Originally Posted by
wicklundrh
Guiding goes a couple of different ways.
1.) You are taking a person or group of people out for a specific time to target fish (usually specific fish). Something they normally don't get to do.
2.) You are "guiding" them into learning tips, tricks, tactics, what places to look for, where to look, and so on. You are teaching.
When guiding in Lake Michigan, all of our clients were in the above two catagories. They would say upfront "we are looking to learn how to put more fish in the box". They want to know what to look for, where to go on what wind conditions, what to fish with, what depth and so on...... You do your very best in the timeframe you have to show them as much as you know to "help" them. Many of these people never had successful individuals take them out before. At times, you give them locations to go (if they ask). Many guides would rather do this as opposed to having 15 boats following their every move. It makes it tough when you run 20 rods out your boat with some as long as 500 yards. I would rather avoid a tangle and show them where to go or how to work with others.
As for anyone owning a lake or a spot.... that is true however, you have to remember that these people work hard to find fish. Some people always take the easy road and perform "binnocular scouting". Instead of letting them do the work.... why not ask them "why" they are fishing a spot. I'm not sure about others, but I fish for the challenge of finding the fish, learning how to interprit the weather and wind, the tempurature changes. Yes, I enjoy catching fish, but I enjoy the chase..... I like to hunt too. Wouldn't be near as much fun if someone tied a deer to a pole on my farm and then showed me exactly where to go to find it.
I've had many people NOT hire me to guide yet come up to me at my dock, strike up a conversation and ask questions. I am always eager to share. I worked on word of mouth. It is always nice to hear a thank you on the radio later on when your tips, tricks and advice helped that person bag a fish of a lifetime.
Lastly, I have several friends that still guide (I do not anymore). This last spring, many of them removed ALL stickers, decals, and association from their boats. The reason was simple.... Binnocular scouting was taking a toll on locations that they worked very very hard to find. We work on a "no fish, no pay" system sometimes. Those pre fished environments can be crucial to your business. Your right, no one owns a spot.. however, would you go there if you didn't see someone else there?
Great Thread. Best advice, just ask... even if you are not a paying customer, more than likely anyone who is a "true fisherman" will put that before being a guide and will be more than happy to help you out.