Im thinking of guiding on my home lake while im home from college this summer. What all do i need to do? Are there like permits and stuff i need to get? Im in SC.

You will have to check with your local regulations..I know it is getting tougher and more expensive for guides in Michigan.....

Oh really? I didnt know if i just put an add at places or whatever and just take ppl. but i guees there is some paper work and stuff because of taxes.

Guiding is not easy.

I would suggest checking with the state and local authorities on obtaining a business license and your insurance agent about insurance on your boat which will now be used for business and not pleasure.

At least a $1,000,000 watercraft liability limit would be needed to protect your financial solvency. Higher limits are strongly suggested.

Advertising, overhead, clients who do not show up, angry clients who do not catch anything, broken rods, reels and lost tackle and dealing with the public make guiding a serious and expensive business.

I commend you on thinking about guiding and making some money this summer but add up the credits and demerits and then decide if you really want to do this.

Let us know what you decide to do. 

You need a license here in Texas. You will need to check your state regulations to be sure.

Check the following:

License requirement

Insurance requirement

Local lake/city regulations

Try to advertise not only catching fish but teaching the younger crowd. Run a class on techniques as well as learning to operate electronics. Something to set you apart from the others.

Repeat business will be the backbone of your success. It's not all about catching fish either. Some will be happy to just take a boat ride and enjoy the day on the lake. Others, well, lets just say you will learn quickly.

Have a bottle of whiskey hidden near the lake. You will need it after a day on the water with a few of your future bookings. Don't ask me how I learned that.

Good luck!

Let's see.

I believe in my state you have to have CG certification.

Certification in CPR.

There's one or two more I've forgotten.

You'll have to have significant liability insurance.

Then tackle for your clients.

Then there's advertising.

What about your boat and motor? Clients don't want to spend money for fishing on an older rig that isn't up to snuff with creature comforts or not operating properly.

I've had the opportunity in past years to guide part time at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. In fact, the clientele would be fed to me from a local up-scale resort so advertising wasn't even an issue. That said, the start-up costs for everything above kept me from doing it. I couldn't see spending my weekends dragging newbs around anyway.

Let's see.

I believe in my state you have to have CG certification.

Certification in CPR.

There's one or two more I've forgotten.

You'll have to have significant liability insurance.

Then tackle for your clients.

Then there's advertising.

What about your boat and motor? Clients don't want to spend money for fishing on an older rig that isn't up to snuff with creature comforts or not operating properly.

I've had the opportunity in past years to guide part time at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. In fact, the clientele would be fed to me from a local up-scale resort so advertising wasn't even an issue. That said, the start-up costs for everything above kept me from doing it. I couldn't see spending my weekends dragging newbs around anyway.

The secret: Weekdays

Thanks for the advice everyone! Im still not sure if ill try it or not because im fishing Elite Series qualifiers so i may not have time for it.

Let's see.

I believe in my state you have to have CG certification.

Certification in CPR.

There's one or two more I've forgotten.

You'll have to have significant liability insurance.

Then tackle for your clients.

Then there's advertising.

What about your boat and motor? Clients don't want to spend money for fishing on an older rig that isn't up to snuff with creature comforts or not operating properly.

I've had the opportunity in past years to guide part time at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. In fact, the clientele would be fed to me from a local up-scale resort so advertising wasn't even an issue. That said, the start-up costs for everything above kept me from doing it. I couldn't see spending my weekends dragging newbs around anyway.

The secret: Weekdays

Unfortunately, the lake is 3 hours one way from my house.  The resort catered to large corporate, weekend outings.  Many lake locals got their guide licenses just to accommodate the 2 resorts there that specialized in those corporate weekends.  It was an easy $100-200 for 4-8 hours work.  Most of the clientele would need a 1/2 hour primer on how to cast a Zebco 33 if you get my drift.   

Let's see.

I believe in my state you have to have CG certification.

Certification in CPR.

There's one or two more I've forgotten.

You'll have to have significant liability insurance.

Then tackle for your clients.

Then there's advertising.

What about your boat and motor? Clients don't want to spend money for fishing on an older rig that isn't up to snuff with creature comforts or not operating properly.

I've had the opportunity in past years to guide part time at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. In fact, the clientele would be fed to me from a local up-scale resort so advertising wasn't even an issue. That said, the start-up costs for everything above kept me from doing it. I couldn't see spending my weekends dragging newbs around anyway.

The secret: Weekdays

Unfortunately, the lake is 3 hours one way from my house. The resort catered to large corporate, weekend outings. Many lake locals got their guide licenses just to accommodate the 2 resorts there that specialized in those corporate weekends. It was an easy $100-200 for 4-8 hours work. Most of the clientele would need a 1/2 hour primer on how to cast a Zebco 33 if you get my drift.

How well I know. I've had a license for years and refuse to let it go. I have not had a paying customer in the boat in years and I hope I never have to resort to it to make a living. I do have a story about a customer's wife and no top, but I don't think I'll post it up here.

Let's see.

I believe in my state you have to have CG certification.

Certification in CPR.

There's one or two more I've forgotten.

You'll have to have significant liability insurance.

Then tackle for your clients.

Then there's advertising.

What about your boat and motor? Clients don't want to spend money for fishing on an older rig that isn't up to snuff with creature comforts or not operating properly.

I've had the opportunity in past years to guide part time at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. In fact, the clientele would be fed to me from a local up-scale resort so advertising wasn't even an issue. That said, the start-up costs for everything above kept me from doing it. I couldn't see spending my weekends dragging newbs around anyway.

The secret: Weekdays

Unfortunately, the lake is 3 hours one way from my house. The resort catered to large corporate, weekend outings. Many lake locals got their guide licenses just to accommodate the 2 resorts there that specialized in those corporate weekends. It was an easy $100-200 for 4-8 hours work. Most of the clientele would need a 1/2 hour primer on how to cast a Zebco 33 if you get my drift.

How well I know. I've had a license for years and refuse to let it go. I have not had a paying customer in the boat in years and I hope I never have to resort to it to make a living. I do have a story about a customer's wife and no top, but I don't think I'll post it up here.

Well if not the story at least the pictures!   ;D

My understanding is that there is also a federal (Homeland Security) permit/lic that is required for any "boat for hire" including fishing guides now.

I hear it is expensive ($1000+) and cumbersome to attain.

A result of the post 9/11 world we live in.  Figures, borders are open for any illegal to cross but honest people trying to make a living get the short end.

My fishing partner guides and I am not aware of

any licensing requirement in Tennessee. Also,

I see nothing listed on the Tennessee Wildlife

Resources Agency website.

There were a couple of articles in BASS Times awhile back about the need for the federal permit.  Wish I could remember what they called it.

Here in PA they started requiring a state license for guides a couple years back.  I think its about $200/year and requires proof of insurance.

having to supply gear for them would be a drag, but the look on peoples face when they catch fish might be worth it

Let's see.

I believe in my state you have to have CG certification.

Certification in CPR.

There's one or two more I've forgotten.

You'll have to have significant liability insurance.

Then tackle for your clients.

Then there's advertising.

What about your boat and motor? Clients don't want to spend money for fishing on an older rig that isn't up to snuff with creature comforts or not operating properly.

I've had the opportunity in past years to guide part time at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. In fact, the clientele would be fed to me from a local up-scale resort so advertising wasn't even an issue. That said, the start-up costs for everything above kept me from doing it. I couldn't see spending my weekends dragging newbs around anyway.

The secret: Weekdays

Unfortunately, the lake is 3 hours one way from my house. The resort catered to large corporate, weekend outings. Many lake locals got their guide licenses just to accommodate the 2 resorts there that specialized in those corporate weekends. It was an easy $100-200 for 4-8 hours work. Most of the clientele would need a 1/2 hour primer on how to cast a Zebco 33 if you get my drift.

How well I know. I've had a license for years and refuse to let it go. I have not had a paying customer in the boat in years and I hope I never have to resort to it to make a living. I do have a story about a customer's wife and no top, but I don't think I'll post it up here.

Can you PM it?   ;D

The federal license is called a 6 pack operators permit I believe, it will cover boats for hire with up to 6 paying customers, it runs from anywhere from $1000 to $2000. And yes you need it if you are guiding navigable waters. Navigable waters are now defined as anything that has a connection (of any size)  to the ocean, and if you think about it that's darn near any water way in the US, unless its a puddle with no inlet or outlet.