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Fishing Guide vs Doing It Yourself!
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Nov 23, 2022 10:41:24   #
Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas
 
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

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Nov 23, 2022 11:16:48   #
ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN
 
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)


I completely agree RJS although I understand not everyone has $350 for four hours with a guide. Some of you were nice enough to help my friend Bear secure a guide with donations and in May of this year we made it happen. We got a ton of info from the guide and had a great morning catching fish. He would have taken us fishing anywhere we wanted to go but filled us in on the French Broad River and why he fished rivers versus the local lakes. We had a great time on a beautiful day. Now that I have a boat, I'll have to learn the locations and cover the costs myself. Here's a pic I ran before of my buddy Bear that day.





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Nov 23, 2022 11:17:35   #
OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin
 
Great advice for those curious, or the beginners Robert!

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Nov 23, 2022 11:28:12   #
smitty Loc: maine
 
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)


amen bro

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Nov 23, 2022 11:33:50   #
Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas
 
Hey! Guys and Gals: I did not mean to tell you that you continue on forever. Usually, one trip with a guide is enough for you to get well up on the learning curve to then do it on your own. Of course, if you can afford it, and going to some waters you aren't familiar with, A guide will make hiring him worth it.

Yes, on occasion you will get skunked even with a guide, but that is seldom, in my opinion. Just Sayin..RJS

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Nov 23, 2022 12:28:31   #
DC Loc: Washington state
 
well your whole argument is predicated on the assumption that the person has the $350 + to spend on a guide. for some a hand me down rod and reel and a few freshly dug worms is all they can afford and they just want to spend time relaxing out by a pond or river trying their luck catching a fish or two. It may not even be about becoming a top 20% but getting away and having an inexpensive fun day that they can afford

Reply
Nov 23, 2022 14:05:29   #
EZ Fishing Loc: College Ward, Utah
 
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)


Great one Robert. Thanks

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Nov 23, 2022 16:02:39   #
Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas
 
DC wrote:
well your whole argument is predicated on the assumption that the person has the $350 + to spend on a guide. for some a hand me down rod and reel and a few freshly dug worms is all they can afford and they just want to spend time relaxing out by a pond or river trying their luck catching a fish or two. It may not even be about becoming a top 20% but getting away and having an inexpensive fun day that they can afford


You are correct! Not every one can afford fishing with a guide. I was speaking to those who can afford either! There were times early on when I could not spend that kind of money for a guide to take me fishing. Just Sayin...RJS

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Nov 23, 2022 17:09:55   #
fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)
 
Robert...I completely agree with your line of logic with this topic. Even though we ourselves may possess considerable skills when it comes to catching fish, there are times when a guide definitely pays off! We are probably the most comfortable when in our own "home/local waters" and have a lesser need, but with unfamiliar waters and travelling to new surroundings...the situation changes.

I will admit that I am a cheapskate when it comes to shelling out dollars for recreation, so a guide for me is definitely a luxury that would be considered a real treat. My goal while fishing is more about enjoying Nature than actually catching anything, but it certainly adds extra enjoyment to catch fish!

A case in point was a time that my father and I wanted to experience some fast action muskie fishing that very likely we would not accomplish on our own. Booked a half day charter, and caught muskie until our arms were sore...averaging approximately one fish every 10 minutes being brought on the boat. A couple of my BIL's joined us and had a supreme thrill as well. We made memories to last a lifetime on that trip! It was akin to catching bluegills from a farm pond in terms of frequency!

The smile on my father's face is priceless!
The smile on my father's face is priceless!...

We caught and released over 20 muskie during our "lines in time" on a morning troll. The smallest ones were 3 footers, and the largest ended up at 52" with plenty in the low to mid 40 range.
We caught and released over 20 muskie during our "...

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Nov 23, 2022 19:09:54   #
Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas
 
Amazing pictures! Yes, a guide and the expense isn't for everyone. You have to decide, but this is an excellant incentive to work hard, make more so you can enjoy what you've earned, fishing!
I could never have fished Mexico, Brazil, Porto Rio, Costa Rica, without earning the higher pay! Just Sayin...RJS

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Nov 24, 2022 14:38:30   #
bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington
 
DC wrote:
well your whole argument is predicated on the assumption that the person has the $350 + to spend on a guide. for some a hand me down rod and reel and a few freshly dug worms is all they can afford and they just want to spend time relaxing out by a pond or river trying their luck catching a fish or two. It may not even be about becoming a top 20% but getting away and having an inexpensive fun day that they can afford


Exactly. Robert specifically states "if you are new at fishing and cannot decide whether to hire a professional guide for fishing or go it alone" pretty much makes it clear he is referring to those who can, if they wish to, hire a guide and those that want to improve their ability. That makes it clear he is not directing his comments to those who can not afford a guide or those that don't care about being in the top 20%. If you look for the positive in others, you will usually find it. Happy thanksgiving.

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Nov 24, 2022 14:45:37   #
bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington
 
Robert, I can not agree with you more. It makes even more sense if you travel, spending money on lodging, food and gas, not to mention what you need in equipment for your trip to a new area or target fish and fishing you are not familiar with. The cost of a guide will usually save money on a multi day drip and turn a very expensive trip into a success.

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Nov 24, 2022 18:29:27   #
Barnacles Loc: Northern California
 
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!

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Nov 24, 2022 18:59:39   #
Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas
 
Well, it is only for those who can afford it. Also, travel to some foreign place to fish for an exotic species is also expensive and cannot even be considered unless you can afford it.

So, work hard and earn more, but do not shortchange your wife of some of her pleasures too. Just Sayin..RJS

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Nov 24, 2022 22:49:48   #
DC Loc: Washington state
 
bapabear wrote:
Exactly. Robert specifically states "if you are new at fishing and cannot decide whether to hire a professional guide for fishing or go it alone" pretty much makes it clear he is referring to those who can, if they wish to, hire a guide and those that want to improve their ability. That makes it clear he is not directing his comments to those who can not afford a guide or those that don't care about being in the top 20%. If you look for the positive in others, you will usually find it. Happy thanksgiving.
Exactly. Robert specifically states "if you ... (show quote)


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

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