I never have hired a guide.  I never had the money to spend on one.

Are you asking about a guide or a charter?  or maybe a combination of both?  If you do not have boat access, hiring a charter is the next best thing, other than a friend having a boat.

 

As for guides, I have used them twice.  In both instances I wanted to learn something. The first, catching stripers from a kayak in salt water.  The second, learning to fish for Bass offshore.  In both instances, worth every penny!  They cut years off of having to "figure it out" on my own.

I hired a guide once ~35 years ago.  I was down in Florida racing.  I hired a guide to take me fishing on Okeechobee.   The guide was great.  I caught a bunch of big bass, but it wasn't my kind of fishing.   I was fishing with live shiners using basically deep sea equipment.   The guide was super nice, very helpful and full of knowledge.   I don't remember what it cost.  I do remember giving him a $50 tip.  I hope that was a good tip, back in 1980 something.   If you're considering hiring a guide, go for it.  You'll never know until you try.   

Been fishing with a guide at least one a year (sometimes twice)

for the past 10 years. (never locally).  With only a few exceptions it's been the same guide, Manual.

We are on water where I could never guide myself as I have Zero local knowledge and the huge lake is not Mapped. So I am totally dependent on his knowledge, skill and experience to make each and every one of the 5-7 day trips memorable. The guys a blast to fish with and he Never disappoints. 

I learn something new just about every trip.

However my most important take away has been

learning what it takes to consistently put really big largemouth bass in the net.   

My final piece of advice, is to ask the guide how & what you should fish,

and then fish it like your life depended on it.

Even if you are familiar water and you think his 'idea/method' is 'cooky'.

Do it anyway, you'll end up having a good day one way or the other. 

Good Luck.

 

I have never hired a guide. I've gone on numerous salmon charters. My first guided trip will be the Wisconsin opener 2024. Should have been the opener 2023 but his engine blew up. 

 

If I still had my Lund, I wouldn't waste the money.

 

What I mean by that is, there is enough info on line for someone who has a boat, half a brain, and an unlimited amount of time, to figure out how to fish.