Struck Out On Toho

[RAMBLER]

Just got back from one of the least productive fishing trips I've ever taken. 

 

I thought it would be great to take a couple of days off from the bustle of life and hire a guide to take me fishing on Lake Toho.  Sort of a bucket list thing to do.  The service I did this through charged $325/6 hr. day, put me up in a Holiday Inn at $100/day for two days.  I caught three bass.  One 1lb., one 3 lb., and one 6 lb.  And I had to buy the shiners at $20/dozen.  Took my wife so she could get away for a couple of days, too.  Drove 130 miles (one way) and of course had to eat for a couple of days.  Comes to close to $700.00 to catch 3 fish.

 

Not going to bash the service or the guide.  Wasn't his fault the fish weren't biting.  Just a rant. 

 

I do better than that, fishing locally.  Guess I won't be doing that again. 

 

Now, the weather forecast, for the coming week, is rain, rain, rain.  Better that I put the Bucket List away and get on with the Honey Do List.

 

[RAMBLER]

My wife just came up with the total for our trip to Toho.  (She does things like that.)  It was $878.00 for the three fish.  Sure glad I didn't catch anymore!

[tomustang]

Ouch, that bites! I kind of agree about the guide not having more fish bite but still he should've done something about the poor outing, at least a decent discount on the trip or a rebooking.

$90~ a pound

[Bluebasser86]

Ouch, that bites! I kind of agree about the guide not having more fish bite but still he should've done something about the poor outing, at least a decent discount on the trip or a rebooking.

$90~ a pound

 

I strongly disagree about the guide giving a discount or free trip due to bad fishing. If it's because the guide is bad at his job that's one thing or if they guarantee satisfaction or a certain number of fish to be caught, but they can't force them to bite. I understand the OP's frustration, but at the same time that trip probably cost the guide a lot between having to buy the truck and boat and upkeep of both, gas, all the time spent figuring out that big lake, the equipment if he provided it, and he has to be able to make enough money to make a living while he's at it. A very popular Table Rock guide broke down the numbers on another forum one day, I don't remember the exact figure but it was way more than I expected for him to take someone out each day. As long as I could tell he was trying hard and not just parking me on a spot and leaving the rest up to me I'd have a hard time being upset with them. 

[JellyMan]

The bite in Florida is crazy. Last week I caught 9 fish adding up to 29 pounds. I went out a week later this last Friday and got 1 bite.

 

I feel sorry for the loss of money. If I were running the business, I would hook you up with at least a 50% off day. I would be passionate about my clients having a great time. On the other hand, The guide has no control over the feeding patterns of the Bass.

 

Either way, sorry to hear. I've been out on Toho and caught 10 fish all over 4 lbs and I've been out there and got nothing. 

[KyakR]

That's too bad! My guess is the guide was bummed too.....he makes it on client satisfaction, bite or no. When I hire a guide I'm all into his teaching me, which helps me come away with a sense of having my money's worth even if I don't catch much, except for the guide I had once ice fishing who got pie-eyed drunk and called all his relatives to come out and party....

[Brian6428]

I hired a guide to fish LOZ this past spring. Massive cold front and 2,000 boat tournament led to us getting no fish. That said, he obviously had an unbelievable knowledge of the lake, some days the fish just won't bite! We went back 2 weeks ago and he gave us $50 off and we caught around 13 fish in a few hours!

 

Brian

[topwaterrob]

Man that stinks..... Sometimes even the pros can't get em

[Shane Procell]

_{I can certainly understand your disappointment. That is tough for you and I know it was tough on the guide as well. I have had a few rough days over the years and it was probably more painful for me than it was for the customer. Sometimes no matter how much knowledge and experience you have..the fishing just sucks. Or like you said..they just were not biting. I feel your pain RAMBLER.}

[GeorgiaBassBros]

Sucks about the loss of money but what can ya do. It aint any ones fault those stupid little green fish we all love/hate so much

[Bankbeater]

Wow that's a bummer.