Guide Service

Quick question. I am a regular of pool 9 since I was old enough to walk. I am now 25 years old and married. I have a 2003 Alumacraft 165 Mag with a 75 Honda. I teach school and coach. We’ve had a trailor in Lansing for years and years. Just wondering if it is out of the question to guide for walleyes and smallmouth, along with northern pike during late May through the summer? Just wanted some ideas from the guys that do it alot. I had several ideas on prices and options like that. Just wondering how hard it is to get something like this going. I wouldn’t consider myself a pro fisherman, but have had numerous years experience and have caught fish when no one else has. I’m not in it to make alot of money but if I can make money at what I love to do, why not. Advice from the masters would be great. Thanks

You will want to check into that captains license before going much futher. Don’t quote me on it, but I remember a bunch of discussion on this a while back.

You also need to consider guide insurnace which runs about $550-600 per year.

I just started guiding in IA this year and a caption licence is necessary plus they inspect your boat and put a extra letter on it I have not got the opportunity to guide much but whatI have has been a blast GOOD LUCK

I’m not a guide but being in the field I can tell you it is something that one needs to take very, very, very seriously. There’s a lot of up-front cost. It’s not all fun. In fact, it pretty tough work. I would suggest talking to some guides privately to get some candid responses. Be sure to ask about “the bad stuff”. Good luck in whatever you choose.

I have alot of friends who have gone out with guides. Mostly musky. Prior to this past spring, I’ve never considered it………because I never needed it………I thought………

Of my buddies who have hired guides, only 1 person came back with a day that impressed me……….So, I never considered it…..

Then, I heard all this talk about plastics on the river and went with James 2 times.

My advice to you is make sure you have people skills. I give James credit in doing something I know I can’t do…….That is BS with people all day long, keeping them entertained and “baby sitting” at times……..Every day, day in and day out, every single day………I couldn’t do it, but he gave my 80 year old father the time of his life this spring with awesome fishing, baiting hooks, netting fish, giving up the rod with fish, and conversing alllllll dayyyyyyy longgggg with great conversation.

James is a people person. I talked with Dustin before at the dock…….He seems like a good “people person” too.

I think that is the key to being a good guide. Being able to talk to people and keep them happy and entertained…..

ditto …. dustin and james = good people … well worth the cost
barry