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Location: varies | what do guides do in the off season for income ? I was calculating incomes based on rates x days x months (season) and while it looks like a decent number, after factoring in the fancy boat cost, all the gear (expense) and income taxes. It really is a meager living it seems.  |
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Posts: 1084
Location: Aurora | "The guiding business is a cruel and shallow weed-lined money trench, a long HI-impact plastic hallway where chat board members talk smart & predator rod owners run free, and 4 strokes die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
~Musky Hunter S. Thompson~ |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Many of them have bait businesses, some work for places like Thornes in the offseason, some do some film and TV and seminars, some guide down south, but I only know a couple who do enough trips each year that guiding is their only source of income. |
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Posts: 1828
| They marry rich? |
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Posts: 719
| Make Bondy Baits...or live off the land man...and spend alot of time out in the cold so you stay acclimated and don't end up a wimp by spring. |
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Posts: 2058
| There's really only on way to have a million dollar's in your bank account if you are a full time muskie guide for 10 years (with no additional income)....... Start with 2 million 
Edited by IAJustin 12/3/2015 3:54 PM
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Posts: 20248
Location: oswego, il | Strip, waiter, barista, receptionist at heavenly massage, WalMart greeter, chimney sweep, blood doner, ant farmer. |
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Posts: 3156
| Mark my words,,,,,your going to see more of the single muskie guides going to saltwater either part time or maybe even full time. |
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Posts: 719
| Better off starting out poor, so you know down the road that you earned your success. I guess that goes with alot of small businesses. |
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Posts: 8823
| Welfare, unemployment, trying to get to know their (working) wives again so they don't get tossed out on their azzes... |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Self employed people aren't allowed to collect unemployment.
I think ToddM nailed it.......Again... Man He is so Wise.....!
Edited by Top H2O 12/3/2015 9:09 PM
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Posts: 315
| Marrying into money is always nice, however I didn't go that route. I am a high school science teacher. I also don't guide as often as your "full-timers", but I stay busy. It is nice to be able to fish as much as I want while still receiving a paycheck. Downfall = working during the best fishing.
Andy Hutter
apexpredatorfishing.com
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Posts: 213
Location: FIB land | Most guides do the shows , don't think there's money in that ... |
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Posts: 1084
Location: Aurora | Unless it's written into one of their sponsor contracts, they're marketing themselves, or they're booking trips.
Edited by Sidejack 12/4/2015 9:35 PM
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | They sharpen other people's hooks for $0.10/hook..... |
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| saw this metro guide at the snelling off ramp and I94 yesterday.
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Location: oswego, il | mnmusky - 12/5/2015 9:31 AM
saw this metro guide at the snelling off ramp and I94 yesterday.
Who is it? |
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Posts: 251
| A guide I spent some time with talked about working at the oil fields in Montana, North Dakota. Sounded pretty rough. |
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Posts: 200
Location: Twin Cities | One guy is a full time post office worker and most guys don't spend anything on their boats if they are smart |
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Posts: 49
| Sorry to jump in but I also would like to to find out how some of you can afford a 50 60k rigs, buy newest equipment like toro beasts and still have time to fish. I work my but off earning ok money for Chicago standards, and even when I used to drive semis, and making decent money, I wasnt able to afford all the fun, like yearly trips to Lake of the woods etc. Especially when most of the time, the most expensive stuff is the only option for you guys. And the reason why Im asking is mainly after talking to a guide up in Vilas county which clearly stated that a lot of younger generation is moving to Chicago area for search of job oportunities.
Edited by szczochu 12/5/2015 6:38 PM
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Location: Waukesha, WI, USA | pistolpete314 - 12/5/2015 5:12 PM
One guy is a full time post office worker and most guys don't spend anything on their boats if they are smart
That's a 1/2 truth. Very very few "just guides" get free boats. But many make money by selling their rigs at the end of the season. The discounts they receive from boat, motor and electronics sponsorship can get them into low 5 figure profits. Sounds like easy money but gets old to most. Rigging electronics, detailing, taking out adds, ordering new boat, answering obnoxious questions and offers on boat...... I call it all sweat equity. Yea, we/they work the boat shows, but mostly for free paying back the above sponsors for the discounts. Not as lucrative as you believe.
Seems to be more and more shows every year that can keep a guy pretty busy if planned right. And then you can always go a couple of states south to extend your season. But I like the stripper idea best. |
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Location: Waukesha, WI, USA | szczochu - 12/5/2015 6:28 PM
Sorry to jump in but I also would like to to find out how some of you can afford a 50 60k rigs, buy newest equipment like toro beasts and still have time to fish. I work my but off earning ok money for Chicago standards, and even when I used to drive semis, and making decent money, I wasnt able to afford all the fun, like yearly trips to Lake of the woods etc. Especially when most of the time, the most expensive stuff is the only option for you guys. And the reason why Im asking is mainly after talking to a guide up in Vilas county which clearly stated that a lot of younger generation is moving to Chicago area for search of job oportunities.
Again, the answer is with sponsorship. If you are sponsored and have a good reputation and are with a good company(ies) you can be getting 40-60% discounts on rods, reels, electronics. Then there is the free stuff. You'll notice several having garage sales in the off season. Do it right and you can stay in new technology for nothing or close to it. |
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Posts: 49
| But Im not talking about guides. Just a an avarage Joe like me who enjoyes reading all the posts and wonderes how is it possible to catch 50+ fish a season and still make the ends meet. |
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Location: Waukesha, WI, USA | szczochu - 12/5/2015 6:59 PM
But Im not talking about guides. Just a an avarage Joe like me who enjoyes reading all the posts and wonderes how is it possible to catch 50+ fish a season and still make the ends meet.
No wife, no life...... Being obsessed |
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Posts: 49
| And Im not trying to bash anyone, Im sure anyone who visits this site would love to make this a full time job, but I just cant figure out how u guys do it. |
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Posts: 719
| I would say nobody gets a free boat. As in here is a boat. Even on the Bassmaster Elite tour, an extremely tiny number get a boat deal worth bragging about. The marine industry hasn't been in good enough shape since the early 90's. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | There's some memo-billing left out there for the top tier. No where near like it was, though. |
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Posts: 49
| Wow 3 replies within couple of minutes. Again not looking to start a fight but some of the posts seem to be out of reality. And sponsoring, what does it have to do with fishing. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | szczochu - 12/5/2015 7:10 PM
Wow 3 replies within couple of minutes. Again not looking to start a fight but some of the posts seem to be out of reality. And sponsoring, what does it have to do with fishing.
I think DS answered your question. If it's all you do for kicks you'll find a way to do it. But I don't understand what you feel is not reality? |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Seem to be out of reality? Like out of gas?
Sponsorship is alive and well in fishing promotion. |
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Posts: 49
| Again I was only wondering how its done. Its just that all the replies I got had a web address attached at the bottom and I dont think majority of fisherman have that. |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | Banks are more than happy to give loans for expensive boats. Stop by a dealership some time, the salesmen will explain how EVEN YOU can afford the boat of your dreams. |
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Posts: 49
| Yeah ill stick with my 1k rig and fish in my pond and still catch a muskie once in a while like any other guy that seeks some help and gets an answer that they can only be caught on $300 rods and reels. Keep it real. |
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Location: Waukesha, WI, USA | Dude,
You participate in a thread started about guides. So guides try to answer a few of the questions. Guides have web pages. No one on this thread tried selling you a $300 rod or reel. You have been the one NOT keeping it real and apparently looking for a fight for some reason. |
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Posts: 49
| Yeah sorry but I clearly stated and apologized to steel the topic, and no harm intended, was asking how you guys do what u do. And then when bashing started |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I am a heavily trained bash identification expert.
No one bashed anything here, actually. It was, however, a little confusing at times.
And, I am a guide. But the web addy you see in my signature is this joint. I like the place. |
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Posts: 49
| Topic done I guess. Didnt mean to offend anyone. Nothing else to say. |
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Posts: 49
| And I like the place too. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Easy to like, most days. |
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Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | I once saw SWORRAL on a street corner in Rhinelander, he was strumming an old beat up acoustic and selling pencils! Sidejack & ToddM nailed it........whatever it takes.
You want to see real $$$ investment become a saltwater/blue water captain/guide - yeah, start with the +2 million dollars thing!
Have fun!
Al |
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Location: Waukesha, WI, USA | I know plenty of saltwater folks. Call many friends. The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence for most. A lot more expenses involved. Unless you are just doing the bay or you are close to backwater spots you could have very high fuel costs. Boat slips are very expensive. The boats can be a very large expense. Those duel or even quad motors on the back aren't cheap. Don't get me wrong, some can do very well because of the extended season if they are in the right local. The guys I have envied the most were around the Venice area (minus oil spills and hurricanes). They have the right migration and resident fish. Great oil platform fishing close, deep water nearby, and they always have the redfish along shore or in the mighty Mississippi.
But from what I have seen, most have to capitalize on the migrations when they occur. Backwater fishing can be a different story if tourists just want to get out and catch something regardless of size or species. Or just take in the scenery.
Often wondered how well the head boats do in those areas. Charge $30-40 a head and take out 20-40 people. Then most anchor up on the closest reef for the 4 to 8 hours. May move once or twice close by. Sell 'em bait and charge for cleaning the small fish.
Someone mentioned about going south for the winter to work. Years ago I knew a couple of great Muskie guides who went south and cleaned fish all day for income. I didn't envy them one bit. The Muskie range has changed and there is always the option to guide in the southern range. Surprises me that more do not do this. If I were younger, I think that's what I would do. |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Some say it's a dream job. Well, it can be. But the days on the water and pay is ok for most single guys.
Try to raise a family and guide full time and within a couple years you will realize your dream job has taken over your life and lots of other stuff is put on the back burner. Like growing up with your kids and enjoying family life.
I for one got a full time job 7am to 3pm 40 hours a week. Guide from 5pm to 10pm after work weekdays and book most weekends. Now add in yard work and family functions with the kids like sports and you have zero extra time. That's a lot on a guides plate during fishing season.
Now it's almost the off season and my guide services take a back seat to snow and ice removal. Snowplowing is better money than guiding but it all depends on the weather each year and the size of your buisness.
Guiding can be very good money but for what you have to give up to be on the water every day makes it only ok money. Most guides that do this full time are not clearing $50-70K a season. This is after all the tax's and deductions. Maybe the top 10%. And they are giving everything they can to make that happen. Expecially in the "off season" where you got to keep your sponsorships and pro staffs supported. That is a lot of time and effort your not collecting checks for.
Dream job? Yes, but it comes with a price.
I for one would not give up my day job, insurance, 401k and other very important stuff to guide full time. Part time is the best ballance between dream job and quality life for me. Just the best of both worlds. |
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Location: oswego, il | I have heard some numbers that some of these guides make. It isn't alot. I heard one top guide lived, maybe still does in an ice shack in the summer. |
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Location: Waukesha, WI, USA | Well said Mike |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | What Dennis said. I was full time in the Summer and Fall for several years, coupled with a sales/promotional position with a few companies. The plan was to work full time in this industry in the 'self employed' category and eventually drop guiding back to a minimum, which worked for me. |
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Posts: 1039
| Mikes Extreme - 12/7/2015 8:40 AM
Some say it's a dream job. Well, it can be. But the days on the water and pay is ok for most single guys.
Try to raise a family and guide full time and within a couple years you will realize your dream job has taken over your life and lots of other stuff is put on the back burner. Like growing up with your kids and enjoying family life.
I for one got a full time job 7am to 3pm 40 hours a week. Guide from 5pm to 10pm after work weekdays and book most weekends. Now add in yard work and family functions with the kids like sports and you have zero extra time. That's a lot on a guides plate during fishing season.
Now it's almost the off season and my guide services take a back seat to snow and ice removal. Snowplowing is better money than guiding but it all depends on the weather each year and the size of your buisness.
Guiding can be very good money but for what you have to give up to be on the water every day makes it only ok money. Most guides that do this full time are not clearing $50-70K a season. This is after all the tax's and deductions. Maybe the top 10%. And they are giving everything they can to make that happen. Expecially in the "off season" where you got to keep your sponsorships and pro staffs supported. That is a lot of time and effort your not collecting checks for.
Dream job? Yes, but it comes with a price.
I for one would not give up my day job, insurance, 401k and other very important stuff to guide full time. Part time is the best ballance between dream job and quality life for me. Just the best of both worlds.
Take this as gospel. I know more than a couple guides. How Mike finds time to work his full time job, guide full time and balance the obligations of being a good father and husband is beyond me. There are only so many hours in the day.
Busiest man in Waukesha County. And one of the very best musky guides in the business. |
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Posts: 8823
| Thinking of the guides I know...
Some do guided hunts
Some do ice fishing trips
One has a Boat repair business
Several have their own line of lures
A few have TV Shows & Books to promote
The more famous guides travel around to musky clubs giving seminars
Then there's show season, which really only serves to take 4 months out of your life in exchange for a few bookings for next season
A lot of guys plow
One works on an oil rig
Quite a few work in restaurants/bars
Some own resorts that cater to winter sports
From what I've seen over the years, guiding is how they make ends meet during the summer, and once the season closes/water freezes, they are on to some other job or jobs, most of which pay a lot more.
I have to say, I've only known a handful of guides in my life who I would actually call "pretty well off". Most have several other income streams, businesses, resorts, and such. The rest come from wealthy families.
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Posts: 2058
| szczochu - 12/5/2015 6:59 PM
But Im not talking about guides. Just a an avarage Joe like me who enjoyes reading all the posts and wonderes how is it possible to catch 50+ fish a season and still make the ends meet.
I have my eye's open 120 hrs a week... 50 hrs a week I'm @ work... That leaves 70 hrs. a week for "life". To carve out 20 hrs a week to fish is not that difficult if its what you want to do. Catching 50+ muskie a year, for me gets easier every year - I like getting better at what I do... I'm married and spend a lot of time with my wife (she prefers sunbathing and reading over fishing but that's OK) -I don't have children but wish I did ... fishing and hunting fills a piece of "life" that my grandfather's instilled in me as a young lad. I don't think its hard to figure out. |
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Location: oswego, il | Not everyone's life is the same. Money, demands on your time at and away from work. Some people have more ideal situations. |
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Location: varies | Wait!... you mean life's not fair???? I may have to worker harder than some and still not achieve the same results? Aw man! Don't I get a participation trophy? And tell me I'm as good or better than everyone else?
Edited by rodbender 12/7/2015 1:25 PM
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Location: oswego, il | rodbender - 12/7/2015 1:24 PM
Wait!... you mean life's not fair???? I may have to worker harder than some and still not achieve the same results? Aw man! Don't I get a participation trophy? And tell me I'm as good or better than everyone else?
You get a ribbon and you can buy your own dam safety pin! |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | I found it SWORRAL in leaner guiding times. He had eveyone but me fooled, the same as many don't believe the "Hodag" is real, this is really him!
Have fun!
Al
(SWORRALL the lean guiding times.jpg)
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The tie is a dead giveaway... |
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Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | rodbender - 12/7/2015 1:24 PM
Wait!... you mean life's not fair???? I may have to worker harder than some and still not achieve the same results? Aw man! Don't I get a participation trophy? And tell me I'm as good or better than everyone else?
Nope, you suck.
Go sit down in the corner. |
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Posts: 2305
Location: SE, WI. | The wire from the guitar is now attached to a jig and creature That's how tough guiding is! JD |
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Location: oconomowoc, wi | szczochu - 12/5/2015 6:59 PM
But Im not talking about guides. Just a an avarage Joe like me who enjoyes reading all the posts and wonderes how is it possible to catch 50+ fish a season and still make the ends meet.
wife is obsessed about musky fishing as i am! problem solved! |
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Posts: 1084
Location: Aurora | ESOX Maniac - 12/8/2015 3:03 PM
I found it SWORRAL in leaner guiding times. He had eveyone but me fooled, the same as many don't believe the "Hodag" is real, this is really him!
Have fun!
Al
Leaner times my ass. That's a vintage Gibson dreadnought he's pretending to play!
~arms crossed, skeptical look~ |
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| Guiding is a dream job...period!! As for how...no two stories are the same. The bottom line is the guides I know, salt and fresh, do whatever they have to do make it work! It's a simple matter of hustle, values, priorities, goals and (in my case) pure luck! Same as everything else in life!! Every day I've ever spent on the water I experienced something that made all the bucket scrubbing and fish cleaning worth it!!! |
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| Sidejack - 12/8/2015 9:30 PM ESOX Maniac - 12/8/2015 3:03 PM I found it SWORRAL in leaner guiding times. He had eveyone but me fooled, the same as many don't believe the "Hodag" is real, this is really him! Have fun! Al Leaner times my ass. That's a vintage Gibson dreadnought he's pretending to play! ~arms crossed, skeptical look~ |
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Posts: 1149
Location: Minnesota. | mnmusky - 12/5/2015 9:31 AM
saw this metro guide at the snelling off ramp and I94 yesterday.
For a minute there I thought that wuz Babe Winkleman... |
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Posts: 67
| If you make your hobby into a job , ,,,,guess what , it's a job , You will never get rich as more and more clients expect the best gear and comforts available and that costs dollars , most of the successful guides also have very likeable personalities and find work in the off season not nesessarily related to the fishing industry. If you really want to be a Guide get all your certifications , insurance , gear and give up your free time and give it a go , you only live once ! |
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Posts: 719
| Guide is just another word for...first aid tech, meteorologist, motivational speaker, babysitter, comedian, mechanic, marriage counsellor, fish processor, historian, story teller, miracle worker, shaman, soothsayer, fool. |
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Location: varies | Bondy - 12/11/2015 7:47 PM
Guide is just another word for...first aid tech, meteorologist, motivational speaker, babysitter, comedian, mechanic, marriage counsellor, fish processor, historian, story teller, miracle worker, shaman, soothsayer, fool.
Jon, thanks for leaving out " lap dancer "! |
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| Maybe out in Cali that would be in the list.... |
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Posts: 146
Location: Alsip, IL | Out of curiosity what does a guides insurance cost? Would you get a discount if you were a licensed paramedic? |
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Location: varies | ^ some have waivers you sign. although, I have never been with a guide that does that. |
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Posts: 718
| Bondy is pretty close...it's really rewarding but a lot of effort to do it right.
Guide insurance runs about an extra $500 per year give or take a bit and you should have it if you are guiding as commonly "normal" boat insurance is invalid if you are guiding leaving you up the creek without...insurance. |
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Posts: 32922
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Best insurance out there for guides, tourney anglers, and anyone who runs any boat for rent or hire, is Worldwide Marine Insurance, Bob Luellen. I had a brake fire this year, and had to replace the entire axle. No questions beyond sending the images, claim paid quicker than I could get the trailer repaired, and they covered the trailer up to replacement cost. This is the agency the pros use, and for good reason. Full coverage for everything I do was about $375 a year.
http://worldwidemarineins.com/ |
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | sworrall - 12/13/2015 7:32 PM
Best insurance out there for guides, tourney anglers, and anyone who runs any boat for rent or hire, is Worldwide Marine Insurance, Bob Luellen. I had a brake fire this year, and had to replace the entire axle. No questions beyond sending the images, claim paid quicker than I could get the trailer repaired, and they covered the trailer up to replacement cost. This is the agency the pros use, and for good reason. Full coverage for everything I do was about $375 a year.
http://worldwidemarineins.com/
X2 he's the best in the business. |
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Posts: 1220
| I think I was really fortunate to learn some tough but priceless lessons as a young man. As a theater major at UW-Zero in my senior year, I asked the head of the department if she thought I had a future on the stage or film. She said, "You are not even the best guy in Oshkosh, the best guy here will never get past washing dishes!" I took her word and set off for a career in rodeo. Fortunately, I accepted reality there too after six months of no real winnings and injuries that still hurt. So, I went to work in the junkyard, certainly no "dream" but I raised my family well, coached my boys little league, daughter's softball and paid for all the college. Now, I take the time for me, fish all over in a really nice rig and live some folks kind of a dream. Not bragging about it, just saying I know a lot of guys who chased a dream and woke up in a nightmare, usually alone. Lots of the best FLW pros spend their off days golfing while the PGA guys go fishing. It probably pays to watch George Bailey, cuz he's out there this time of the year, a find you really had the wonderful life keeping dreams on the pillow. Merry Christmas! |
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Location: oswego, il | Junkman, anyone who fished in embroidered frogg toggs has done well for them self.:-) |
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