Hiring a fishing guide can be one of the best, or worst, experiences you can have on the water. The difference between the two descriptions does not lie solely upon the guide himself. No, you cannot place all the blame upon the guide, because you chose him.
Hiring a guide is not as simple as one would assume, especially if you hire that captain over the internet or via some other long-distance method.
Sure, it’s easy enough to arrive at a destination, wander through local phone books or tourist brochure racks and find someone’s advertisement. One may even tour the docks and marinas, looking for an attractive boat, one that seems like it’s rigged for the catch. Talking to the mate or skipper helps, if they’re around, or even judging a boat’s success by the photo gallery displayed at it’s mooring.
What is not easy, however, is choosing a skipper strictly from an internet, magazine or phone book ad. That’s what I hope to help you with here.
No advertisement of any kind should be the only reason you pick that guide. After all, he may have a beautiful boat, the best equipment, the most fashionable clothes, and the best-written ad…. But, can he use all that to get you your fish? Don’t count on it. A guide may run the ugliest boat on the water and still be the best in his area. Others will spend thousands on image alone, just to catch one thing…One-time customers.
The client has a responsibility to himself and the guide to make the right choice, and be satisfied with it no matter what the outcome.
It’s a common misconception that guides are the best among fishermen, and they never get ‘skunked’.
The guides themselves perpetuate this image. After all, who wants to pay someone to catch nothing? Face it. Everyone gets skunked. It may not happen to you today, but it will eventually. You may hire a guide who catches fish all day long on one trip, nothing the next. Unfortunately, it’s the bad trip that sticks in your mind, the one you judge that guide by forever after.
There is a lot more to the fishing trip than catching fish. Your guide, though he may not be the best fisherman on the water, is certainly more experienced than the average and can teach you techniques you can’t get from books or TV shows.
Then again, you may be more experienced than the guide, but what of it? Again, you hired him.
The hiring of a fishing guide should be a well thought decision. If you hire someone on the spur of the moment without talking to them at length, you leave yourself open to a great many calamities, fishless days being the least of your worries.
Here are a few tips that will help you make your decision, but remember, it’s still up to you who you hire, and the guide who serves you best may not fit these criteria at all, but pay special attention to these first items:
Necessary Requirements:
1. The United States Coast Guard and Federal law, require any person, company or entity which offers any vessel for hire for the purpose of taking passengers, to possess a valid captain’s license. The individual who runs the boat must have the license in their own name, and be able to display it upon demand in it’s original form. If the guide is not licensed, then do not, under any circumstance, hire that person. If he’s illegal in that respect, then what other problems could you expect?
2. Is this person insured? Yes, insurance, especially commercial vessel insurance is expensive, but if you slip and fall on a wet deck, hook yourself, or drown, does this captain have the proper insurance to cover you? He may have insurance to cover his boat, but his responsibility to you is to cover his clients with liability and medical insurance. Never hire an uninsured guide.
3. Does this guide supply you with your fishing license for the trip? All states require fishing licenses, most coastal states require saltwater licenses, and any guide worth his salt should satisfy his client’s license requirements by having a “blanket license” to cover anyone who fishes on his boat. An out of state license for one day is commonly more expensive than a resident license, and may be extremely expensive if you purchase it for more than one day. Never hire a guide who does not cover you in this respect, as it incurs extra expense on your part.
4. Are you paying cash, check or credit card? Find out what the guide’s preferences are in this respect. Some guides will not accept checks or credit cards. This may create a bad situation at the dock, when no ATM is nearby. Is a deposit required? Most commonly, deposits are required and are non-refundable unless the guide or the weather should cancel the trip. The deposit is to pay the guide for his preparation, the loss of the trip, and the loss of that day’s income if you should happen to back out for some reason.
5. Does the guide/charter supply all your tackle and baits? A good charter guide supplies you with everything short of your refreshments, some even supply the lunch and drinks. Although I would rather supply my own food, and ask that my customers do the same, I supply everything else. Are there extra charges that you should know about, such as paying for gas? Some charters require extra money when you return to the dock for the fuel used on your trip, so be sure to check all aspects before you book.
Things to consider:
1. Price. The all-important concern of anyone who hires a guide, but it shouldn’t be. Some guides will price themselves so low that they seem a real bargain. Others price themselves high to seem like the better choice. After all…. expensive does mean better, right? Not always. Check the local prices for those guides who fish the method of your choice and get an average. Most guides price themselves in order to make a decent living and pay for their expenses. Those who cover all your needs will be more expensive than those who are bare bones, but those extras are well worth the cost. If a guide’s rate seems well below the average, then buyer, beware! Many so called “guides” run bare bones charters, operate without the proper licensing or insurance, run unsafe or non-seaworthy vessels, or are only in the business on a part-time basis. These scam artists take whatever they can get for a fare, ruin the reputation of all above-board guides, and depend on one-shot clients, not the return business we all try to build for our businesses through customer satisfaction.
2. Is the boat large enough to take you or your entire party comfortably? Does your family want to spend an entire day on a cramped little skiff? Hire the proper sized boat for the number in your party. If you have six persons coming along, don’t expect to hire a backwater or flats charter.
3. Does the guide mix parties? Fishing all day with someone you don’t know may be okay if you are standing on a bridge or pier, but what about when you pay premium prices for a privately guided trip? Never hire a guide who mixes parties or allows others to buy into your trip. Head boats are all well and good if that’s what you want, but we’re talking about guided fishing trips, not park and drop.
4. Does your guide call you back? Is he punctual with his calls? If someone can’t return a business call on time, will he pick you up on time? Can he be any more responsible to you on the water? When you do speak to him on the phone, does he answer your questions completely and readily, or does he seem unsure? Choose a guide who is sure of himself, knowledgeable of his business, and who speaks intelligently and professionally with his clients. Make sure your guide calls to confirm a day or two before your scheduled trip. Don’t expect the guide to make all the long distance calls though.
The guide is not the only one with a responsibility for your good trip. You have a responsibility to remember some things and ignore some others.
Things for you to remember:
1. The term is “Fishing GUIDE”, not “Fishing GOD”. Everyone has a bad day, and it may just be the one you’ve chartered. Don’t blame a bad day on a guide who visibly works hard to get you your fish. If he lazes around, shows no energy or initiative, or simply sits in one spot all day and you don’t catch…. Yes, then you can be disappointed. On the other hand, don’t think that just because it’s a beautiful day, the fish should be jumping into the boat for you. There are many factors involved in fishing successfully, including weather, barometric pressure, water clarity, wind direction and speed, water salinity, tides, moon phase and position, as well as the baits chosen and your own personal ability. Your guide has a lot to think about to get you your fish, don’t be too disappointed should any of these factors spoil his best laid plans.
2. Don’t overdo the alcohol. If you bring beer aboard (NEVER bring liquor aboard!) drink responsibly. The last thing a guide wants or needs is a drunken client.
3. If you have a potentially unpredictable medical condition, or one that causes you discomfort in any way, tell the guide. Make him aware that you require a slower ride, or if you are carrying medication of ANY kind. Your health, comfort and safety are among his top priorities.
4. If you bring a youngster along, make them sit still and behave. Your guide is not a babysitter, and certainly can’t concentrate on providing you a pleasurable experience if your kids are underfoot. I recommend leaving children under 7 years of age at home. Some commercial vessel insurance policies do not cover minors under the age of 16. Ask and make sure.
5. Forget everything you’ve seen on TV. Roland what’s-his-name, Babe who-ever, and all the other guys may be very successful in that half hour television show, but what they don’t tell you is that those shows take 2 to 3 weeks to produce. You are with your guide for a few short hours, so never compare your success with him to a television show. It’s very narrow minded, not to mention extremely rude and disrespectful to someone who is personally working to get you your fish.
6. Don’t expect a world record fish. Don’t even expect a huge fish. Every day on the water is different; your guide is there to see that. He will take you to the best spots, use the most effective baits and try his hardest to get whatever is available at the time of year into the boat for you. I’m not saying that you should take what you get and be happy, but don’t expect more than what’s reasonable.
7. Forget what’s new in the lure market. Your guide uses what has been tried and true for him, not what happens to be hot at the time or what’s the most heavily advertised on TV.
8. Tip the guide if you are satisfied with his performance, whether you catch or not. How much do you tip? Consider that a waitress spends 5 minutes with you at the most, and you commonly tip her %15 or more for her service. Your guide will spend hours with you, making sure you have everything you need, entertaining you and your party. Tip generously, your guide has earned it. If you are in a situation where there is a deckhand or mate, tip them, not the captain. Generally, mates work harder than the skipper, and for tips alone. The mate depends on your generosity for his living.
9. Finally, have a good time. Make friends with your guide, pick his brain, tell your jokes and laugh at his. Enjoy the water, the surroundings, the wildlife, and seize the day for what it offers. There is more than fishing to enjoy, so take advantage of it all and you will have a much better time than if you sat and steamed about not catching fish.
Hiring a guide is the best way to fish a previously unknown area or method, and usually far cheaper than renting a boat, buying equipment, etc. There are far fewer problems, you don’t have to buy gas or pay for damages incurred by your lack of area knowledge (sandbars and rocks come to mind). You don’t have to fumble around an area, you won’t get lost, and you’ll make a friend whom you can hire over and over again. Some clients have hired the same guide for years on end, never concerned about the catch, but more than happy to have a good time on the water with someone they trust without worry.
Now that you know a bit more about hiring a guide and the relationship that ensues, what more is there? That part is easy. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the day. After all, you’re paying to do just that!
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The author is a retired guide from of Sarasota Florida and is now a freelance writer of articles for online magazines and fishing websites.
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