Anyone Ever Use A Fishing Guide

[Mace]

Flying to Concord NC., in a couple of weeks to visit our son. I like to fish, and we have been there a few times in the past and got too fish a farm pond which was great, but now he doesn't have a place for us to go fishing. So I was thinking about trying out a guide, they would have a boat for us to fish from, they would know the water, I would more than likely learn a thing or two about bass fishing, and because we are flying I won't have my gear with me and from what I have read the guide lets you use his equipment, some charge for this service. But the price for the two of us for a day goes from $350.00 and up, kinda steep for one day and if the fishing is bad due to weather or anything else, it could turn out to be a lot of money down the drain. So my question is has anyone used a guide before and what do you think? Was it worth the expense? I am new to this forum and I really like the great info that is on here.

[ClackerBuzz]

fishing as much as possible with as many different people as possible makes for a good fisherman. you learn new techniques and tricks you never would have discovered solo. Years ago I had been fly fishing for 2 seasons with mediocre results. I got a guide the 3rd season and learned more great tips in 4hrs than on my own the first 2 seasons (would have saved me alot of headaches too!). Chances are you are going to learn alot on a guided trip but maybe you need to separate 'learning' from 'catching'. Which is more important? Would you be happy with a little of both? 1/2 day guided trips are usually more affordable (if you choose the AM and the weather/bite is good maybe the guide will let you buck up/upgrade and pay for the rest of the day). good luck!

[M-D]

I have used guides many times over the years. Most of them were worth the expense...we caught fish, I learned some things about the lake and we all had fun. There have been a couple that I cannot say the same for. You need to do some research on each guide, ask them lots of questions, get recent references and CALL the references. Ask the guide about cancellation fees and issues such as using their equipment and bad weather issues. For the most part all the guides in a close area will conduct business alike but not always. For example, most guides will charge half or full day fees and that is based on a certain number of hours but one time when I was at Lake Fork I hired a guide for a full day and he told me that he would fish until I got tired of it...well guess what, we fished from sunrise till after sunset on two different lakes before I got tired!

[roadwarrior]

$350 plus a tip is pretty much the going rate. Without references from someone you know, it's impossible

to tell exactly how the deal works. I have had GREAT guides and even with references, terrible ones. So,

trry to get a referral if you can.

[Mike L]

I plan on doing just that as my son just moved to the Dallas Ft worth area.

There is a lake nearby named Grapevine Lake that I plan on fishing a lot when we visit.

Mike

[shady oaks]

One of the best things I've done. The wife and I went with a guide on Grand Traverse Bay for smallies (my avatar was an average fish that day!). I learned so much that day from smallies, to the Bay, to dropshotting just to name a few. Even put us on fish on inland lakes for the rest of our vacation. I realize I've lost many years of experience of not fishing and am willing to pay to learn from someone else's dedication and knowledge. Plus there's nothing like watching the wife (at least in my case) haul in a 4+ lb. smallmouth topping her personal best by double.

References are important to get, but honestly have you ever heard of somebody giving a referal of a bad experience? Ask about success rate, but also ask about the tough days he's had. If he's NEVER had a bad day with a customer, move on to the next.

[bkohlman]

Never had a guide but I might get one next time I am at Beaver Lake in Arkansas.

[wakeeater]

i have used guides & charters. it is a little on the pricey side, but well worth it. some of the best memories i have with my boys are from guided fishing trips. if you can afford it, do it. you'll atleast learn something new & spend quality time with family. hell, i've wasted that amount on alot dumber things over the years.

[shady oaks]

hell, i've wasted that amount on alot dumber things over the years.

+1 on that, boy have I..........

[Long Mike]

I agree with RW. $350 is about right for a guide. Be sure to get references.

[Sam]

Yep.

Most were great; a few not so great.

But my goal was to learn the body of water and some hot spots which all helped secure the information.

Next guide trip will be in Orlando to fish the Disney lakes when grandkids are 44-inches tall and can ride the rides. Family can take the little buggers to the park and I am going fishing!!!!

[NoBassPro]

Yep.

Most were great; a few not so great.

But my goal was to learn the body of water and some hot spots which all helped secure the information.

Same here. The one thing I will add is the not so great ones I've had were always part time guides. They had good references, but I felt like I was paying them to fish.

[desertwitch]

We use guides when vacationing in a spot we've never fished. It's been well worth the $$ though it can get expensive.

If you don't want to do that and plan early enough, you can join local forums for the area and let them know you'll be heading their way. There are a lot of nice anglers out there who freely offer tips. If you get lucky, you might be able to talk one of them in to taking you out for a day if you offer to pay for gas & expenses. It sure doesn't hurt to ask. We've done this here on our home lakes for out-of-towners we've met on our local forum. They're always appreciative, offer to return the favor when you visit their neck of the woods, and have taught us some new things as well. I'm hoping to luck in to that sort of situation when I visit Hot Springs, Ark next Spring.

[Mace]

first off I want to thank everyone for there reply, getting references is a great idea, I will try that. Man M-D U sure got lucky with that Lake Fork guide, I would have done the asme thing. I have found a couple guides on the web that I need to do more research on. Then there is this place called ReserveFishin.com and I have gone thru there sit and they have come up with 4 different guides, they are mostly guy's that fish in tournaments and guide on the side. The thing is I can't talk to the guide till I book the guide then they will put me in touch with the guide,. Kinda like the fact that they are semi pro's but I wish I could talk to them before choosing one of them. I agree with what a lot of U said about learning from someone else some different fishing things and this is another reason I am thinking about getting a guide. Thank you all again for your helpful replies