this is to all you guides out there

[iceman16]

i just have a couple questions on how you got started and what you guys had to do to get your guiding service up and running. not looking for any hot bites and this and that just wanna know some things about how to get started and things i should know. i wanna start guiding in the next couple years. if anyone could email me or give me a email where i can contact you that would be great. BTW my email is at the bottom of the post. thanks everyone

iceman

[Random guy]

Guys ask me and I always tell them the same thing "It's a great life but a terrible living." If you like to do everything in the boat but fish guiding is for you.

I lucked out as my family has been doing this kind of thing for generations but four things you have to have.

1) Good insurance agent

2) Incredible accountant/tax man

2) Great self Marketing skills

3) Three back up plans for everything as you are dealing with mother nature.

That and lots of hours to be devoted, before every trip you need to pre-fish and make sure you are dialed in. I will be honest as I have worked as a heavy equipment mechanic, lender, outside salesman and heavy equipment operator and guiding eats up the most hours for least amount of money.

[itchmesir]

^^^^ I can only imagine the many times you have probably wanted to throw a client out of the boat

[Chris Haley]

When you are done adding everything up. You're lucky to make $15 an hour.(Gas,Bait,Ins.,Boat payment,Rod and reel combos, etc.) A good guide spends 1 1/2 hrs before a trip getting ready for you to just step in the boat and fish. A good guide spends at least an hour cleaning fish and loading up the boat after a trip. A good guide spends another hour getting rods redone and ready for the next trip. A good guide has more than their daddy's 16ft boat and wal mart rods for to use when fishing with them. A good guide is out on the next body of water looking for fish, so he can put you over fish from the start. A good guide knows the history of the area, sights to see when not fishing, restaurant's to recomend for most tastes, and a little knowledge of real estate prices in the area is a plus. And so on and so on.

If you're going to guide, make sure you get "GUIDE" ins. If you have an injury while guiding without guide ins. you will lose everything as the policy you might have had will cover NOTHING when they find out you were guiding. And if you think the injured client will lie for you? ya right!! If you own 5 - 10k worth of rods and tackle, check your policy if you don't have guide ins. I had a fire years ago and had a heck of a time getting my claim paid as the ins. company tried to say that that much equipment was way more than an average fisherman should own. And that with 5-10k worth of rods and tackle should have had a different policy to ins. it.

[Jarrid Houston]

Good Stuff JP & Haley. For me, it is a side job! I agree it is very tough to make a living doing it. Beyond all the regulations that reflect taxes, insurance, the know how, etc. It can be a rewarding experience. I pursued my license after being laid off in early 2009. I have always wanted to do it since I was a little kid bringing all my buddies fishing/hunting and having success. This enabled me to build up confidence on putting people on success! After being laid off I thought you know what; I am going to do it now, and kept a mentality that if I dont book a client, well, I am going to go fishing anyway, so what the heck? I remember my 1st official trip (beacuse it was not that long ago). I was somewhat nervous that the 2 clients would be dissapoited, but I knew I would help present them opportunities for fish. we were walleye fishing, but the highlight was the 1 clients 1st ever Muskie! He was as happy as a kid on xmas day. And thats when I was rewarded!!! To add to Haley's comments, and in my opinion, I think the marketing thing is probably one of the most important things to accomplish. They say it takes money to make money. So pay for the advertising, the booth at the boat show, get to know the other area guides bait store owners, and outdoorsment for networking, join the chapter of whatever fishing club there is around you (I am in the TPWA), and do a couple tournaments, donate a trip to a charity event! These things will help grow your reputation. I have always been a pretty popular outdoorsmen in my community, and once I aquired my compliant requirements to guide, I was rewarded with a lot of support. Support from the local outdoors writer in Duluth, KQDS FOX 21, and pretty much the whole community. Love my Twin-Ports. Check out this little clip, it should inspire.

tight Lines, Jarrid

http://www.fox21online.com/greatoutdoors/fishing-guides-help-catch

[Chris Haley]

Making a good trip a GREAT trip is so much more than fishing. You also need to be well spoken as a good guide is a teacher also. Also, I don't know how many times I've tossed a dead sucker minnow out in August when the eagles and osprey are teaching their young to hunt, and had clients get their cameras ready. Had women catch an eagle come down and pick one up 10 yds from the boat and she took maybe 20 shots with her camera from the time it got close to the surface through the grab and fly off.

[MuskieJunkie]

^^^^ I can only imagine the many times you have probably wanted to throw a client out of the boat

Or bash the headlight out in your truck with a steel shovel.

[theharvester]

you also need to guard your spots and be very careful on who you bring to your good spots.i decided i didnt want to guide because it isnt worth giving up your spots.you guide one day and the next day theres an army on your secret spot and gone forever! i like to fish in peace not with twenty boats buzzing you . ask johnny im sure he is followed contantly . hes got some horror stories for you

[Northlander]

If your looking to make money get a job at a bait shop. You will make about as much per hour if not more. If your in it for the love of the sport than go ahead. 1st thing I would get is a good reliable boat and motor and then some real good guide insurance.

[Random guy]

^^^^ I can only imagine the many times you have probably wanted to throw a client out of the boat

Ya know the summer is not bad, every now and then you get the know it all that has to argue with everything you say to impress his buddies. Normally when I ask him why I have his cash in my pocket if he knows so much he will become as quite as a church mouse. I do have clients that are challenging due to lack of knowledge buts that what I am there for. I always get a kick out the guys that started out holding the spinning reel upside-down and hooked everything in the boat trying to cast that ends the day dropping crankbaits in reed pockets or balancing the Lindy rig rod with the line ever so gentle on his finger tip waiting for the lightest tap.

Now the winter time is when you want to pull your hair out (I am now bald) take six guys, put them in a rental sleeper shack for two-three days with a truck load of booze and you are going to see stuff you couldn't imagine. I like my portable trips with the sleds, those are always fun.

As for getting followed...oh ya I am an aluminum magnet! People see the guide boat go by and they normally get right in my wake and follow. In fact a local part time “guide” makes no qualms about it; he will actually circle me or Tyler while pounding keys on his GPS. For the next week he will be camped out on that spot or have all of his buddies fishing it then once he burns it he gives the spot away on line. Yes it can be frustrating to have spots ready for clients only come back and have a part time clown or another angler camped out on them but that’s guiding; you save the great spots for foggy/snowy days and after dark.

Another thing about guiding is ALL of your gear should have a no questions asked warranty. I have seen stuff get broke that just boggles me. I had six rods snapped at once from a guy the exited the boat via the rod deck. I have had three windshields busted out from wild backhands on the cast. I own my own carpet shampoo machine from all the spills and messes. I have had one guy suddenly vomit so not only did I have that mess his cigarette went flying and melted the carpet. Yes your boat is going to get its butt kicked and get use to scratches and dings as they are going to happen. Don’t even get me started on the MASSIVE amount of tackle you are going to go through. Last year I know I went through well over 100 spinner rigs and who knows how many bottom bouncers. In fact I know the customer service people at two rod companies by first name.

[Sportland_Bait]

It is mostly about marketing. Get a boat and some gear. Keep it clean. And always show up with a smile on your face. It really isn't so much about catching a ton of fish. That is just the icing on the cake. Keep up on current events so you can talk to everyone about everything. Might as well kiss goodby the late night partying. I've had to can a few guides that showed up hung over and smelling like the brewery. One of the best ways to get started is just introduce yourself to the guides in your area that are busy on a regular basis. Once in a while they need someone to fill in. Just be ready when they call to take whatever they throw your way. Also hang around the bait shops and don't get tied into just one. They all have some work to throw your way if you get to know them. But I agree, it is more of a side job than a full time. Or just a hobby. The season is just too short around here. It also depends on your standard of living. If you don't need much money it might be perfect.

Jason

[Brian-Mn]

1) Have your own spots.

2) Don't bad mouth or question other guides.

3) Don't undercut the going guide rates of your area.

4) Don't marry a women who doesn't have a great job. You will need her income at some point when you first get started.

5) Don't believe everything you read and hear.

[iceman16]

thanks guys for all the tips. i am not out there to make a ton of money. i was thinking part time. i have a great job and would be stupid to quit. just go out and fish and have a good time making alittle extra money. i have the boat and tackle and gear just need to go out and look at insurance. thanks again

iceman

[Random guy]

i am not out there to make a ton of money.

That will help!