Guided Trip

[southtexasbassin]

I am fishing Toho in about a week.  I booked a guided trip and would like to know if I should take my own lures and tackle.  Guide insists that I will catch more on shiners, but I really want to fish plastics.  The guide said plastics are available also.  I was also told that I don't have to take anything.  What do you guys think?  I don't want show up without anything and the guide tell me well you need hooks, lures, weights, line, reel and rod. 

[backwater4]

I fished with guides in Florida twice. Once in the salt, once in the Everglades for bass. On the saltwater trip we wanted artificials and fished bait. Was told the same thing you were, they're not hitting lures. I just recently got back from the Everglades and that trip was totally different. The guide had everything mapped out before hand. No bait, meant no bait. He had all the tackle that was needed and was even in the tackle shop we met at buying some extra baits he was catching on. It's ok to take your own stuff, but probably not necessary. Just make sure he knows what you expect from the trip. Good luck and have fun.

[George Welcome]

You need to talk with the guide and determine exactly what is supplied on this trip to include names of brands supplied. I recommend that you bring your reels and have the guide supply rods, if in fact he does supply that type of equipment.

It sounds to me like you should bring a small bag with some bait and tackle. I would not recommend shiners in the middle of summer.

Good luck on your trip. Catch a big one.

[Fishing Rhino]

I've fished with guides twice.  The first time in March in Georgia, and the second time in May on the Pickwick Road Trip.

Though the fishing was not up to par in Georgia, it was not due to any fault of the guide.  They just were not biting.  Those things happen.

At Pickwick, though it was not a killer experience, catchwise, I still felt I got my money's worth.

When it comes to gear, some guides provide everything, but will allow you to bring your gear, or at least some of it.

Guides are like everyone else.  They have their own personalities and quirks.  Some will be very free in sharing info which you may use in the future.  Others, not so much.

Guides depend on two things to survive.  Production and word of mouth.  Most long time, established guides are able to make a living because they will cater to their clients, but also put them on fish.

In the end, it's a matter of contacting a number of guides, if available, communicating with them, and selecting the one that most likely will accomodate your wishes if practical and possible.

It is my opinion that when visiting unfamiliar waters, if one is going to enlist the services of a guide, do so early on.  While it is unlikely they will tell you all their honey holes, they can tell you what the fish are doing, where they generally can be found, and what they are biting.

Like everything else in life, don't entertain unrealistic expectations, do your homework, and you won't be disappointed.

[whoopbazz]

Find out exactly what is supplied. Ask if you need/may bring your own tackle otherwise.

As far as the live bait/artifical thing this is what I would do. Tell the guide you respect his opinion that live bait is the better way to go. But, you would like to try artificials for a 2 or 3 hours. Ulitmately he works for you, he should do what you would prefer. But, on the same note you don't want to spend $400 and not catch anything when all you need to do is throw some live shiners around.

[oteymc]

I had a similar experience this winter in FL, the guide thought that Shiners might work well, but he did tell me up front that if they didn't we would go to artificial. That is exactly what we did, tried the shiners first thing then went to throwing plastics and crankbaits.

He also said that I didn't need to bring anything, and he meant it. He had everything we needed, we also met at a bait shop where he was picking up some extra supplies. After we had been in the water a while I mentioned that I had just received my first baitcaster for a christmas present, and that it was in the truck at the ramp. He insisted that we go back and get it so he could help me set it up.

In my case, he had told me not to bring anything for my convenience, but he did not care if I wanted to bring my stuff.

It was great, and was the best money I have ever spent.

[Dinky]

I have used many guides and you are getting some good advice form all those above posts.

Obviously if you are flying you want to avoid taking rods since most airlines now charge extra for long rod cases (it seems to vary by airline and by type of plane as well).

Taking your own reels is a great idea since they can be easily packed.

As far as lures go; get on line and get as much information about the types of lures that are productive at Tohoe for the time of year you are going and pack a few accordingly. You should have the opportunity to purchase something once you are there if a particular bait is really hot and you didn't bring it.