What do you guys think about this idea? 2024
guest reply :
I'm very seriously considering starting up a guide service on Choke Canyon, Coleto Creek, and Lake Mathis. I have no bills, and my parents are going ot back me financially, so I will be able to offer some very competitive rates to get my name out there. My boat and truck is paid for, so the only thing I will be paying is gas, insurance, and tackle, which is basically how it is now. Since It cost me about $40 a day in gas, I'm thinking that I could charge $150 a day, provide lunch, and still make a nice profit. Would there be any interest in this, or is this just something that is too risky?
bassnleo reply :
Man, sounds like no risk to you at all, you have everything already paid for. Are you considering this as a new career or just a side job? Guess for me that would be the determining factor.
Don't know about your state but make sure you check into what licenses and certifcations you will have to have. Also, insurance is a must and from speaking to some friends whom are guides, it can be fairly costly.
Good luck if you give it a go!
guest reply :
i currently have 100k liability, and I can bump it up to 500k for $250 more a year. I beleive the guiding license in texas is about $125 a year.
cart7t reply :
You need to thoroughly check out the rules and regs of TX for guides. I know in Missouri you must have passed a Coast Guard boat operators course, be certified by the Red Cross in CPR and life saving techniques as well as have a specific minimum amount of liability insurance. BTW, make sure you notify your insurance company of your plans to guide, there are often clauses in most boat owners insurance policies that don't cover you if you're using your boat for commercial purposes. You'll also need to have enough equipment (ie spinning or spincasting equipment) for inexperienced clients and quality equipment for more expereinced anglers. This includes lures. You'll need extra lifejackets of various sizes. Is your boat ready and is it big enough for a couple extra anglers? How old is the boat? Your reputation will tank quickly if your boat is too small, not in top shape, uncomfortable or has equipment malfunctions.
Just a few things to think and plan for.
Brian_Reeves reply :
Get legit and I'll hit you up for a trip on Canyon. I'm about to get transfered to Ft. Sam Houston if everything works out for me. $150 is a dern good price for a place like that.
guest reply :
QuoteGet legit and I'll hit you up for a trip on Canyon. I'm about to get transfered to Ft. Sam Houston if everything works out for me. $150 is a dern good price for a place like that.
or just come down for a few days and i'll take you out for half the cost of gas. 
my dad and i were discussing it, and he thinks there is much more money to be made into leasing out our ranch per week. He wants me to enter a few major tournaments next year and see how I do there, before going into guiding.
Will reply :
I don't think you are charging enough. There is $150-$40 so then $110 -$10 for food which leaves you with $100. Then you have to consider if clients will be using your equipment or there own, you can then take out more money for the cost of fishing gear. I believe your idea can get some money, but there will be alot of little things that can add up fast, so be sure of a price.
clipper reply :
I don't know much about guiding but I did learn from 16 years in business that a good reputation earned by honesty, doing a good job, and treating people right will get you a lot more business than a cheap price. It is important to know what your operating costs are before you set your price. Don't forget wear and tear on your boat which will have to be replaced far sooner if you use it every day to guide. Your clients are also going to break rod tips and lose a lot of lures. It sounds like a great way to earn a living if you like people.
tallydude reply :
QuoteI don't think you are charging enough. There is $150-$40 so then $110 -$10 for food which leaves you with $100. Then you have to consider if clients will be using your equipment or there own, you can then take out more money for the cost of fishing gear. I believe your idea can get some money, but there will be alot of little things that can add up fast, so be sure of a price.
I agree with Will. After gas, lunch and other expendibles, this gives you 2k per month and 24k per year. Probably not the income you're looking for.
George Welcome reply :
To be successful: How's your fishing skills? Don't take this wrong, but if your fishing skills are like your business sense you don't have much of a chance of success. Guiding is a lot more than just having a boat and a truck to get it to a lake. It also costs far more than $40.00 per day to go out there.
BassChaser57 reply :
You have nothing to lose if your finances are in order so FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS and $150/day will get you clients so if you provide a fun, quality trip with fish in the boat it will not be long until you can charge about whatever you wish. People will gladly pay for a quality experience!
8-)
cart7t reply :
I just saw you've got a 1978 85hp outboard motor. While that may work perfectly for you right now if I was a paying customer I might raise an eyebrow if I showed up at the dock and my guide for the day was going to be taking me around in old equipment. I'm not knocking you boat mind you but most guides at least mention the kind and age of the boat and motor you'll be fishing out of in order to provide a peace of mind for customers. I know if I was forking out $150-200 a day for a guide I sure wouldn't want to be wondering if the day was going to be ruined due to equipment problems because of the age of the boat and motor.
guest reply :
QuoteI just saw you posted in the Bassboat forum that you've got a 1978 85hp outboard motor. While that may work perfectly for you right now if I was a paying customer I might raise an eyebrow if I showed up at the dock and my guide for the day was going to be taking me around in old equipment. I'm not knocking you boat mind you but most guides at least mention the kind and age of the boat and motor you'll be fishing out of in order to provide a peace of mind for customers. I know if I was forking out $150-200 a day for a guide I sure wouldn't want to be wondering if the day was going to be ruined due to equipment problems because of the age of the boat and motor.
Actually, as part of the deal, I would be upgrading to a 19 or 20 foot boat, with at least a 200 hp motor. Like I said, I would have the full financial backing of my parents, as my dad has often dreamt of having a career in the outdoors, and will help me out wherever needed for me to be able to do so.
George Welcome reply :
Help from your parents is not going to be whenever you need it, but rather always, because based on your proposal you will always need help.
I think if I was in my early 20's I would want to be off supporting myself, not living on Mom and Dad.
Based on your proposal, if I was a person looking for a guide, I would have to assume that you have no clue of what you are doing because the rest of the guides in the Canyon are charging 300-350 per day. At 150 per day, you either don't know what you are doing, or you are whoring the business. Either situation would be enough for me to find someone else.
You just might want to rethink this whole deal.
cravenfish reply :
By fishing a few big tournys. wont tell you much. you have to be abel to catch a bunch of fish as a guide. Most of the guides only fish during the week when there is less pressure on the water. I know a guide that has a real good reputation and stays booked. His tournament record is not good at all. Don't think just because you may bomb in a tournament that you will not be a succesful guide. GOOD LUCK
Matt Fly reply :
Josh,
Follow your dreams. One of our own used to live in Chicago at one time. He made that trip a few times from Ill. to Tx and fell in love with Lake Fork. He is a licensed full time guide on Fork. I'd PM Tom Reddington and ask for advice. He made the move when he was in college. He has certainly built his reputation on his skills, and is considered to be amoung the best around the lake.
Good Luck
Matt
I
dink reply :
Go for it! The very first guides had no one to bounce their ideas off of. They just took a chance and did it. Take the advice here but screw anyone who tells you that you can't do it for whatever reason. So what if you fall flat on your face..... that is living, man! Dare to Dream!!!!
roadwarrior reply :
Well, maybe you didn't like George's response, but he is the ONLY professional guide that has responded. If I were you, I would heed his advice and try to get a MUCH BETTER handle on what is required to be a successful guide. That includes fishing expertise and perhaps more importantlly, the financial prerequisites needed.
I certainly don't think you should just "Go For It", that's a receipe for failure. Do your homework and find out what you are really getting into, what it takes to be successful and how much momey you can realistically expect to make the first year, the second, third and so on.
Another possibility is working with some of the experienced guides for awhile. If you can find someone to take you under their wing so to speak, maybe you can work for them and learn the ropes. Have you ever fished with a guide? That might be a place to start.
Low_Budget_Hooker reply :
Josh-The guys aren't being mean, just brutally honest which is exactly what you need to hear.
I don't think they doubt your passion but especiallty people like GW, I bet he's seen more of "your type" (not derogatory) fail than succeed. Set up right, heed the time proven advice being offered.
Good luck in your venture!
George Welcome reply :
Guiding in Texas: step #1
What are the requirements for a saltwater fishing guide? Freshwater?
Current state and federal laws require those persons that take people out fishing for hire, must have a U.S. Coast Guard Captains License: Charterboat Captain /OUPV/ Six Pack License. It is the operators responsibility to assure compliance with USCG regulations. For more information, contact the Houston Regional Exam Center at (713) 948-3350 or 948-3351.
On top of that you would need a TPWD issued Fishing Guides License, costs $200 for the saltwater version ($125 for freshwater version-the saltwater version allows you to fish both). To get the TPWD saltwater license you have to show a valid USCG Captains License. Other than that and a boat and a couple rods and reels, you're free to offer trips anywhere in Texas marine or fresh waters.
I might suggest contacting the Coastal Bend Guides Association for more information. http://www.cbga.org
A Freshwater fishing guide license "is required for any person who for compensation accompanies, assists, or transports any person engaged in fishing in the waters of the state." The license costs $125 for guides operating in fresh water only. For guides operating in both fresh and salt water, the fee is $200 for Texas residents and $1,000 for non-residents.
Low_Budget_Hooker reply :
GW-No mandatory insurance?
George Welcome reply :
Step #2:
In most states boat insurance is a matter of choice, not requirement. However, when you venture forth for compensation you would be well advised to have the proper insurance. Commercial Insurance typically runs 1000-1200 per year for a 20 foot boat with a 200 HP pusher. This is for lake or inshore coverage and carries a 1,000,000. umbrella. Regular boat insurance becomes null and void for any commercial usage of the boat.
Step #3:
Know your body of water like the back of your eye lids. This is not just a requirement for catching fish but for safety also. There is nothing like getting caught in a bad storm and wondering which way is the safe way to the ramp.
Geesh - I could write a book about this: oh, I think I might have already done that.
Josh,
As others have said, I'm not being mean, just being real. There is so much more to this business than having a boat, equipment, and knowledge of your lakes.
You have to have an undying love for bass fishing as you are going out there no matter the weather or family occassions that you are going to miss. It's a day after day event that for most becomes a grind in a hurry. The rewards are many, but they don't come cheaply.
Fish Chris reply :
Choke Canyon ??? That's the place with the huge Gator Gars, is it not ? I'd pay you to put me on some of those !
Don't know why anybody would fish for wimpy little bass, when they had those radical prehistoric monsters to tangle with ! ;-)
Okay... Okay... we have Sturgeon which can go 300 plus lbs, and although I do love to fish for them too, I still probably spend more time each year, chasing these "little ol' Bass" :-) Hard to say why I still love the green ones, with the big mouths, so much....
Peace,
Fish
Jerkbate reply :
Josh,
I am a college instructor, and I one of the courses that I teach is Entrepreneurship. I recommend that you do a business plan. Be sure to be realistic with your numbers when you do the financial portion of the plan. The plan takes some research and time, but it will allow you to make very informed decisions about your guide business. It will help you layout your finances, set prices, obtain permits & insurance, & also help you make the decision as to whether or not guiding is a realistic career for you. After doing the business plan you may decide that the cost and effort may out way the return or maybe not. However, those are the types of decision that the business plan will allow you to make. Here is a website that should help.
http://www.sba.gov
If you have any questions send me a PM, and I will answer them to the best of my ability.
cart7t reply :
There are 2 businesses that always sound really attractive to get into but almost always wind up being completely different than expectations for those that try it. One is a fishing guide and the other is a fishing resort owner. I've known guys who have done both. Some got out and others stayed in but they all said the same thing, the job became something completely different than what they envisioned originally.
Something to think about.
RoLo reply :
The fact that you need to pose the question, speaks volumes to me.
If you "know" that you've got what it takes, you're wasting precious time asking questions.
If I wanted to be a fishing guide, I would not be interested in anyone's opinion or anyone's money
and NO ONE could stand in my way. If someone lacks an aggressive passion or responsible mindset,
I cannot in good conscience advise him or her to "Go For It".
I can't be that reckless with someone else's prosperity and happiness, just to look like a good guy.
Roger
J@k3 01s3n reply :
While I love bass fishing... I can't imagine ever being a guide. It takes a special kind of guy to turn his favorite hobby into his job.
I have a Father/Son duo that I charter with for salmon every year. Betwwen dissatisfied customers when the bite isnt on, rising gas costs, weather, and all of the uncontrollable factors, it sounds like it was often a headache. Not to mention the guy told me he was on site at 4 am just to get ready to take off by 6 when we got there. Talk about a lot of long days spent out on the water watching other people fish. Maybe you can enjoy it, not for me though.
P.S. If you can get me on a fish like the ones you've been posting, I'll make the drive down from MI. We dont see too many of them up here.
Low_Budget_Hooker reply :
Are there other guides on Choke yet?
I've always wondered, and perhaps GW could shed some light, if other , established guides feel about the new kid on the block. We are talking about someone who could potentialyy be taking money out of their pocket.
I entertained the thought of guiding when I retire but I just can't see someone like me,a yankee talking, small guy, showing up down at stick marsh with a boat and setting up business where other guides already work without going to the boat one morning to see that my anchor has been used to perforate my hull in a few places.
I know that's how it is up here.
George Welcome reply :
Everyone has to start somewhere. However, arriving at the lake yesterday and starting today is one of those things that will set off bad feelings. No matter who you are, when you first start you will be getting business. If you know what you are doing and are operating legitimately then no problem. When you pop up out of the blue with no knowledge and even less fishing skill, you will get business and in the process hurt everyone. Not with the business that you took, but with the bad mouthing that is going to follow. We live in a small world with the internet being the tool that it is. It won't take long for the wrong people for this industry to fail, but with them going they leave a bad taste in all the people that they have fooled. These people in turn will turn tell all their friends to watch out for that lake. We hear it all the time:
It's no different in this industry than it is in many other. Back yard mechanics, the computer industry, etc. all have their scabs, whores, and such. No matter the industry, they hurt everyone, not just themself as they fail.
There are a bunch of guides on Choke.
I've said it before and I will say it again: if you are hiring a guide do some research. I have seen all kinds of tactics used to promote oneself as having history and experience to do this job, when in fact the history was made up and the experience non-existent. Seems like Florida and Texas get slam-dunked with just such individuals.
Randall reply :
Being someone who recently started guiding (two years ago) I have to say that there is some good advice in the previous posts. I would definately charge more. If the other guides are charging more and you are charging way less then as your potential clients shop around your prices will get you more negative feedback from other guides as well as make you look to be a less qualified person to take them out. Cheap prices could cause you to get less trips insted of more. You dont have to charge as much as they do but I would be close to their prices. I charge $150 a day for my guide service but I have far less money going out than you will. My boat is an all electric boat which all put together cost me less than $1000 dollars. It costs about $1 a day to operate and my tow vehicle is a small 1991 Dodge Colt which burns very little gas and is cheap to operate. And I probably dont charge enough. You will have a larger boat and tow vehicle and expenses to operate those add up quick. Next question is what kind of experience do you have in dealing with people and operating a business. Before being a guide I was a manager at other peoples large businesses. Without this experience I wouldnt have made it as a guide and would probably been back working a job real quick. At the time I started my guide service there were four other people who started guiding on the same lakes I did. They were all decent fishermen. They were all gone in a couple of months. And like George said they gave people a bad taste for guides on those lakes because they couldnt keep people catching fish and didnt have good people skills. All they did was tick a lot of people off. Also, there is a big difference between you catching fish and getting other people to be able to catch fish. You will have all different kinds of people of different skill levels get into your boat. All of them will not be able to cast well, feel strikes from fish, work a topwater properly, etc. You will have people get into your boat who think they know everything about fishing and will not listen to you about the lures, location and techniques you say will work. If you dont have the skills to deal with these people then you will have a very long day on the water. These ( the one who think they know everything) are also usually the ones who will bad mouth you to everyone they meet after the trip and try to ruin your reputation. Without the skills to help these people catch fish they may catch nothing for the day even though you could have caught 50. I suggest getting help and advice from someone who is already a guide there. I had a few guys, including Triton Mike from this website, who gave me a bunch of help and advice as I started my guide service. The advice they gave me was a big help in getting started and staying in business.
Matt Fly reply :
Nice post Randall,
I'm sure Josh is looking for all the input he can get.
Low_Budget_Hooker reply :
QuoteI've said it before and I will say it again: if you are hiring a guide do some research. I have seen all kinds of tactics used to promote oneself as having history and experience to do this job.
Oh don't I know it...... :-[
Thanks for your input on this one GW, great info. I'm interested because I've also been on the fence for years about what to do when I retire. I'm sure it will be somthing inthe industry but I don't know if I could cut it as a guide. At least as a guide I would want to hire. Just being honest with myself. I've always assumed the things you preach about the business but hearing it from your mouth makes it real.
Low_Budget_Hooker reply :
QuoteYou will have people get into your boat who think they know everything about fishing and will not listen to you about the lures, location and techniques you say will work. If you dont have the skills to deal with these people then you will have a very long day on the water. These ( the one who think they know everything) are also usually the ones who will bad mouth you to everyone they meet after the trip and try to ruin your reputation.
Lake Fork was my first experience in dealing with freshwater guides. One thing I noticed about the guy we hired that was a good business move was that his "guarentee" of fish was only good if you use his gear. Rod/reel were all Kistler/shimano combos so no liability there. Provided all the tackle. Smart move.
I don't know if he had a deal with Kistler but if I were Kistler, I would stock his boat with the current line, 4 each!! They are essentially "on water demo's". I was persoanlly looking at those rods and was excited that I would get to try one before I bought one.
senile1 reply :
QuoteQuoteI've said it before and I will say it again: if you are hiring a guide do some research. I have seen all kinds of tactics used to promote oneself as having history and experience to do this job.
Oh don't I know it...... :-[
Thanks for your input on this one GW, great info. I'm interested because I've also been on the fence for years about what to do when I retire. I'm sure it will be somthing inthe industry but I don't know if I could cut it as a guide. At least as a guide I would want to hire. Just being honest with myself. I've always assumed the things you preach about the business but hearing it from your mouth makes it real.
I agree. My wife and I have plans for living near, or on, a large lake at retirement, but as for being a guide, it takes years of fishing the same lake to be worthy of the title, IMO. And as GW said, a bad guide is not good for fishing.
guest reply :
I fell into guiding in 1990 just from winning a few tournaments in a row, locals contacting me pretty often wanting me to take them out. I didn't name a fee at first but simply took their money, at that time from guys that used guides just to get a better handle on the Arkansas River and knew the going price was $100 per half day.
I was careful never to promise they would CATCH bass, but I could put them on bass consistently. The catching was up to them, and that turned out to be a teaching burden on top of positioning the boat and all the other duties YOU have to do. Finding bass was rarely a problem there that lasted more than a few hours. Finding large bass was a lot tougher for clients demanding those.
As that sideline business limped along some marina and boat shop operators who knew me well began passing my name out after hearing from satisfied customers telling who taught them to fish that river. Get it? Too many learn and don't hire you back because they only needed a good one-shot start.
Then the problem comes of getting replacement non-local clients. I had a local dentist as a regular who liked not having to maintain a boat and equipment, and a few other repeats. At that point I was faced with self promotion out-of-town somehow or waiting until new blood came there asking who they should hire. Good grief! What is this? I never planned to be in the business, had never wanted in.
Another problem was only getting to fish a few hours a week between that and my full time job, where before I was on the river every day after work. It was getting to the point I began losing my love for fishing. It had become a chore instead of a hobby. My favorite rods and reels wore and broke a lot faster than I anticipated, then found myself buying that stuff very often compared to adding a rod & reel once a year. I was going through 20 a year where 8 rods had lasted me up to 10 years before! Most clients will NOT learn quickly enough to be careful with those rods. That's simply not a factor in the equation in their mind what a good trip ought to involve. And the LINE! I was buying it by the mile (not the cheap stuff), respooling nights because of hopeless birdsnests and of course the gritty river water and rock jetties. Reel maintenance was a weekly chore instead of once every two months.
Then I found out about the extra state guiding requirements, forked that out, and finally got right with my boat insurance. It wasn't long then the state demanded I start paying estimated taxes, a bill that continued whether I had that much extra income or not any particular quarter. It seemed the day the bills were due came only during dry spells. Then the IRS told me to do the same for them. That really complicated things, requiring "borrowed" money from my full time job. The only thing that worked right was the boat, a 2 year old Ranger with payments of $550 a month. It took no less boat than that for that river.
There were months I doubled my total net salary, but MAN what a task earning that! After 4 years of that I finally got rescued. Other guides pooled together to file a complaint I was taking business from them using information gained at work. In a sense that was truth, but that was exxagerated. I wasn't "taking" business from them. Guides there stay as busy as they want to be. I was given the choice, a guiding check or federal check for a living. Once again I was fishing for ME. And that's the way it stayed.
My advice? Being a good basser is a small part of it. Why? Because you no longer FISH, but instead have to TALK good fishing techniques well enough for clients to learn your skills, AND find bass for them. You had better become as good going after the other species too, as few clients understand your excuses for not wanting to put them on crappie. "Cap, I hear there's some big crappie here. Let's go for those instead of bass. I love eating those." Well, there you are. You have had to become a fully functional, legal, intelligent businessman that can keep good records and never run out of stock of things clients need. Did I mention replacing lost and worn lures? Or getting 3-4 hours sleep in 24? Gotta make a run to Stuttgart for some 6" shad for a picky client wanting to get in on some stripers....a circulator tank cost HOW much? Oh, man, I've only got ONE striper rod & reel! WHY did I say "come on down"?
Charge no less than anyone else. They shop around. The first question they will ask themselves is "Why are you cheaper?" They won't ask you why, but will try to book with the higher priced guide. People hiring guides want SERVICE, not a deal. He thinks "I bet that other guide is better since he charges more and knows he's worth it. After all, my TIME is valuable and I can't hardly get away to fish, and I want to KNOW I'll have a good trip." They really do think that way.
WHEW! Enough said from my corner...
Jim
related General Bass Fishing Forum topic
previous topic
most viewed General Bass Fishing Forum topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.