Pro fisherman on this forum

[scaleface]

I imagine  pros visit here often .  

 

  "It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing all your life."  Mickey Mantle .

[TnRiver46]

On 12/9/2020 at 8:06 AM, the reel ess said:

There are guides on here as well. Those are pros.

Sometimes 

[soflabasser]

Anyone can be a guide but not everyone can be a good teacher and consistently put people on fish. 

[J Francho]

18 hours ago, soflabasser said:

Anyone can be a guide

Not in this state, lol.  

[soflabasser]

Just now, J Francho said:

Not in this state, lol.  

You mean New York? That state has very good fishing for several species of fish, especially salmon and trout.

[TnRiver46]

15 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

You mean New York? That state has very good fishing for several species of fish, especially salmon and trout.

I believe he was referring to the processes that one must go through to become certified. The govt doesn’t allow “anyone” to be a guide

[soflabasser]

It is extremely easy for someone to become a guide in Florida. Other states have different regulations so it is best to contact the appropriate parties to learn more on how to become a guide in those states. With that said New York has some of the best salmon and trout fishing on the East Coast.

[Captain Phil]

There are currently about 5,000 fishing guides in Florida.  Fresh water and Salt water guides have different requirements.  A bass fishing guide needs a minimum Coast Guide Certified Captain's license.   My license was issued about 20 years ago.   My license is limited to 6 passengers total.  I no longer actively guide.  

 

The life of a bass fishing guide is tough.  As most young anglers, I thought it would be a great way to be paid to fish.   It turned my love for fishing into a job.  Because I could catch fish, I assumed others could too.  My best clients were tournament fisherman looking for local knowledge.  I fished with numerous bass anglers with their names in print.  They aren't any different than anyone else, but they are highly skilled, dedicated and focused.  It's a very tough way to make a living.  

[J Francho]

I taught kayak fishing classes for a bit at the local paddle center.  Part of it was "classroom" instruction on the patio overlooking the bay, and part on the water.  In a sense, I was a "guiding" which meant showing where to cast, what was going on under the water, pointing out the bald eagle nests, watching out for goose nests, getting lures out of trees, etc.  It was always a special moment when a new angler caught a nice fish in these short two hour on the water classes.  Having pressure to to get people on fish every trip out would suck the fun out of fishing.  Just my random, off topic thoughts on the subject.  Yes, NY State has a rigorous program for certification for just guiding from shore.  Get into boats, and it's another ball of wax.  I don't know of any actual full time guides, though I'm sure there is some.  Fishing is so seasonal here, I can't see it ever being a real, full time income.  All that said, I'd take whomever wanted to go out and fish with me for free, if they hit me up nicely.

[Choporoz]

27 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

They aren't any different than anyone else, but they are highly skilled, dedicated and focused.  

Well....they are different than me

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

I taught kayak fishing classes for a bit at the local paddle center.  Part of it was "classroom" instruction on the patio overlooking the bay, and part on the water.  In a sense, I was a "guiding" which meant showing where to cast, what was going on under the water, pointing out the bald eagle nests, watching out for goose nests, getting lures out of trees, etc.  It was always a special moment when a new angler caught a nice fish in these short two hour on the water classes.  Having pressure to to get people on fish every trip out would suck the fun out of fishing.  Just my random, off topic thoughts on the subject.  Yes, NY State has a rigorous program for certification for just guiding from shore.  Get into boats, and it's another ball of wax.  I don't know of any actual full time guides, though I'm sure there is some.  Fishing is so seasonal here, I can't see it ever being a real, full time income.  All that said, I'd take whomever wanted to go out and fish with me for free, if they hit me up nicely.

That sums it up! I’ve guided for 12 years and I would rather take friends out for free and make money other ways. But I gotta stike when the iron is hot so I still guide some to make ends meet. I thought it was my dream job in ‘07 when I got hired out of college,  now I’d rather trap skunks and rats hahaha

[N Florida Mike]

On 12/8/2020 at 9:36 AM, TnRiver46 said:

I’m Bill Dance! If you don’t believe me just watch when I hit my shin on the trailer hitch 

The hat looks somewhat familiar but not so sure about the build. Must have spent some time at the gym there lately, Mr Dance.

On 12/8/2020 at 1:30 PM, lo n slo said:

i loved that show where you threw Jerry Reed’s giant bass back in the lake when he wasn’t looking. but those catfish chunks you used to hawk were worthless. i tried to feed them to my cousin’s dog, but all he wanted to do was wall’er in them. 

That was my all time favorite Bill Dance show. I’ll never forget Jerry saying “ My bass is gone” ?

[TnRiver46]

8 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

The hat looks somewhat familiar but not so sure about the build. Must have spent some time at the gym there lately, Mr Dance.

That was my all time favorite Bill Dance show. I’ll never forget Jerry saying “ My bass is gone” ?

I learned how to travel back in time! I, Bill dance, was slim and trim back in the 70s 

[N Florida Mike]

Ive done some guiding but not for money. I thought about doing it for a living but chose not to because I know my limitations , I dont think I could keep from fishing if they were biting good. And I know Im not good enough to find fish day in and day out. Still toying with starting a you tube channel anyway

[TOXIC]

Wanna know how to make a quick million guiding........start out with 2 million.  

[J Francho]

Way better ratio than trying to be a rock star

[Biglittle8]

On 12/7/2020 at 11:17 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

Don't take away from yourself for being a beginner either. I've been fishing my entire life, but a big part of fishing is observing and I've learned a lot from people with much less experience than I have. Everyone approaches a situation differently or has a different tactic they feel comfortable in certain situations and by watching others I've learned a ton from people who probably have no idea that I picked something up from them.

What Blue said...Apply this to other things in life too! 

[Miabucman]

I have a couple of friends that are "guides" on saltwater and it seems to be a pain.  There are a lot of requirements (insurance, certifications, maintenance, etc) that make it really rough. They really enjoy being on the water and deal with the pains.  I do know that they are not getting rich.  I can say it was pretty sweet when my bud would call late at night and say "Hoss, my charter canceled for tomorrow.  Are you in?".  Cannot beat being the only guy in the boat with a professional putting you on fish!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On 12/30/2020 at 3:24 PM, J Francho said:

Way better ratio than trying to be a rock star

You should produce a show as the rockin’ angler. Couldn’t suck any worse than Charlie Moore. Lol