Guiding as a business
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6.54BASS
- Posts: 166
- Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2002 4:00 pm
Guiding as a business
Hi Folks, Here's a question, how many of you guide for a living/part time income and how did you get started? What are some of the positive and negative aspects you have encountered? I am currently studying for the Coast Guard test with intentions on guiding for an income type business and would like any information you can provide.
Bryan Hinton
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johnnie crain outdoors
- Posts: 1504
- Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2002 5:00 pm
Guiding as a business
Bryan,
I've never done any guiding, but just wanted to wish you luck and hope it works out. I know you'll meet a lot of interesting anglers. I have been told that here in Iowa, the guide has to carry so much insurance that you can't turn a profit. Don't know for sure though. Anyway, go for your dreams-always. Johnnie
I've never done any guiding, but just wanted to wish you luck and hope it works out. I know you'll meet a lot of interesting anglers. I have been told that here in Iowa, the guide has to carry so much insurance that you can't turn a profit. Don't know for sure though. Anyway, go for your dreams-always. Johnnie
Johnnie Crain
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Don House
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2002 5:00 pm
Guiding as a business
Bryan, First of all Good Luck, I really hope this works out for you it is my dream also..
And also the USCC test well lets just say it not real easy doing it on your own.. My very close friend Capt. Rick La Point has one of the best guide services I have ever seen (www.strikebass.com). I do part time (Weekend)trips for him on Table Rock, right now and plan to move down there in 3-5 years and guide full time... I'll make around 250 per day for two people. But after paying expenses such as gas, tackle, insurance and up keep on boat I end out about 175 - 200 per day plus tips.. Tips well depends on the day of fishing, good day I have had 75.00 tips, bad days well let just say I was glad when it was over... But we have a catch fish or you trip is free clause with every customer.. Let me tell you, you learn to find fish real fast like this.. I have had to find 4-5 year round spots for fish and I have not been skunked yet!!!
One day on the water will go as follows, day starts around 4:00am, meet customer around 5:00am for Breakfast then on the water by 6:00 - 6:30 fish until 3:00pm or so.. If we are on good fish we will stay out for a few extra hours, so by 5:00pm I will drop off customer go into town fill up the boat with gas and oil, then go home and setup tackle for the next day once all of that is done, then it is time for bed by 10:00pm and the next day starts all over again, by the end of a two trip I'm worn out!!..
As long as you enjoy company of others and love to teach other this sport you will love it!! It is almost like a drug to me I just love to watch customers catch fish, it really pay's off for all of the work you have to put into it..
Bottom line is if things go well, you can make in the mid 30's full time. I also will look at guiding for trout during the winter months just to keep going. We also fish just about every tournament on Table rock that we can for extra income. So if you are going into this for the life long dream of fishing full time and money well that is second in command this is your job!!!
Oh ya, don't forget about your sponcers, finding new business, and boats shows, sports shows, ect.. That takes just about your whole winter just trying to find new customers and sponcers for the next year to come...
Really I can't wait to do this full time myself, It is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Don't give up!!!
Good Fishing
EAT SLEEP FISH
And also the USCC test well lets just say it not real easy doing it on your own.. My very close friend Capt. Rick La Point has one of the best guide services I have ever seen (www.strikebass.com). I do part time (Weekend)trips for him on Table Rock, right now and plan to move down there in 3-5 years and guide full time... I'll make around 250 per day for two people. But after paying expenses such as gas, tackle, insurance and up keep on boat I end out about 175 - 200 per day plus tips.. Tips well depends on the day of fishing, good day I have had 75.00 tips, bad days well let just say I was glad when it was over... But we have a catch fish or you trip is free clause with every customer.. Let me tell you, you learn to find fish real fast like this.. I have had to find 4-5 year round spots for fish and I have not been skunked yet!!!
One day on the water will go as follows, day starts around 4:00am, meet customer around 5:00am for Breakfast then on the water by 6:00 - 6:30 fish until 3:00pm or so.. If we are on good fish we will stay out for a few extra hours, so by 5:00pm I will drop off customer go into town fill up the boat with gas and oil, then go home and setup tackle for the next day once all of that is done, then it is time for bed by 10:00pm and the next day starts all over again, by the end of a two trip I'm worn out!!..
As long as you enjoy company of others and love to teach other this sport you will love it!! It is almost like a drug to me I just love to watch customers catch fish, it really pay's off for all of the work you have to put into it..
Bottom line is if things go well, you can make in the mid 30's full time. I also will look at guiding for trout during the winter months just to keep going. We also fish just about every tournament on Table rock that we can for extra income. So if you are going into this for the life long dream of fishing full time and money well that is second in command this is your job!!!
Oh ya, don't forget about your sponcers, finding new business, and boats shows, sports shows, ect.. That takes just about your whole winter just trying to find new customers and sponcers for the next year to come...
Really I can't wait to do this full time myself, It is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Don't give up!!!
Good Fishing
EAT SLEEP FISH
Don House
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6.54BASS
- Posts: 166
- Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2002 4:00 pm
Guiding as a business
Johnnie and Don, thanks for the replies! My plan is to retire from my first job in the next two years and then look at a fishing job from there.
Don, I have a couple of friends that guide on Table Rock and other area lakes, one is full time and the other two do it part time. In addition to, like you said, fish most of the tournaments they can as well.
I did check on Nebraska, they don't require any licensing, but I still don't know about the insurance side of it yet.
Again, thanks for the input!
Don, I have a couple of friends that guide on Table Rock and other area lakes, one is full time and the other two do it part time. In addition to, like you said, fish most of the tournaments they can as well.
I did check on Nebraska, they don't require any licensing, but I still don't know about the insurance side of it yet.
Again, thanks for the input!
Bryan Hinton
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Dennis Bligh Jr
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 4:00 pm
Guiding as a business
Hey Brian, where did you find the info for taking to USCG test? I have searched hi and low but cant find anything. During the season I work at a tackle shop, irrigation, and fish about a thousand tournaments. I'd like to trade in irrigation for a part time guiding gig as well.If I come up with any additional info that might help you out I'll post it here.
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6.54BASS
- Posts: 166
- Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2002 4:00 pm
Guiding as a business
Dennis, go to one of the on-line book stores (Barnes and Noble had the best price I could find) and get the book "Get your captains license, the complete study guide", it has everything you need including where and who to contact to take the test. The book is not cheap, I think mine cost about $60.00, but it has a CD-ROM, forms, applications, etc. I found the info thanks to Steve Belloit and Eric Prey (Nitro Pro Staffers and Table Rock guides). The one I have is the third edition. You can get it used for cheaper, but used can be just that, used. If you have any questions about it, shoot me an email, I will be more than happy to help.
Bryan Hinton