Fishing Guide vs Doing It Yourself! (Page 2): Barn... I jumpin' up there with ya for another idea. Any State that doesn't issue a free fishing license to every active duty military...

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

Barnacles wrote:

Slightly off-topic, but travel was mentioned:

I never miss a chance to climb up on my soap box and say that the federal government should issue fishing licenses to (only) those 65 or older, that would be valid in every state. Being able to fish anywhere would sure make retirement sweeter for many of us!

Barn... I jumpin' up there with ya for another idea. Any State that doesn't issue a free fishing license to every active duty military person stationed or visiting there should hang their heads in shame ! Hunting, not really reasonable, due to different safety training and other requirements ,but fishing, easy as pie. Just Thinkin'.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Barnacles wrote:

Slightly off-topic, but travel was mentioned:

I never miss a chance to climb up on my soap box and say that the federal government should issue fishing licenses to (only) those 65 or older, that would be valid in every state. Being able to fish anywhere would sure make retirement sweeter for many of us!

It would be nice, but the feds do not have that authority as the regulations for fishing and hunting are under state control, except fish that fall under treaty with other countries. Even then the quota and access are controlled by individual states.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

DC wrote:

come on papabear not looking for the negative but he did say to feel free to disagree or add your own comments that is all I was doing no harm intended or being negative just adding another perspective on it

No negative perceived or intended, I was just bringing to the fore front that Robert was comparing the advantages and disadvantages of hiring or not hiring a guide.

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

bapabear wrote:

It would be nice, but the feds do not have that authority as the regulations for fishing and hunting are under state control, except fish that fall under treaty with other countries. Even then the quota and access are controlled by individual states.

Bapa... what r u doing up, r u nutz like me & can't sleep until your brain will shut off ? Anyway, I didn't suggest the Feds do this, maybe I didn't make that sufficiently clear. The individual states, in my view, could show some respect to our servicepeople and pick up the tab. After all , everyone benefits from National Defense. And some states offer a reduced or free license fee. Those that don't, shame on them.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

nutz4fish wrote:

Bapa... what r u doing up, r u nutz like me & can't sleep until your brain will shut off ? Anyway, I didn't suggest the Feds do this, maybe I didn't make that sufficiently clear. The individual states, in my view, could show some respect to our servicepeople and pick up the tab. After all , everyone benefits from National Defense. And some states offer a reduced or free license fee. Those that don't, shame on them.

It is only 9:30 p.m. here.
Gratuities from the general public are nice, but should not be expected. I and my brothers did not sign up with the army and serve our time in Vietnam for a cheap fishing license, nor did I expect one when I was retired with a permanent line of duty disability as an Alaskan Police officer. Getting old is just part of life. I would be more impressed if I had not been treated as trash when I came home. The past is the past and can't be fixed. At this time, I would just be happy with what we were promised in the way of VA benefits. Any more is just a gratuity.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

nutz4fish wrote:

Bapa... what r u doing up, r u nutz like me & can't sleep until your brain will shut off ? Anyway, I didn't suggest the Feds do this, maybe I didn't make that sufficiently clear. The individual states, in my view, could show some respect to our servicepeople and pick up the tab. After all , everyone benefits from National Defense. And some states offer a reduced or free license fee. Those that don't, shame on them.

nutze4fish, I truly apologize for attaching my response to you. It should have gone to Barnacle's post regarding a federal license. My bad

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

bapabear wrote:

nutze4fish, I truly apologize for attaching my response to you. It should have gone to Barnacle's post regarding a federal license. My bad

bapa.... And my reply about insomnia was way outta line. Didn't remember to check time zone differential so please, a thousand pardons. I served '69 to '71, but not to get any gifts from Uncle Sam, it was just expected of a young man to sign up for the draft, and report when selected. I got picked off for another assignment on my way to Danang because of my MOS & civilian work experience, and got detoured to Okinawa & Japan billets, so I was lucky to avoid the **** you guys had to endure. In spite of that, and with no salad on my uniform I still got spit on in an airport. Broke a personal rule for that one time and never again, slapped that girl in the face. Still rergret it today, 50 years later, but I just wanted to be left alone and get back to my home and my other life.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

nutz4fish wrote:

bapa.... And my reply about insomnia was way outta... (show quote)

I fully understand. Just an FYI, I put off my collage until I got home and enlisted. It's just the way things were done in my world. My dad was a master sergeant lifer. And as far as your insomnia comment. I took it as humor. A lot of people think I am nutz like you regardless of the time of day. LOL Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend. I hope you find some good fishing somewhere before spring. P.S. I was in from 68 to 71.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

bapabear wrote:

It would be nice, but the feds do not have that authority as the regulations for fishing and hunting are under state control, except fish that fall under treaty with other countries. Even then the quota and access are controlled by individual states.

You raise a good point. An alternative might be if the various states had a reciprocal agreement to honor each others' licenses, similar to what just a few states do about concealed carry.

Of course even if we had that, greedy control-freak states like California would just attach surcharges for fishing in fresh water, fishing in salt water, specific species, etc, etc, etc.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Robert J Samples wrote:

May I suggest that if you are new at fishing and cannot decide whether to hire a professional guide for fishing or go it alone and fumble around for years before you are at least minimally successful, it might be useful to do this exercise?

Now we want to be as careful as possible and do an apples-to-apples comparison. Anything else is a waste of your time.

Half Day with a guide: $350 to $400, what does this bring to the table? You may not realize this but today, guides share information as to what, when, and the lures that worked. You also do not have to have any tackle; they will furnish it. Also, in many states, the licensed guide has you covered so you do not have to buy a fishing license. Do you have that kind of connection? I doubt it, especially if you are travelling a lot of miles to fish in a different part of the country.

What else does the fee pay for? Most guides had the latest in outboards motors and boats. They not only are attuned to where the fish are, what they are biting, and such. Also, when you get back with your catch, they will clean those fish for you. In most cases, if the guide’s boat breaks down, or you are rained out, you don’t have to pay. If you are a novice and haven’t much experience, he will help and teach you how to be a better fisherman.

Moreover, you can ask 1,001 questions and most guides are more than willing to give you good information about the lake or waters you are now on, and others that he has experience with. This information comes with the package, so ask questions. I have never had a guide that didn’t enjoy helping and answering your questions. He wants you to have a good time, catch fish and come back!

Contra to this scenario, you decide to go it alone, even if you have your own boat. You are obliged to pay any ramp fees, buy your own bait, or use your own lures, which may, or may not be suitable for the lake you are fishing on. You buy your own gas if you have a boat. Your likelihood of catching a limit of the fish you are after is a minimum, and could easily be a skunk trip, especially if you aren’t familiar with the lake.

I would speculate that you will spend three to five years gaining enough experience to just equal a single trip with an experienced guide. I would project that some will get frustrated and just give up on fishing when they go it alone. For those who persevere, it is a long trail with a lot of frustrations until you are consistently catching fish, if you ever get there.

I don’t mean to belittle your effort, it is just that I’ve been there, and done that, you are going to pay the price, either with a guide or on your own with a lot of years trying to claw your way up.

There is a saying and I believe it, 20% of the fishermen catch 80% of the fish. So where does that leave all the rookies? Feel free to challenge me, contradict me, or add any comments you wish. I believe in the main, I am correct on this question. Catching fish isn’t easy, and if your goal is catching, your best bet is to hire a guide so you can leap higher on the learning curve. Just Sayin…RJS
‘

May I suggest that if you are new at fishing and c... (show quote)

Very good advice Robert. I have used them a few times.

Passingbye Loc: Reidsville NC

Robert J Samples wrote:

May I suggest that if you are new at fishing and cannot decide whether to hire a professional guide for fishing or go it alone and fumble around for years before you are at least minimally successful, it might be useful to do this exercise?

Now we want to be as careful as possible and do an apples-to-apples comparison. Anything else is a waste of your time.

Half Day with a guide: $350 to $400, what does this bring to the table? You may not realize this but today, guides share information as to what, when, and the lures that worked. You also do not have to have any tackle; they will furnish it. Also, in many states, the licensed guide has you covered so you do not have to buy a fishing license. Do you have that kind of connection? I doubt it, especially if you are travelling a lot of miles to fish in a different part of the country.

What else does the fee pay for? Most guides had the latest in outboards motors and boats. They not only are attuned to where the fish are, what they are biting, and such. Also, when you get back with your catch, they will clean those fish for you. In most cases, if the guide’s boat breaks down, or you are rained out, you don’t have to pay. If you are a novice and haven’t much experience, he will help and teach you how to be a better fisherman.

Moreover, you can ask 1,001 questions and most guides are more than willing to give you good information about the lake or waters you are now on, and others that he has experience with. This information comes with the package, so ask questions. I have never had a guide that didn’t enjoy helping and answering your questions. He wants you to have a good time, catch fish and come back!

Contra to this scenario, you decide to go it alone, even if you have your own boat. You are obliged to pay any ramp fees, buy your own bait, or use your own lures, which may, or may not be suitable for the lake you are fishing on. You buy your own gas if you have a boat. Your likelihood of catching a limit of the fish you are after is a minimum, and could easily be a skunk trip, especially if you aren’t familiar with the lake.

I would speculate that you will spend three to five years gaining enough experience to just equal a single trip with an experienced guide. I would project that some will get frustrated and just give up on fishing when they go it alone. For those who persevere, it is a long trail with a lot of frustrations until you are consistently catching fish, if you ever get there.

I don’t mean to belittle your effort, it is just that I’ve been there, and done that, you are going to pay the price, either with a guide or on your own with a lot of years trying to claw your way up.

There is a saying and I believe it, 20% of the fishermen catch 80% of the fish. So where does that leave all the rookies? Feel free to challenge me, contradict me, or add any comments you wish. I believe in the main, I am correct on this question. Catching fish isn’t easy, and if your goal is catching, your best bet is to hire a guide so you can leap higher on the learning curve. Just Sayin…RJS
‘

May I suggest that if you are new at fishing and c... (show quote)

While I've been fishing for 55+ year's fishing everything from private pond's, creeks, river's, small a huge lake's such as Lake Texoma. I know how to cast a net for shad, bluegill for my bait. When I moved from Texas to North Carolina I found the fishing climate was pretty similar and I catch a lot of fish of which I target Crappies, 3 species of catfish and striped hybrid Bass. I think hiring and fishing guide is fine if you don't have a boat and don't have experience to fish a certain area or certain species of fish all the basic understandings of it. But heck that's what Grandpa's are for to teach them the basics of fishing, equipment you need and the structure in the water has a lot to do with what fish like hang out in and how things change with the Season, spawn etc.