Becoming a bass guide: getting started

[Megastink]

I'm not writing this because I'm  looking to become a guide. But I've always wondered what it takes to get started. Obviously a lot of knowledge and consistency on the waters you guide on, but rather I'm curious as to the costs. What are typical rates (I live in southeast PA and fish smaller waters), challenges (besides finding fish/catching fish). What's the profit margin for a guide? How much could one expect to make? 

I know there are thousand variables, but I'd like to hear from some guides. I'm sure they're on here. Thanks!

[dave]

My fishing partner and best friend has been a part time multi-species guide for 24 years.  Over the last ten,  he kept trying to get me to join him,  as he was turning away business  because he didn't have enough time to do the trips. (we work full time jobs).  He kept insisting that I was fully capable and I needed to just get to it.  One of the things for me was a trepidation regarding a USCG Captain's license.  It is required when you fish navigable waters.  I hadn't had to do any serious learning and take a three hour exam in thirty years...that was a concern for me.   Finally,  I just said okay and threw myself into the course and the exam.  Three years later,  I'm doing great.  It's hard work and a lot of prep of tackle, boats and expensive licensing.   It costs me roughly $1200 a year for a MD guides license, boat license and insurance every year and that doesn't include boat and trailer registration fees. (and I'm sure I am missing some other expense...that my wife will always remind me of...LOL)  Then there's fuel and maintenance and start up and replacement tackle and ramp fees...get the picture?    It's funny when some people scoff at how much a trip costs,  believe me, we are not getting rich.

Anyone that is an avid fisherman and thinks that it would be a dream job has never done it.  It is hard work.  The charter Captains I know that are full time work their butts off.  For me,  once I'm fishing in the black (that what we call it when we have done enough trips to cover our licensing overhead)  it is a fun way to make a few dollars doing something you love to do.

Every once in a while, usually over cocktails,  my buddy will ask,  "well,  do you love me or hate me for getting you into this life"?  I always answer, "yes".

[Megastink]

That's a great response. Thank you! I hope I hear more.

[WRB]

Most "pro" bass tournament anglers set up a guiding service to augment their income....very few make enough money to be their primary income.

Who would you hire to take you fishing? It's difficult to get known and to build up a reputation so clients will seek your service.

Tom

[blongfishing]

I know nothing about guiding for bass. I grew up helping my uncle because he was a striper guide. I can't give much information on bass guides but I can help you a little on the general guiding aspect. He started guiding when he was about 19 and never turned back. He has earned quite the reputation and is probably the best guide on the lake (honest opinion not just because we are related. lol) As someone said above, guide often times book up the whole summer. My uncle would book up everyday and tell his clients to call one of his buddies who guides. So you would almost always be busy and have a steady income but the payout is not a huge amount. Yes you can make a living and make it pretty good but you aren't gonna become a millionaire. After building yourself a rep. then you will have steady business. Hopefully I gave a little bit of info. I am no expert.

[CaptMikeStarrett]

I am the guy Dave is talking about. When I started 24 plus years ago I had to develop a written plan or prospectus and present it to my Dad who would lend me the money for a first guide boat. I had to pass my USCG exam before he would even consider a loan. Started with three us sitting on my front porch three times a week studying and practicing the exam. Two of us passed and the third just faded away. A very nice boat was selected that we would share. Gambler GT 186 with a great white hope 175 on the back. 

Fast forward and four boats later and 6 engines and countless trolling motors I have managed to get a bit of money now and then in my pocket. Nothing like my written plan was..but I love taking people fishing..

My first client rods where push button Zebco matched with Rhino rods.

The most important part of guiding is to have fun and laugh a lot. Oh and catch some fish now and then.

 

Capt Mike

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Not saying these are your intentions as u stated your just asking.in my opinion 75% of guides do it for the money and have no real clue about how to handle fishing when the goin gets tough.its like the lawn care business i see ppl come out of the woodwork in the spring and summer to make a quick buck.They do sloppy work .its a hard knock life and if your not into making ppl happy 110% then you lost the game before it even starts. Making money is number 4 on the list .making your clients happy,good equipment,bein on time and putting up with a holes is hard for anyone .but thats how you make #4 money .take the bad with the good and always realize the glass is half full

[Jjbass4]

The hardest thing about being a guide is being a guide. I'm not being funny it's the truth if you look at the "profit" you make you would probably be better off working at Walmart . You have to #1 love not like to teach others to fish  # 2 extensive knowledge #3 even keeled #4 a people person. let me explain .  To be a guide you need to be willing to pass on your knowledge to people so you can educate them so they can get the most of there trips . If you are a one dimensional angler and can only find fish in certain situations the wheels will come off the bus fairly quickly. Every one has a rough day but an experienced guide will try everything including extending the trip to try to fulfill his end. You can't get flustered and wear your feelings on you sleeve. If you have a hard time taking criticism then you won't last. I had a client out and the day started out really slow. After an hour with no fish he started heckling me and talking down to me and started yelling at me how I didn't know anything about bass fishing. So I asked him where would he like to try and what lure he should throw . He just looked at me and said that's what I'm paying you for I said I know so just let me show you . I told him it's a long day and an hour is nothing. Besides I told him ( jokingly) I was making him earn his first fish  By giving him my second choice lure. So I changed his lure for him . First cast with it was a 4lb smallmouth he was all smiles and joking. He even apologized for his behavior earlier he told me he had a bad experience once with a guide and was afraid of getting burned again. If I would have lost my cool I would have not only lost a client but also more importantly my credibility. All in all I love being a guide but you most likely won't get rich doing it . But you can make a life for yourself . To me nothing is better then when someone who i have shared my knowledge with uses that to catch a fish in way they have never done before. Like anything in life you get out what you put in. 

[hawgenvy]

I have tremendous respect for good guides. If I had the skills to be a guide, I wouldn't have the patience or fortitude. To put up with days of no fish, of horrible weather, of horrible weather and no fish, of mechanical problems when a client is on board, of clients who are jerks, or who are complete novices, or who don't tip, who get sick, or get drunk, or get a hook in the nose, or eyeball, or fall overboard, or steal your spots, or steal your stuff, or backlash every cast, or toss constantly into treetops, and drop rods overboard, who bring whining kids who hate fishing, and who bounce checks, and who think they know more about fishing than you do.  And there are the engine overhauls, the lawsuits, boat out for repairs when clients are booked, mounting debt, no-shows. No thanks!

[gulfcaptain]

As someone who used to run charter boats which is a bit different then bass fishing as there were 24-30 passengers (although I have guided some of my buddies in the harbors for our saltwater bass species), and a lot more water to try and find that needle in the haystack the main concern I always had was safety of the people I took out.  Then you had to have a passion for the business because it wasn't always easy and you will have bad days, but then the next day is a whole new adventure.  It was touched on in that first post about all the legal issues and permits you first must have to cover yourself, boat, and guests you take fishing.  Must be a people person and be able to communicate and know how to make repairs or trouble shoot problems on the water to get you in if needed.  Like mentioned, if you make enough to break even each year you're doing great, and if you make a profit even better, but there's a lot of work that goes into this job and it isn't just going fishing.  It's not your trip, it's theirs and your goal is to make sure they have a great time and not for you to go out and just fish.  Many days I never even picked up a rod.  

[HoosierHawgs]

I'd love to have a career in the fishing industry, but I can surely say it wouldn't be guiding. Not my cup of tea!