I have recently been asked by a couple people around town if I do any guide services. Mostly from tourists or clients that I meet through business. I have been pondering this idea because there are no bass guide services in our area. It would most likely be something in a few years once my advertising business established itself and employees can handle the load when I am not around. Has anyone had or operated this kind of business before? Does it deter the enjoyments of bass fishing because you could be teaching people how to fish that may have never fished before, and bass fishing is a complicated sport. Its not like going out on a 22' cabin cruiser and trolling for 8 hours. I would not be giving up my money holes so I have been fishing a lot more areas that are generally open to anyone and most people know about them. There are a lot of things to think about and I am looking for more input.

First I find it strange when you are in advertising for people to just ask you if you are a fishing guide. Second, I see a bunch of red flags that say you shouldn't head down the guide road.

I am assuming that you want honest answers and thoughts.

If you don't truly enjoy showing people how to fish and sharing your knowledge you won't last.

I don't begin to know what money holes are, but you are going to accept money to put people on fish - that means you need to show all and tell all.

General info:

a guides day starts well before the ramp departure at the lake - boat prep etc. takes time.

a guides day ends sometime after dinner - boat cleaning, answering the phone calls, etc. takes considerable time.

a guides day includes instruction as needed, baiting hooks if needed, removing fish from hooks, and even babysitting junior.

a guides day includes seeing equipment damaged through carelessness, boat being damaged, and at times personal self being injured by flying hooks and lures.

a successful guides day starts with years of learning what it takes to be successful on the water - people are going to pay you to put them on fish and show them how to catch them. Each and every trip is a tournament that you must win. If you don't you won't be around long.

The expenses are high, but if you truly love bass fishing, and truly enjoy people than you will make it.

My impression from your questions and your expressed thoughts about a cabin cruiser and trolling for 8 hours: you won't enjoy this "guide thing" for very long.

I started guiding over 40 years ago and I still find each trip as unique and enjoyable as I did at the onset of following the guide trail.

If you look at my profile there is link to my web pages - take a look at the comments pages.

t would most likely be something in a few years once my advertising business established itself and employees can handle the load when I am not around.

May I suggest you focus on one business at a time.

So many factors to guiding that the general public just doesn't realize.  It's not just getting paid to go fishing, it's a straight up, no nonsense BUSINESS.

This means INSURANCE, Captains license, taxes,etc.

Trolling won't cut it, not even in saltwater.  You will need to employ every tactic you know and a few you will learn.  This includes putting people on your honey holes,etc.  If you aren't willing to give up everything you know, don't bother because your competition IS willing, that's why they are guides.

Good luck with your venture should you decide to take this path.

I do strongly suggest however thast you exchange #'s with George and let him give you a quick education about what you are considering.  It's alot more work and time than people realize.

One other item to add to the equation.

Four guides I know have told me that they fish one or two bodies of water, only.

By doing this they can study and know the structure and contours of the water and be their best when guiding.

So if you want to be a guide, please consider selecting one body of water to guide so you do not dulute your self.

Also, there is a lot of time when not guiding that you have to be on the water fishing to learn how the fish react in that particular body of water.  So George, add to your list the time and money spent learning the waters where you want to guide even before you start your day.

And don't forgot those people who don't show up for the trip or are late or expect to catch a bass on every cast.

Yes I am in advertising and I have been thankful enough that I have been pretty successful the first year to allow me to fish as much as I have. I spend a lot of time fishing and catching large fish in our area. I have pictures in my office and a lot of people hear the stories of me catching large bass. I have had a couple friends and clients ask if I ever thought about becoming a guide. That is where this post derives from. I don't plan on anything in the next couple years because I first need my advertising business to become more self supportive where I don't have to be there every day.

When I was speaking about the trolling issue, I wasn't expressing thoughts that I didn't like it. As long as I'm on the water, I usually catch fish. I just went out with a buddy on monday, he owns a charter company for Mackinaw and Rainbows. We weren't catching anything off the bat with his lures. So I made a suggestion to change some baits after looking through his boxes and we had fish on right after another. I have been fishing Lake Pend Oreille for about 10 years now and am still amazed by its topography. There are 141 miles of shoreline and countless tributaries.

After I get a couple more years under my belt and buy a better boat, that is when I was going to become a little more seroius about it. Right now I am working about 60 hour weeks and when I am not working I am usually out fishing. I love teaching people how to fish. I have about 5-6 friends I have taught how to become a better bass fisher and what lures they should be using. They are now pulling more fish and better size fish.

Removing fish for people and getting hit by lures . I know from experience how to do this and remove hooks from fish and clothing. My wife and her friend fishes with me alot and they don't touch anything bigger than a pound or so. So I have become pretty good with removing hooks, moving around the boat, and removing the occasional bait in the back.

I just wanted some opinions and your opinions are great. I am just looking for other avenues that I could be out on the water more and teaching people how to fish. I think one of the coolest things in the world is watching someone pull in their PB and the result was because of you.

I guess maybe I should take a couple trips with some guides down south to see what their lives are like. We don't have many if any in our neck of the woods.