Tough days are still fun.....

[skekoam]

The first pic is from a recent guided trip we went on.  I've never experienced a trip where the bite was so tough.  All in all I'd say we caught about 25 fish, but a majority were very small no matter what we threw.  Pictured are the best 4.  Last time we visited this lake, all the fish caught were pretty big (4-6lb) range.

 

 

[The Bassman]

I'd take a tough day like that any time.

[DitchPanda]

Gonna say if 25 bass is a tough day then I really suck

 

[gim]

1 hour ago, DitchPanda said:

Gonna say if 25 bass is a tough day then I really suck

 

He was using a guide though, so the standard might be slightly different than yours or mine.

[Susky River Rat]

My question is what did you learn from the guide? That is some value that you can’t always put into a cost.

[Bluebasser86]

1 hour ago, Darnold335 said:

My question is what did you learn from the guide? That is some value that you can’t always put into a cost.

This is the important part about taking a guided trip. Catching is great, but you already know how to catch fish, you want to learn how to catch more and better while with the guide. Sometimes, catching doesn't necessarily happen in the process of learning. 

 

I like to go to tough lakes, because I learn more on those lakes where the catching is tougher. I must pay more attention to the details and concentrate more to catch the fish I catch. Anyone can catch them when they're jumping in the boat, it really takes skill to catch them when it's a grind. 

[Bird]

Looks like a fun time.

I'd be quite pleased with 25 fish.

[skekoam]

9 hours ago, Darnold335 said:

My question is what did you learn from the guide? That is some value that you can’t always put into a cost.

That is an interesting question.   I've used this same guide 3-4 times before and each time it was wide open.   It was only tough on our most recent trip.  Last year we went out to a lake and caught 89 fish in 8 hours.  The guide only fished with us for about an hour because I asked him to.   On that trip and ones prior, I wouldn't say I was really learning anything from the guide.   He is super laid back guy whose main priority is to put us onto some fish and also position the boat in such a way that makes it easy for my son and I to fish comfortably.   Essentially this guide is like fishing with a buddy who owns a boat.   I've spoken to a few guides and they would not let us use baitcasters, which I prefer.  Anyhow,  when we use different types of baits I normally ask the guide which technique works and go from there.   I still have a hard time working a jerk bait correctly tho.  After jerking for more than 30 minutes, my back and arm muscles get super sore.     

 

I may opt for a different guide down the line who we can really reach us.   Seems like anyone can catch when its wide open but when its tough out, experience obviously comes in handy to maximize time on the water.  

[Susky River Rat]

13 minutes ago, skekoam said:

That is an interesting question.   I've used this same guide 3-4 times before and each time it was wide open.   It was only tough on our most recent trip.  Last year we went out to a lake and caught 89 fish in 8 hours.  The guide only fished with us for about an hour because I asked him to.   On that trip and ones prior, I wouldn't say I was really learning anything from the guide.   He is super laid back guy whose main priority is to put us onto some fish and also position the boat in such a way that makes it easy for my son and I to fish comfortably.   Essentially this guide is like fishing with a buddy who owns a boat.   I've spoken to a few guides and they would not let us use baitcasters, which I prefer.  Anyhow,  when we use different types of baits I normally ask the guide which technique works and go from there.   I still have a hard time working a jerk bait correctly tho.  After jerking for more than 30 minutes, my back and arm muscles get super sore.     

 

I may opt for a different guide down the line who we can really reach us.   Seems like anyone can catch when its wide open but when its tough out, experience obviously comes in handy to maximize time on the water.  

If he can teach you how to correctly use the technique that is working you are learning. Learning how to position a boat is a big factor in fishing. Some guides don’t fish with their clients because they feel like them fishing is taking away from their clients experience. Pick their brain though! Ask why this technique or why this particular area?  I am glad you had a good time and made memories with your son!

[Swamp Girl]

A trip where every fish is in the four to six-pound range is jaw-dropping. 

 

Why wouldn't a guide let you use a bait casting outfit? 

[skekoam]

On 12/16/2022 at 7:58 PM, ol'crickety said:

A trip where every fish is in the four to six-pound range is jaw-dropping. 

 

Why wouldn't a guide let you use a bait casting outfit? 

I think because a lot of people to use a guide aren't comfortable with a baitcaster.  The guide would rather not spend half the time un doing back lashes.  Also the other guide we know fishes drop shot 90% of the time.  I'll drop shot too, but only if the fish aren't biting anything else.  As mentioned, I love using a baitcaster and I taught my son early on how to use one and he is probably better than me now.   We can go a whole day without a birds nest

[TOXIC]

Whew, there’s a lot to unpack with your responses.  As a guide I will tell you that communication is key.  While 90% of my clients just wanted to catch fish the remaining 10% wanted everything from trophy fish, tournament pre fish, lake learning, technique learning, gear instruction, boat instruction, tablefare or just lake tours.  All of the requirements you want, you have to tell me as well as if you are bringing your own gear or using mine.  With me, the only live bait fishing I did was minnows for crappie, I was more than happy to teach you how to throw a baitcaster as long as you know that takes away from fishing time.  Likewise if you want to learn a technique that is not productive at the time, your catch rate is going to be down.  Trophy hunting? That’s an all or nothing proposition and we discuss that upfront.  There’s all sorts of things we can do on the water that may or may not result in fish catching.  Communication is key. 

[Deleted account]

On 12/16/2022 at 10:58 PM, ol'crickety said:

Why wouldn't a guide let you use a bait casting outfit? 

Maybe he's got enough body piercings already...

[Swamp Girl]

14 hours ago, skekoam said:

I think because a lot of people to use a guide aren't comfortable with a baitcaster.  The guide would rather not spend half the time un doing back lashes.  Also the other guide we know fishes drop shot 90% of the time.  I'll drop shot too, but only if the fish aren't biting anything else.  As mentioned, I love using a baitcaster and I taught my son early on how to use one and he is probably better than me now.   We can go a whole day without a birds nest

 

Your skill and your son's skill surpasses mine. I still bird's nest from time-to-time. I just don't expect anyone to untangle my mess.