To people who say they would never hire a guide- I don't blame you.  There are some guides out there that are in it for the wrong reasons.  Getting into a new type of business transaction can be stressful and if you are worried about getting ripped off, you should probably be more careful how you spend your money.  The way I look at it is, If I had the money to fish with a guide, I would do it.  It's a matter of convenience.  Say I want to try fishing lake Ontario.  I can drive there in a little over three hours.Although  I am totally at home on my river, and have guided there 16 years without an accident or mishap, Should I take my own 16' drift boat?  or  my 16' fishing machine with a 50 horse motor?   I don't know that water well, it's a little bit out of my range, and to be honest, it's big water and out of my comfort zone in my small boats.   Or should I just drive out there with a buddy and split a trip?  That would be $200/day each, and I wouldn't have to worry about towing my boat, finding a launch, finding the fish, etc.  I would also , hopefully, learn techniques that catch fish in the lake and I might find spots that I could return to.

 

  I might also have a great time, and want to do it again.  Most of my clients seem to find $ 150-200/day each for two guys is a pretty reasonable cost for an enjoyable day on a boat. Renting just a boat runs about $150 /day.  But I handle everything.  I have a lot of clients that return year after year and some of them will fish a few times or more a year.  Although it is definitely a business arrangement and I do all of the work, I enjoy that work and I am grateful to have been able to share my experience of fishing the wild and beautiful Upper Delaware river with some exceptional people that have treated me like a family friend over the years.  I know that they feel the same way about me.

Years ago, I purchased an expensive saltwater center-console. In order to defray the cost (and placate my conscience)

I thought seriously about professional guiding. It's questions like this however that make me happy I never took the plunge.

Would you be okay knowing that your daily wages are hanging in the balance, based on a cold-front or other

circumstance beyond your control? Have you ever had an unproductive day at work? Is your pay docked every time

you have a bad day at work? Anyone's who's done any amount of angling knows that there are no guarantees

in fishing, and even KVD can't guarantee you a fish.

 

I've never hired a fishing guide in my life, but that's only because 'locating' fish is my very favorite part of fishing.

It would be foolish for me to pay someone to take away my favorite part of fishing (anybody can wind a fish to the gunnel).

In any case, if I ever did hire a guide and he put in the time and the effort, I could never bring myself to accept

a freebie or half-price fare.

 

Roger

Okay gentlemen, the food fight is over, let's play nice.

My uncle is a guide and my grandpas was a guide and he has been guiding since he was 16 and he never let someone go for free because they didn't catch anything. Say he's bad or whatever but I think it's fair.

Obviously, you have never been a guide. I will leave it at that..............

 

I totally agree.  Sorry, one of my best friends is "untrainalbe".  We have fished together for almost 4yrs, he fishes the same 3 baits, won't change, won't listen, is stuck in his ways and doesn't like trying new things.  Is that untrainable....yep.  You can't help everyone, it's just the way it is....sports are the same way.....IF you lack the want to change and do what is asked, then you can't be trained.

Are there any bass fishing guides in Massachusetts? Or any classes I can take around here? I'm starting to get more confidence I just need some guidance.