How do you pick the right fishing guide?\u00a0 I talk with all my clients about how they found me, how I compare to other fishing guides they have been with and what they like and don\u2019t like about guides.\u00a0 Here are some things that can help you find the right and credible fishing guide.<\/p>\n
Finding the right, credible and qualified guide can be a little hard with all the info out there these days.\u00a0 If you want a great guide, not just a good guide; take your time and do some homework.\u00a0 It will payoff when you hit the water with your guide.\u00a0 I\u2019m not just talking; drag screaming, rod bent all day long fishing guide.\u00a0 I\u2019m talking a safe, patient and knowable fishing guide; that will show you a great day on the water.\u00a0 It\u2019s not always about catching fish all day long; it\u2019s much more than that.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Here are some guide lines and questions to ask guides about what they offer:<\/strong><\/p>\n Is the guide credible and qualified for the fishing you want to do?<\/strong>\u00a0 When I\u2019ve talk to clients about what they like to see in a fishing guide, here are a few things that came up.\u00a0 (Full time guide), people like to see this when looking for a guide.\u00a0 Full time guides that are typically on the water daily know the fishing trends for that area well and can better plan a good day of fishing for the date you choose based on previous days\/weeks experience.\u00a0 If there is a specie or specie\u2019s you would like to fish for let the guide know that.\u00a0 If a client does not tell me what they want to fish for; I put them on the best bite we\u2019ve had lately.\u00a0 Have a open mind, if the guides tells you that the fish you want to chase is not biting good; let them know if you still want to try for that species or try what he\/she recommends.<\/p>\n Does the guide have the gear you desire to fish with?<\/strong> \u00a0I mostly bring spinning tackle for my charters, but I have baitcasters and fly gear as well.\u00a0 I always ask my clients if they would like to use baitcasters and\/or fly gear before our trip.\u00a0 If you would like to bring your own tackle, let the guide know that.\u00a0 Most guides don\u2019t mind, but let them know you are bringing your fishing gear and ask what they recommend you bring.\u00a0 If you want to use fly gear ask what weight fly rods, lines, tippets and patterns that are working for what you will be fishing for.<\/p>\n What does the guide provide for your trip?<\/strong>\u00a0 Do you need a fishing license or does the guide provide a license.\u00a0 Here inNorth Carolinawe have blanket fishing license for the boat, which I have.\u00a0 Any clients that fish on my boat are covered under my license.\u00a0 Some guides chose not to get this license and there clients have got to get a fishing license.\u00a0 Other things to ask if the guide provides; ice, drinks, food and sunscreen; if you don\u2019t know; ask it won\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n What should you bring on the trip?<\/strong>\u00a0 A few things I tell all my clients to bring is sunscreen, hat, camera, there food and drinks for the day.\u00a0 Ask if there is a chance of rain, you may need to bring a rain jacket.\u00a0 Don\u2019t\u2019 forget during cooler mouths; it\u2019s always cooler on the water.\u00a0 Dress in layers during the colder mouths, the wind can make it much cooler on the water.<\/p>\n Price; this can be a hard one to break down, what is the right price?<\/strong>\u00a0 With a lot of people price usually the first consideration when hiring a guide, but be careful!\u00a0 You get what you PAY FOR!!! Be weary of guides that charge considerably less than other local guides. \u00a0Running a credible guide service is costly for the guide. Fuel, insurance, tackle, ice etc etc\u2026.I could go on and on about expenses!\u00a0 What I\u2019m trying to say is, most guides will work harder and go further to find fish for you; that charge the average or a little more.<\/p>\n How many people can or should I bring on the fishing trip?<\/strong>\u00a0 Every guide is different on the amount of people that can come on a trip.\u00a0 It really depends on boat size, what kind of fishing you will be doing and what you want to get out of the trip.\u00a0 Some people just want to go fishing and others want to go to learn more about fishing than actually catch fish.\u00a0 Let your guide know if you are bringing kids fishing with you.\u00a0 Here again talk with your guide; tell them what you want to do and ask how many people can come for a quality fishing trip.<\/p>\n Can I keep the fish I catch?<\/strong>\u00a0 Most guides will allow you to keep your limit of the fish you catch.\u00a0 There are a few things you need to remember, only keep the fish that you will use (eat).\u00a0 If you don\u2019t know if you will eat them all, let them (fish) go for another day of fishing.\u00a0 There is nothing worst as a guide; we get back to the dock with a box full of fish and the customer does not want the fish.\u00a0 Most guides will clean your catch or give you info where you can get them cleaned locally.<\/p>\n Does the guide guarantee that you will catch fish?\u00a0<\/strong> All guides have bad fishing days from time to time, its fishing not catching don\u2019t forget this!\u00a0 Some guides may guarantee fish, but the clients I\u2019ve talked to with this experience say the better guides that they have fished with don\u2019t guarantee fish.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to tip the mate\/guide.<\/strong>\u00a0 They have worked hard to show you a good day on the water.\u00a0 Ten to twenty percent is average but you make that decision; remember it\u2019s not always catching but it is always fishing!\u00a0 I\u2019ve said it and herd it a million times; \u201cA bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work\u201d!<\/p>\n I really hope this will help you find a credible fishing guide for your next outing.<\/p>\n Thanks for reading,<\/p>\n Capt. Jot Owens<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How do you pick the right fishing guide?\u00a0 I talk with all my clients about how they found me, how I compare to other fishing guides they have been with and what they like and don\u2019t like about guides.\u00a0 Here are some things that can help you find the right and credible fishing guide. Finding […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[22],"class_list":["post-418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","tag-how-to-pick-the-right-fishing-guide"],"yoast_head":"\n