would you or have you used a guide??

[K_Mac]

RoLo

I love your story about the Lake Huron trip, and I agree with the others that your careful, thoughtful approach is a good example for all of us.

For most of us a trip to a far off lake is a rare thing, and you have to way the cost of a guide against the value of your time. I enjoy the challenge of finding fish, but it can be very frustrating trying to figure out a new lake when the clock is running out on your one trip of the year (or several years). I understand fishing on a tight budget all too well, and if a guide is not possible then good planning and attention to detail are an even more important part of the trip, but if the budget will allow, I will always hire a carefuly selected guide to start a trip.

I Have really enjoyed reading this thread. Thanks guys.

[bixbybasspro]

I would get a guide for one day just to narrow the pattern in which you'll want to focus on.. Then you can go find similar water....

[squid]

Well it looks like most everyone here will....or should try a guide huh?

[GobbleDog]

Hire a guide for bass fishing? ummmm, no.   I have no doubt that I'd probably learn a lot from a guide, but I just can't see myself paying somebody good money so I can catch a few largemouth. I've caught more than enough on my own.

Now tarpon is a different story. I'd be more than willing willing to pay someone to help me catch a tarpon. On my own, I've seen a few tarpon swim by and come up for air (called rolling), but they never hit anything I threw at them.  It would be money well spent if a guide could put me on some of those monsters. Someday I plan on doing just that.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Matt wrote--Here's to 2006 and a SHE-PIG for all. "ONE to REMEMBER"

Please stay on-topic :-? : :)

Squid- I know I am anyway. We did, however, at least wait till day 2 to bring him over though. We will have from 1ish on saturday till 3ish on sunday to give it a go for ourselves, then we have richie sunday and into the night then monday to wed to apply what we learned.

Gobble- We have done the tarpon thing 3 times.  I HIGHLY recommend it.  Leave the spinning gear at home and get a good 9-11 weight rod!!  A guide in this situation is worth his weight in gold.  I have some great pics (not on pc but framed in house) of granpa w/ a 125+ on and his pants button broke so his pants are at his ankles and his feet are wide apart trying to keep them from falling.  Tarpon is jumping right in front of camera and big daddy is just holdin' on tight, lookin sharp in his milk white skivvies!!  God rest his soul,...now THAT was a salty man if ever I knew one.

[ball_coach_1]

I have had good trips without a guide.  I have had bad trips without a guide.  I have never had a bad trip that started the week with a guide, and my best trips ever started the week WITH a guide.

If you can afford it, and you are spending time and effort to travel to go fishing on a body of water with great opportunities, GET A GUIDE.

[RoLo]

RoLo

I love your story about the Lake Huron trip, and I agree with the others that your careful, thoughtful approach is a good example for all of us.

Thanx K-Mac

Actually, that incident was "by-no-means" an isolated case, but I hate to belabor a point.

If you're not madly in love with the busywork that surrounds our grand sport, by all means hire a guide.

I used to spend All Year between each vacation gathering data to determine the optimal

food shelf depth, retreat depth, best weed species, time of year, presentation, chart analysis, et al.

For me to hire a guide would be like shooting myself in the foot.

I could just see myself out there with a guide, I'd be picking that poor man's brains all day long.

He'd probably have to remind to do some fishing, and he'd never want me on his boat again ;D

[Hookhead]

Excellent story Rolo.  You've inspired me to get better acquainted with my home lake.  

[RoLo]

Hookhead,

Excellent story Rolo. You've inspired me to get better acquainted with my home lake.

That makes me very happy

Begin by obtaining the very best contour map available, one with the smallest increments

between depth lines and preferably one that illustrates cover (weedbeds, stumpfields, rockpiles)

and let the price be invisible.

[flechero]

If you have the money for a guide, I would recomend it.  Having lived and fished in Texas for the past 25 years, there is one constant... our fish are wildly sensitive to spring weather and it's daily (sometimes hourly) changes... Rayburn has 50,000 acres that "look great" on paper and are not.  You could easily spend a week fishing good looking water before you ever find a decent pattern.  On the other hand, you may hit the jackpot on your own.  I think your odds are 10x better with a guide though.

Either way, have a great trip!

 

[Rattlinrogue]

If I went to a giant impoundment that I'd never even seen before,I would hire a guide for sure.If your goal is to have a good,stressless time and catch a lot of fish.I think you'd have to.If you are a pro that has a lot of experience fishing these places sight unseen and scouting them out yourself,then go it alone.Even the pros call the top guides for advice on where to fish.I know the rule against doing that and all.That's just like the rule against steroids in pro sports.Not all pros abide by that rule.

[Guest avid]

When I travel to different locations I really like having a guide for a day.  The whole idea is to have a nice time.  a good guide will tell you all kinds of things.  Want the best steak? ask the guide.  What bars have live music? ask the guide. You get the picture.  As far as the fishing goes.  The guide will try his best to put you into fish right away.  It gets you started for the 3 or 4 days a trip usually lasts.