For anglers looking to turn their hobby into a career, one of the easiest routes is through becoming a fishing guide. Simply put, a fishing guide brings paying customers, clients, out on the water and helps them catch fish. In many situations, the guide supplies the boat, all equipment, fuel, bait, fish cleaning and packaging and will often arrange transportation for the anglers to and from the water. Offering guiding as a service is one of the quickest and most efficient ways to begin making money in the fishing industry.
While being a pro staff or sponsored angler can result in discounted products or possibly even a certain amount of money to put to expenses, guiding allows anglers to offer a service that will ultimately make them a substantial income. While the allure of the big prize in tournament fishing may seem tantalizing for anglers looking to turn a profit, this money is not guaranteed and when considering the expense of entry fees, travel, lodging, food and equipment, turning a profit can become quite difficult in a hurry.
Guiding allows anglers to stay close to home and minimize their travel and lodging expenses. This is also a guaranteed income, meaning when setting out on the water with a group of clients they know they will be paid, while a tournament angler can not guarantee a paycheck at takeoff. When evaluating all the factors, for anglers looking to make fishing their full-time or even part-time job guiding is the best route.
Anglers looking to begin their guiding career will often find it can be more challenging than they first expected. Anglers who can consistently catch their limit on their own or fishing with family and friends can struggle to put a limit in the box with clients. Guiding takes hard work and dedication, but there are plenty of tips to help you get started and find success faster!
It’s Not All About the Limit, But Catching Fish is Important
There are never guarantees in fishing, you are competing against Mother Nature and her creatures in an environment that is completely different than the one you live in. The weather patterns, forage abundance, water levels and current speed and a variety of other factors can make fish eager to bite or turn their nose up at any offering. You can never guarantee your clients you are going to catch a limit, but dismissing the need to catch fish is a mistake as well.
First and foremost, the vast majority of anglers who hire a guide are looking for a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience. A limit of fish is an afterthought for most, but catching fish is always more fun than staring at the water. Always do your best to make the trip as enjoyable as possible, when the fish are biting this is easy. When fishing is tough, always keep a positive attitude. Be honest about the bite and when you do hook up, celebrate a little bit more.
Other anglers book a guided trip looking to learn a new waterbody or new technique and are willing to catch fewer fish to try different areas and different techniques. However, there are other anglers who book a trip and plan to catch their limit and/or trophy caliber fish. Again, while there are no guarantees in fishing, catching fish is still crucial. Guides who are able to blend education, excitement and fish catching together often prove to be the most successful.
Read Your Group
As mentioned above, there are several reasons an angler may look to book a guide trip. However, they may not always outline exactly what their motives are when scheduling or even out on the water. A successful guide will read their group’s motivations and interests and cater the trip to their desires. Fortunately, there are certain signs a guide can read to help make their trip a success.
Relaxation/Enjoyment: These anglers book a guide trip to enjoy a day on the water. They likely don’t own a boat and are casual anglers, but enjoy catching fish and spending time with their friends or family in the process. A limit is not the most important thing, but rather a good time. That being said, catching fish sure helps make for a great time!
These anglers may bring alcoholic beverages on the boat (where legal) and are often well equipped with snacks and lunches to get through the day. Playful ribbing when their fellow angler misses a fish or catches a small one is common and joking is common. As you get to know these anglers, you’ll often find yourself involved on both sides of the playful jabbing!
Education/Learning: These anglers book a guide trip to learn a new waterbody, a new technique or just spend time with an expert. That expert is you! These are often more experienced anglers so they understand the bite can be tough, but at the same time they also know if you are putting them in the right spot to succeed. They may also ask to try a certain technique or location, if you’re prepared to do that, certainly be willing to give it a try, the anglers will understand if it’s not successful!
These anglers may ask if they can bring a certain rod with them, but they are often easily identified by the number and types of questions they ask. You’ll be able to recognize their angling knowledge based on these questions and they’re often looking to share their angling stories with you as well. Answer their questions and offer tips and tricks throughout the day, you’ll find the trip will be enjoyable and you may pick up a piece of advice or tip from them too!
Prefish and Practice as Often as Possible
When you aren’t guiding, whenever you can you want to be on the water. This includes prefishing new areas or trying new tactics. Successful guides are able to catch fish in numerous locations on a variety of tactics as a season goes on. Bottom bouncing, trolling crankbaits, Lindy rigging and vertical jigging are often some of the easiest techniques for guides to deploy with clients. You’ll want to be comfortable and proficient with all of these techniques and be able to pitch jigs and cast crankbaits if the group prefers to as well.
Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of areas to fish. A good rule of thumb is if you’re out on your own, never fish areas you normally do. This is the time to explore and experiment, if they bust that’s ok. If you find a new go-to spot, that makes all the busts worth it. The ability to have multiple bites and areas to target will often salvage a day if your normal locations are not producing.
Be Willing to Travel to Find the Best Bite
While traveling great distances is not often what the clients would prefer or what your budget prefer, sometimes in tough bites this is necessary. Be willing to drive up to an hour in the vehicle or on the boat with your clients to find the best bite. Struggling on your local spots while a good bite takes place 40 minutes up the road is no fun for you or your group, always be willing to go to the best bite.
If you are going to be driving a good distance in the vehicle, have transportation for your clients. Many of them have already done a significant amount of traveling to get you to, there is no need for them to do more. A large truck or SUV is critical for guides to be able to transport their clients to and from the water, especially when going a considerable distance.
Always Put Safety a Priority
No matter how the bite goes, returning to the dock safely at the end of the day needs to always be a priority. Your clients are trusting you to keep them safe on the water, guide boats need to be the most cautious and careful vessels on the water. If weather is on the way, stay close to the dock or stay ahead of the storm.
You are always in control of the boat when it comes to safety decisions. If you are worried about waves, lightning or other potential dangers, it is your job and your job alone to make those decisions. Always check the weather before a trip and brief your clients if you think weather may be a concern. If service makes it possible, check the forecast every few hours. Be prepared, have a plan and when your gut says it’s time to head in, head in!
Being a successful guide takes more than just being a good angler. Top guides are highly versatile anglers and can find success on a variety of waterbodies, with a variety of tactics all season long. They also have excellent people and communication skills, being able to read their group and tailor their experience to their desires. They also always keep safety at the top of mind and ensure they safely get their clients back to their lodging at the end of the day. Incorporating and understanding the above tips will help you on your path to becoming a successful fishing guide!
