Hi,

Stupid question (i hope not): does a guide service typically always have a strict plan on what's the gameplan on what to do for the day or can we request focusing on certain techniques, etc.?

For context, I am planning to have a dedicated fishing trip to Clearlake, CA in May/June with my brother. I am an avid bass fisherman, whereas my brother is a new to whole bass fishing thing. I am thinking - if this is going to be the only chance I have to fish at Clearlake, I want to make the best moment possible, such as catching a 7 to teen pounders bass or catching a school of bass with reaction baits for the entire day. Is this something that can be requested/talked to the guide service or what's the norm?

Thanks,

N

Hi Nero,

Being a bass head, I know you want to go for them big big'un's that swim in Clearlake! Hiring a guide you are hiring his knowledge of the lake too. With your brother being new to bass fishing and I am suspecting you really want him to have a good time too so he becomes a future bass head too. So maybe splitting your time between numbers and going for lunkers might be a good thing.

My first thought is talk to your guide, tell him your thoughts on how you want the trip to go or your goals for the trip. The more you communicate the more likely your trip will be a success. Since your an experienced angler and your brother is not. You might have your guide work with him more then yourself. Good luck and make sure to post a after action report here!

Best,

Fishingmickey

This will help!

If you talk to a guide and He tells you everything you want to hear, don't hire him or her. For example if you say your brother is a beginner and you are experienced, and he say's no problem you both will crush them, dont worry about experience the bass are easy to catch go with someone else.

If you talk to a guide who explains the disadvantages of an inexperienced angler, and what the learning curve may be, he may recommend live bait fishing, or maybe even fishing for another species for your brother, you need to consider hiring this guide. You still have to ask more questions and tell him what your expectations are, how you would like to fish, and if you don't want to fish live bait, FFS , some other technique. This guide will most likely answer your questions honestly. He may tell you he doesn't do well with beginners, or he may say he has perfected a few techniques that are easy for beginners to be successful, and you brother may even outfish you. If he describes a trip you feel both you and your brother would like, than hire him or her. If you feel his style of fishing or success rate isn't what you want look for someone else.

If all you do is call up and ask how the fishing is, and what they have caught lately, you will not have enough information to make a decision. Many times people will only ask if they can bass fish, and if certain dates are available. The answer will be yes and the date set. The more questions you ask, the better you will be able to understand what to expect.

I have had clients that by the time I was through explaining what I thought the fishing and difficulties would be, it sounded like I was trying to talk them out of a trip. They came and had a great time, but new exactly what to expect. If they only wanted to fly fish, and I felt the conditions were not good for fly fishing, but spinning gear would work well, they would not be surprised if I recommended picking up a spinning rod.

The old saying if it sounds to good to be true it isn't true is good advice when picking a guide.

@king fisher - seems like they should be to at least listen to what my expectations are assuming they are realistic on the water.

My brother is fortunately a bit flexible about the whole thing - this is more on my dream trip going to Clearlake and he is just happy to tag along.

Does anyone know some recommendations I can look up to? I have heard of Ross England - sounds like he is an old school.

Edited March 24Mar 24 by NeroXyn

Gosh, there is good advice in this thread. I kept thinking as I read the responses, "I'd mark this as the solution. No, this. No, this."

Great points made by all!❤️

On 3/24/2026 at 10:47 AM, NeroXyn said:

or can we request focusing on certain techniques, etc.?

You are the one writing the check, so ultimately he's most likely going to do what you ask.

With that being said, he's the expert and might think differently.

You just need to have an open and honest conversation.

At the end of the day, he wants you HAPPY for several reasons.

1) Tip

2) Repeat business

3) Referrals

On 3/25/2026 at 7:28 PM, HawkeyeSmallie said:

You are the one writing the check, so ultimately he's most likely going to do what you ask.

With that being said, he's the expert and might think differently.

You just need to have an open and honest conversation.

At the end of the day, he wants you HAPPY for several reasons.

1) Tip

2) Repeat business

3) Referrals

This is true on the crappie guided trips I've been to on lakes I have no knowledge on. Could I pull my boat 3-4 hours away and figure it out yeah, Do I want to when I can call a guide and have him load 3 of us in the boat and put us on fish, I promise ya, that couple hundred dollars was well spent on their knowledge. I can only imagine a bass guide would be about the same.

The only 3 times I hired a guide was the 3 times I went to Florida to saltwater fish. In 2015, 2018, and last year in 2025. When I went with my Father in 2018, it was a 3 day trip to the Keys to specifically saltwater fish that we had planned a year in advance. The other two times I was in the Tampa area for vacation and hired a guide one day to inshore fish.

My experience every time was nothing short of exceptional. I would hire all of them again in a minute.