Need Opinions on Guiding

[smoothlures]

I'm considering becoming a full time charter captain on my home lake of Wateree for catfish, striper, and crappie...I've been fishing it since I was in training pants...

First of all do you think there is enough business available on Wateree alone or would a guide have to fish other lakes? A quick search finds just a few guides on Wateree and I'm not sure why.

Anyone been a guide? Is it worth it? I'm young and love to fish.

What kind of boat should I be looking at...pontoon, bass boats, bay boats?...wouldn't mind something that could go out of Murrells Inlet nearshore on calm days as well.

Now I know you guys have plenty of opinions so let me hear 'em.

[ofishlbizzness]

I would say go for it if that is what you want. But I would try it part time before giving up another stable job just to fish. I t can be fun but it is also a headache some times. Think of all the morons with their favorite beverages or some one that has never fished before. And how weather will effect your fishing trips. Lot of things to think about when dealing with the public for sure . Good Luck.

[MThook]

From what I've seen it's not a get rich quick scheme. Think about what you bring to the job tackle, bait wear and tear on equipment, fuel, all the normal plus extra wear from the morons renting you for the day.
I'm not a guide, however I did take out 3 Wounded warriors for a trip, I ran myself to death trying to keep up. I know if I did it a lot I'd be better at it but boy was I beat.
It seems guides charge $250-$400 for a day. Start adding up your costs and make a decision

[BAMA S]

Start out part time. I did and found it was not worth the headache everybody tries to beat you down on price. You need 3-400 hundred a day for it to be worth your time.

[BAMA S]

I wouldn't go out and buy a boat. But a bay boat works nice for guiding.

[Eatmorecrappie]

Why don't you talk to Monk on NC board. I think he used to guide on Wateree.

[gabowman]

One guide told me that he never gets to fish anymore...it's aways his clients doing the fishing. Imagine...a 30 lb striper hits a rod and you get the rod out of a holder....and hand it to somebody that doesnt even know which way to turn the reel and he looses the fish. Bummer!

Again....fishing is tough for the day and you are obligated to stay out all day regardless. (Not for me!) You have a bad day with not many fish. Do you still charge full price? Rain check...meaning free trip later on?

All of a sudden you dont have many clients so you "forget" to pay your taxes along with your social security. And this happens alot and years down the road youre 62 with nothing to draw to live on. Oh well..."Welcome Walmart Customers!"

Did I mention insurance? Wow! That's a biggie! Right now I think youre looking at $500 per person per month in your familty if youre buying downtown. (Yea...you can find ins. cheaper but it doesnt pay for anything.)

Take a few folks out for a fishing trip, charge them, see if that satisfies you. Gradually work you way into guiding and see if it's for you. Enjoy.

[Speir Fishing]

This is my blue print thus far, I'm a full time guide in the spring and summer, will it work for you? I don't know, it works for me.

I know more than a few other guides, a couple are wealthy due to family or injury (lawsuit) they are retired from a good job or live in a camper at the marina....

The way I see it, to be young (I'm 32) and live in a decent house with a decent piece of land, not have a rich relative leave you their riches and have a nice enough boat to guide out of you need a profitable way to pay your bills.

Start a successful business, hire guys that pass muster, drug tests and are 100% reliable, pay them better than they can make elsewhere. Treat every single customer as they were you own family, build a reputation as being a 100% straight shooter and a master at your craft.

Take a few years pouring your heart and soul into this business, then when it can run without you there 100% of the time run a few fishing trips, when you get good and build a clientele run a few more. Be prepared to drop the guide service at a moments notice to fill in for a guy or train a new guy when one quits.

Even then you should think of it more as a tax right off for your main business, that is if your lawyer does your articles of incorporation correctly, than a way to make a living, at least in the beginning. Your accountant will play a huge role also.

Before you spend this huge wad on boats, motors, and gear make sure your personal life is up to snuff financially, I know mine wasn't when I was younger.

How good a boat mechanic are you? Unless you can stay in a late model boat with a late model motor you'll need to be a pretty dang good one, while on the water, with clients watching your every move.

Good luck, its a lot harder than anyone gives it credit for and you need to love people as much as you love to fish.

Ryan, Home

[whiskerwhipper]

Smoothlures, I'll be happy to be your first guinea pig.

[smoothlures]

Hey thanks everyone, it's a long term thing, not going to run out and get loans, but it's my dream job for sure... Always interested in opinions if anyone else has anything to chime in!