bass!

 

[Pointer 78]

You're limiting yourself Josh. Alex is young but experienced. His prices are more reasonable than most. You need to book a full day with him. Heck, since you're splitting the cost, it's more than worth it. Tell him what you're looking to learn before your trip. He'll oblige you.

 

[fyvols]

Alex is a very nice young man. I'm sure you will enjoy his company and I bet catch some nice fish too.

 

[Jmax]

Pointer took the words right out of my mouth. Tell him what you are doing. If he is like most guides he will go where he knows you can catch a fish or two and milk that area as long as you are boating a couple. You can get all caught up catching and cut the learning and scouting short if you are not careful. Tell him you would like to see several areas and want a tour of the lake. That way he may show you several areas that may produce instead of just the one where you catch a few. Just some food for thought. Jmax

 

[shsimons]

I go fishing with guides a lot, especially if I'm going on a "trip." If I go to northern Ohio for Steelhead 1 day a year and I need special equipment, spawn eggs, etc, I'd rather just split the cost with a buddy and have fun catching tons of fish. It's not worth driving 5 hrs and catching nothing. As far as going with a guide to learn some spots, I would take Jmax's advice in having him show you a lot of stuff. You might not catch as many as staying on one great spot, but for your future trips you will know a lot more. A good guide will show you true spots, because a good guide has so many of them it doesn't hurt to show you a few.

 

[Bprice]

Triton,

You won't be disapointed with Alex. He's an excellent fisherman and an excellent guide. You'll have a lot of fun with him on the water. He is on the water more than ANYONE on Guntersville, he fishes through it all. I think he gets a bum wrap from a lot of folks on the lake, for his youth, and maybe that he sags (haha). They can get over it, because he can flat out slam the bass.

You'll probably leave with 9 Kisler Rods too!

Enjoy it, and as Pointer said, book a full day.

Let us know how you do!

 

[Louie B]

T4B---

I've been guiding on Carters now for 3 years and I've also hired guides on un-familiar water.... In my experience some people want to go catch fish for the good time, others want to learn more about areas/techniques used on the lake.... For example I've had people who wanted to go and strictly learn about drop-shotting and vertical electronic fishing even when that bite wasn't on good, so let Alex know what you want to get out of the trip.... That is always the first question I ask before a trip, what do you want to gain out of this.... I've always said guides are there to show somebody a good time but most of all to cut down on the learning curve on a new body of water or lake thats given you trouble in the past. I agree w/ what the others are saying about your trip hours especially this time of year you'll want to go on a full day trip take it all in, learn as much as you can and get your $$$$ worth....
I hope you have a great time, let us know how it goes for you.

emoThumbsup

LB

 

[blade]

I fished with Alex last year and we had at least a 20lb stringer which is still my personnel best for 5 fish. My friend who is just getting started in fishing caught his personnel best not only once but twice with 2 fish over 5lbs. I have been fishing for at least 20 yrs and when we left the lake that day I was amazed at what I learned by watching and asking questions. Make sure to ask why your fishing each location.

 

[slo-ride]

I've booked many trips with guides over the past years...both in-area and inshore/gulf coast.


A "good" guide is worth his weight in gold(BFG, i KNOW is a good'un..and rsimms, i have NO DOUBT, is too)...a "bad" guide isn't worth anything but the trip you book him for(no matter how many fish you catch). I've had both good and bad/// A good one will not only work his arse off to put you on fish, but will be informative...don't judge your first trip with a guide as to "how many fish i catch"...remember, fishing is fishing...even with a guide....the hardest trips for a guide, IMO, is when the fish aren't biting OR(probably worse) the clients can't catch biting fish.
I would also be specific about questions...as in patterns/techniques, not locations.
And lastly, if he's done a good job for you, tip him accordingly and book him again!!

 

[Triton4Bass]

Triton-LB - 2/18/2007 8:51 PM

T4B---

"I've been guiding on Carters now for 3 years and I've also hired guides on un-familiar water...."

LB I didnt know you did some guide work on Carters, I've fished there a good bit but never been successful. I'd like to book a trip with you b/c I know you could teach me a few things. Since Carters is so close, If I could get on some fish there it would save some long trips. I may stop by Pro-Lure or if you'd like to give me your number I'll get in touch with you and look at booking a trip, If your up for it. ALSO, THANK YOU GUYS WHO HAVE REPLIED, YOU'VE GAVE ME A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT.

 

[Louie B]

T4B you have a PM. emoUpsmile

LB

 

[Guest]

I have no personal experience with guides but I know they will help a lot. Ask paulj about guides. He hired one on Guntersville a couple weeks ago right before a tournament and got enough information to win the tournament. That is pretty valuable right there.

Cheez

 

[rsimms]

Triton4Bass - 2/18/2007 3:54 PM
I know quite a few guides interact w/ CFF, how many information do you guys usually spill on a regular trip?

Probably more than I should.. emoLaugh I got into this because I want to share the great resources we have with those who might normally never experience it, or those who want to learn how to get more out of their own experience. It is not at all unusual for me to return to a fishing spot after taking a client and find them there in their own boat. I don't mind... they paid me to learn something and they deserve to use what they learned. And in many cases, they turn around and help me by providing me with helpful information. As badly as a we want to think otherwise, there really are very few "secrets" out there. The key to successful fishing is the "three P's" ... Persistence (or patience), Place and Presentation. And even if you teach folks the "place" and "presentation," the overwhelming majority won't do too well in the "persistence" part.

 

[Bprice]

I knew that was PaulJ on BFHP with Troy!

 

[BigFishGuide]

If you book a trip with me I can guarantee you that I'm not holding anything back. I may save the best spot for last cause I want to make a lasting final impression but I want to put you into the most fish and biggest fish that I can. You as a client paid for that information and I dont save the good spots for just friends and family. I have gone back to certain areas the next day to see the client that I had in the boat the day before sitting right where he or she needed to be catching fish. Those fish and fishing spots are not mine and nor are they his. By him/her purchasing a day on the water with me he or she has bought everything that I possibly know about how where and when to catch the fish Which is about 35 years worth of knowledge on Nick-A-Jack. Also I find that it's better to find out what the client is wanting from a trip. Whether the clint just want's to Rock fish or just bass fish or a combination. Communicate with the guide and tell them what you expect to get out of the trip and don't be afraid to ask questions like why are we fishing here or why this particular bait. Guides are full of information. Information that has taken them years to acquire and most are willing to share that information with you as a paying customer over the coarse of a day. And last of all the best thing a client can do for a guide is advertise for him. Best advertisment is by word of mouth. I'm going to work my butt off to make sure your day on the water with me is one that you will remember and one that you will want to tell your friends and family about. And nothing says it better when you have several repeat clients calling you to book a trip bringing new folks with them to experience what they did on the first, second and third trips. That's a good feeling.