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| I have seen pricing go from $250 all the way up to $600 for a day with a guide. There are some very awesome guides out there, who are worth their weight in gold. They know spots, fish, and ways to catch them!
In reality, what are the biggest expenses for you? Is it more realistic to get more money if you're running a big brand new, 60 m.p.h. boat? Or, are you better off being a little more humble, and run a smaller boat with less frills? Does the size of the lake dictate what size boat you're using? How much fuel are you going through in a day?
I look at the pricing for guides, and I think a lot of people don't realize the expenses inherent with guiding. Having never been a guide, except when I owned Andy Myer's Lodge, and that was a different story, I keep looking at what the expenses are, and if I wasn't getting $300-400 per day, for 7 months, I'm not sure I could make ends meet every month!
Any insight fellas??
Donnie 
Edited by Donnie3737 5/4/2007 8:00 AM
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Location: Athens, Ohio | "I just won a million dollars in the state lottery, and I'm gonna guide for muskies until it's all gone!"
Honestly, I know several guides and it's amazing that they can stay ahead with the price of boats, gas, insurance, health insurance, ads and promotion.....
I'll take issue with one of your statement: "being a little more humble, and run a smaller boat with less frills". If you're guiding on small rivers and streams, yeah, maybe, but on bigger water or even mid-sized lakes, where are you going to put 3-4 people, your gear, their gear (sometimes, a truckload!), a couple depth finders, navigation equipment, first aid supplies, coolers for drinks and food (refer to the previous thread about what you carry in your rig!) in a small boat. I don't think - at least in most cases - it's a macho thing, it's a convenience for the customer to have room to turn around and cast. m | |
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| Didn't mean for it sound like ALL guides have huge ego's. I have watched some very successful guides run smaller boats because it is more efficient. These same guides don't allow you to bring 47 things either. Good point! | |
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What a guide should offer is what the customers want, or what there is a need for.
I wouldn't pay more cash for a day with a guide because he has a new Ranger with all the luxuries.
I could care less about how new or fancy the boat is.
If I need a guide, it's not for the boat ride but for the fishing.
There are going to be two types of clients, those that want the luxury on the water, and those that are more concerned about the fishing experience.
Not saying I want a small boat and inferior equipment, but there is a huge difference in what a fee should be to ride around in a 18 ft. aluminum boat and a 20ft. + Ranger etc.
There probably is a pretty good market out there for guides who can put you on fish without the overhead of a big new boat and all the best electronics etc.
JS | |
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Good luck everyone this year......may you all release 50's this year!!!!!!
Edited by Dennis Radloff 5/4/2007 11:58 AM
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Guiding really isn't that much different than a lot of areas of self-employment.
Construction workers, concrete workers, golf course owners, farmers,
Yard service/landscapers. etc. etc.
They all have overhead and limited amount of time to make a living.
They all need to get insurance, maintain equipment/tools etc. etc.
No matter what you do, bottom line is you have to make ends meet, and hopefully like what you do.
As with any self-employed person, part of your success will depend on how smart you are with your investment of time and money in your business.
Maybe using a big expensive boat that sucks up a lot of gas will be the factor that doesn't allow you to pay the bills.
At the end of the day, the numbers have to add up to profit, or you have to change jobs or change your strategy at the current job.
JS
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Location: Yahara River Chain | Donnie3737 - 5/4/2007 7:59 AM
if I wasn't getting $300-400 per day, for 7 months, I'm not sure I could make ends meet every month!
Any insight fellas??
Donnie ; )
Maybe if you stayed out of Hooters, you could drop that to $200 - $300 a day.  | |
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Posts: 66
| John hit the nail on a few things.....guiding is no different than any other self-employment / small business / seasonal occupation and it comes down to runnng and managing it like a business and not a hobby. I have learned a few tough lessons along the way by not making some "smart" decissions.
One thing I pay more attention to over the last couple of seasons with the bigger boat / motot is that I don't run wide open from spot to spot anymore.....I have learned where the "efficency" range is on my motor and run there most of the time...makes a big difference at the end of the month. | |
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| Thanks Gerard for giving away my secret...LOL! | |
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Posts: 66
| I made an edit to delete my response....I didn't mean to paint the impression that I was complaining about my job...I thought I made that clear....I love my job and will continue to enjoy it as long as I am able.
I do appreciate and respect that the individual e-mailed me in private and I have responded to him in private.
Good luck everyone.
Dennis | |
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| Dennis, I personally thought your response was the most insightful post on this whole thread. Didn't sound like "complaining" to me, more like "This is what guiding is like"... I think that's something that the people who hire guides would benefit from understanding, and certainly something that those considering guiding would want to read. | |
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Location: Yahara River Chain | Donnie3737 - 5/4/2007 11:48 AM
Thanks Gerard for giving away my secret...LOL!
Hardly a secret!!!!! At least in this neck of the woods. lol
Dennis, I have to agree with esoxaddict (I can't believe I really typed that), but is/was a great response.
Edited by muskie! nut 5/4/2007 12:22 PM
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Location: Home of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs | Just food for thought here... The right tool for the job. I do think some guides are at the over kill stage on the size of boat and motor. i understand the big waters would necesitate a bigger boat/motor but note that I didnt say biggest boat/motor. I dont think my fees to fish a smaller lake should mirror that of a big lake outing for a couple of reasons.
Also as a client, unless otherwise stated, I would also expect the guide to provide any/all equipment to be fished and I wouyld expect to use the SAME quality gear as the guide. I didnt appreciate it when fishing with a guide and he set me up with ABU 6500's (not bashing ABU's I own /use several) and then he reaches in to his rod locker and plucks one of several Calcutta te's.
Then there is also the guide whom on LOW had the same response to my question of what to fish and how......EVERY SPOT ON THE LAKE HE RECOMMENDED A BLACK BUCKTAIL. I understand the "Black buck tail principle" BUT give me a break here, wasnt born yesterday. Just offering some thoughts. Rest assured though I DO share opinions of any/all guides whom I've hired good bad or indifferent.
Not ripping the guide business here. many many great guides out there with some very exceptional ones as well. Some even here on M1st. I too like to heae the "guide chatter" on the sites as it is also very informative.
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I wouldn't categorize telling it like it is as complaining.
Running your own business is tough, no matter what the profession. Doesn't mean you don't love what you do to highlight the work and sacrifice it takes to do that.
I do think that a lot of people getting into the guide business these days are putting to much money into equipment (boats, baits, custom rods,electronics), and are now finding out they can't pay for all that stuff they thought they had to have.
As you get successful you upgrade, hopefully without borrowing to much money.
That is how you will make it on your own.
JS | |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | anybody without boat envie is lying to you ... just like electronics envy ... rod, reel envy ... as producers bring cooler stuff to the table those that invest in it and enjoy the "newness" are enjoying something we all would like to. don't they say the 2 happiest days of your life are the day you sell your boat and the day you buy the new one?
i envy the guys that are happy with their rides they've had forever ... in the meantime i'll sign up as another person with boat envy ... for me it's a skeeter 1880 wx with a 225 vmax ... #*^@, i want one of those things bad! ... will i get one, i don't know ... will there be people who say "hey, nice boat .... wish i had one" sure, is it why i do it ... yeah, cause right now it's exactly what i'd say if i saw a guy with one ...
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| interesting post.
i wouldn't hire someone for the fancy clothes and boat. etc....
i fished with plenty of guys in the basic tuffy,lakelands, crestliners , fishers etc...many were and still are incredible fisherman.
look at the old river boat guides. not an expensive boat but their techniques and talents positioning the boat was the key.along with patience and undrstanding.
when i got in this business, i learned from some great ones. they said boat positon is real important. patience and reliable equipment.
my clients do fish with everything i have from equipment to spots to my effort. i believe they deserve it.
we all want to be in the best boat with the biggest motor but unfortunately it doesn't work that way at all. whats"in the package" is more important.
some have so many different backgrounds and lives if they have a quality boat to get it done and its reliable and has room for 1 or 2 clients than so be it.
my $0.02
hey sled the wx1880 is real close. with a 150 yamaha
dannyboy
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| The boat means NOTHING if you don't know what to do with it. You too can have a 50K boat, all one has to do is be able to sign your name. Oh, and have the funds to write the check each month. Steve | |
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Posts: 8781
| how can you have boat envy when you have a 2180 bay Ranger?
And Steve, you're right -- anybody with a lot of money can have a $50,000 boat. Don't even have to know how to use it... But to get enough money guiding to be able to afford that $50,000 boat to me says you must be a pretty d*mn good guide. If you're not, I can't imagine you'd have enough clients to make the payments.
Edited by esoxaddict 5/4/2007 3:01 PM
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Location: minocqua, wi. | i remember seeing after a grueling 2-day smokin' hot (edit ... in the holy crap it's hot and the fish are nowhere but my arms are now pink vernacular) WMT on boom ... a 621 heading out on day two a full 4 hours early ... it's loaded with enough sponsor decals with matching monkey suits .... enough to make you think that sunday morning tv was in town ... not enough spunk and they gave up. i think the tourney was won by a couple of guys in an aluminum v-boat with a 25hp. johnson ...
but ... now dannyboy ... i'd hire you now cause i heard you had a yami! LOL
Edited by jonnysled 5/4/2007 3:01 PM
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| The perfect comparison was made earlier in the thread about it being a seasonal business. Most contractors by 'Industrial Quality' tools because they use them more than most people would. These tools cost more than the standard equipment we personally use. If I had to spend 200+ days on the water I would want a comfortable riding boat with a durable/dependable motors and equipment. They need/require 'Industrial' strength tools plus their clients are paying for a premium service and will feel like they are getting it with nicer equipment. Do I need a big Ranger for the few outings I go on, NO, I have what fits my requirements. But like most selfemployed/seasonal workers they have to be real savvy with money. I don't want to pay for someones inability to budget money and keep costs under control.
I'm not saying the equipment makes the guide but it can make a statement of what his expectations are for the amount of money you are paying. | |
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| sled you got me smiling.........
good points fellas.
like i said whats in the package.
dannyboy
[email protected] | |
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Posts: 814
| I may me going out on a whim here but....I think guides are WAY over priced! 400 dollars a day X 7 days a week=2,800.00 times 7 months 78,400 FOR A PART TIME JOB! I bet most people on this site don't make that in a year! And if they weren't making money at it guides wouldn't be poping up left and right. Now I am not knocking ANY guides! Do I fish with guides YOU BET, I am good friends with a few of them and would love to be in there shoes!! | |
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Posts: 311
| I think guides should have newer equipment, they will get more repeat business with new stuff than old wore out stuff....
New equipment gives clients a lasting impression that will be talked about when friends ask them how their trip was....,
Clients should enjoy their day on the water in comfort and with the latest and greatest equipment.....IMHO.... | |
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| It is tough to guide 7 months/year unless they are also guiding on the southern reservoirs (some do). But according to a post above, approx $75k/season sounds like alot of money. Factor in 15% FICA, 15 % self-employment tax, state income tax, insurance, GAS $$$$, most likely a boat payment and equipment used/abused by clients and it boils down to alot less money than it first appears to be. Also, being self-employed means no employer 401k, so they should put some away for later.
When I sign up for a guide date, it does seem like a lot of dough, but no one is forcing me to pay that money. I do it because I enjoy fishing and I figure it helps me along in this adverture.
BTW, I am not a guide, but I am self-employed and realize I sure don't get to spend everything I make-the tax man is hungry. Yes there are certain breaks to being self-employed, but there are no sick days, vacation days or things like that if you want to keep the money coming in.
Howard | |
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Posts: 814
| Good point Howard but I also pay Federal,State,SS,tax and insurance! I also know that everyone who owns their own business doesn't claim every thing they make either.... they would be fools if they did, also how many people who have owned a good business went bankrupt or quit? not many. | |
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| One factor not brought up here is that most of the big time guides have deals with Ranger, etc. where they get a new boat every year and just have to sell it at the end of the year to get a new one the next year. A couple I know get one every two years as long as they sell. I am unsure how it works with the boat electronics makers (Lowrance, etc. ) - but I wouldn't doubt they get that stuff free too. Definately allows them to add to the bottom line at the end of the year.
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| Well some people that own their business pay everyting they earn-I do because it is reported to the IRS and I get a 1099.
Being self-employed, we have to pay and extra 7.5 % (if you're employed, the employer pays that 7.5%). Many employers also cost share a portion of health insurance premiums and have group health ins so you don't get dinged with pre-existing conditions.
THere are benefits to being self-employed or many wouldn't do it, but it is not a panacea either. Having a seasonal gig makes it that much more of a challenge.
Yes, guides charge what seems like a lot of money, but $75k gross isn't as much as it appears when you figure in expenses. I am sure these guys love muskie fishing, but it is nothing like some of us taking a week off from work and going balls to the wall fishing. To make $75k, these guys must do this 200 days straight with no sick days (no pay), vacation (no pay), no shows (no pay except deposit), bad weather (possibly no pay), mechanical problems (no pay), significant injury (no pay plus medical expenses).
Does it pay to have a new Ranger every year with their incentives? I do not know what kind of incentive they get, or is it better to keep that boat and get it paid off and have less expense each month?
These guys run a business and charge what they think they are worth. Are they worth it? That is up to potential clients to decide.
Howard | |
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Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | One factor not brought up here is that most of the big time guides have deals with Ranger, etc. where they get a new boat every year and just have to sell it at the end of the year to get a new one the next year. A couple I know get one every two years as long as they sell. I am unsure how it works with the boat electronics makers (Lowrance, etc. ) - but I wouldn't doubt they get that stuff free too. Definately allows them to add to the bottom line at the end of the year.
*Getting a boat on a one year note is what you're thinking of. Trust me, it's still a loan, and like anything else in this world, in the end, nothing is free. It's better than a boat payment, but it's definitely not a "free boat". | |
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Location: WI | Amen DannyBoy!
I would also have to add its a market driven price. If people didnt think they were getting their monies worth overall, the price would eventually reflect that. Fact is our sport has grown so much over the last 10 years, and in certain areas, their demand exceeds availability, for example the "Minnesota explosion/exploitation." I know some of these guys, and they generally can catch fish in a bathtub. So them being relatively new to the area wouldnt bother me. The same market also weeds out the hacks. If a guide doesnt produce what the client is looking for the client will go elsewhere next time.
And its all what you want to get out of your experience. Being a guide I have noticed the big tippers are almost always the guys who ask the most questions. For the most part they could care less about the fishing "that day." They are there to learn. What kind of price do you put on that knowledge?
Of course every situation is different, but that part is up to the guide to find out what the client expects, and then decide if they can deliver whats expected.
Word of mouth spreads faster than ever now with the internet. Back before the internet, reputations were built over years. Now its overnight.
All that being said, the guys I would pay TOP dollar would not be your "BIG Named Guides". They would be guides 95 % of people dont hear much about. No need for promotion. If they are booked solid, they dont have to look for clients.
I would rather have a guide with a "few thousand fish" to their credit. Rather than a "few thousand internet posts" to their credit. But thats just my personal preference.
The market will always dictate the price. And if need be, correct itself.
Have a safe and successful season!
Edited by Shane Mason 5/4/2007 8:21 PM
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| "I have seen pricing go from $250 all the way up to $600 for a day with a guide."
A believe a Neurosurgeon makes about $800.00 per day, so getting $600.00 a day to help someone catch a Musky is pretty impressive. People go to college for 2-4 years and do not make that kind of money. I say anyone that can pull that off must be near "Genius" in intellegence. More power to em'. | |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | I think safety and con fort as well as fishability are most important when comes time to select a good guide boat. Personally I run a 20' Mirage with a 225 HP and I can get away with an 18 footer like I had in the past. But I think clients drive 900 miles or fly to come and fish in comfort. Yes big fish are important but if you are uncomfortable in an old 16-17 foot boat or unsafe in large waters. Reliability is another important factor, you don't want clients staying in while you get your boat repaired.
As for $$$ I don't think my price would change if I ran a $40K 18 footer vs. the $60 20 footer. It would have to be a tinny with a small motor but then again my first boat was a 16.5 footer with a 40HP as this is a big river.
Some of us are fortunate enough to offer the full package, trophy muskie in full comfort. | |
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| Donnie to answer your question
Whats the biggest expense
There 2 in my case
1) Gas
2) food/lodging ( meals being the biggest part)
Both fuel and meals are pretty much equivalent and run each in the 5 digits
thats the 2 essentiall cost for a full season
Its all relevant to the service you offer,the more you offer, more cost you will have
At times,the over extention of the services you offer are tacked on as extra expenses but the loyalty pays off in the long term
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| Your kidding right? You are going to include food as one of your biggest expenses? I believe that everyone even non fishing guides eat! That one cannot even be considered. Lodging on the other hand, yes, but most guides live reasonably close to where they are guiding. Just wondering how this got this far and no one has mentioned that yes guides have expensive boats, but like Lambeu said they can work deals with manufacturers, they can depreciate their boat and truck. They can write off interest on them. Every "big name guide" which this post refers too is receiving free lures all the time. Not to mention they probably have some form of promotional deal with several manufacturers which helps them to offset the cost of lures, nets, etc. Maybe not all of the cost, but some. And before someone gets smart with me and tells me to get in the truck and drive up to northern wisconsin and start guiding, I never would want that job in a million years! The guys that do this for a living are all special people, I would love to try and fish for 6-7 months a year, but even if fishing with my best friends in the world that would be tiring. Now try and do it with people that you hardly know, or have only talked to on the phone! It would be one of the hardest jobs to do seven days a week. It would have some very rewarding moments, but I bet that there are more frustrating moments than rewarding ones. The guys that are trying to make their living in a boat are earning every penny that they get, leave it alone until you've done it yourself. | |
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| Nel,my trips include lodging and meals and guide fees,one rate everything included
Dude if I ate that much food,I problably never ber able to get out of the boat again
Sorry I should have clarified | |
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| Nel, I dont think companies give anything out for free and rightfully so.Most promote or work at shows in exchange they are allocated a certain amount of product
Steve can correct me on this
I know I must show my yearly promotinal efforts for a return in product,rightfully so | |
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Location: Warroad, Mn | No, I think neurosurgeons make around $800.00/hour, and probably more! Guides make less than that!
I find this thread interesting as I suppose I'm a "big name" guide. I've been guiding on the LOTWs for around 30 years, and full time for the past 15 years.
Most of the folks that I know who are really trying to make a living at muskies guiding have another source of income. Most full time guides are young, single, have a old car, but a new Ranger (financed), and are renting a very low rent apartment/cabin. I'll bet most don't clear $20,000/year, I know that I don't.
As far as I can tell being a "Big Name" guide doesn't get you too much better deal on big ticket items than what you can get if you're are good shopper.
Doug Johnson
Edited by dougj 5/7/2007 9:01 PM
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Location: Yahara River Chain | I could be a big name guide. I have 6 letters in my 1st name and 11 in my last name. That's a total of 17 letters!!! Can't get much bigger than that. (and I'm a smart a$$ to boot!!!)
Gerard Hellenbrand
Vanna White would be sooo proud of me!!!
Edited by muskie! nut 5/7/2007 8:54 PM
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Location: North-Central WI | The bottom line is this - as guides, we charge what we feel is needed to make a living. That being said, when one takes into consideration the amount of time, equipment, and effort necessary to guide muskies successfully, the daily price doesn't seem too much after all...
Just my two cents worth,
Joel DeBoer
Edited by J DeBoer 5/8/2007 5:24 AM
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| yes guides have expensive boats, but like Lambeu said they can work deals with manufacturers
just to be clear, i've not posted a response to this thread before now, and i definitely didn't say anything about guides working out deals with manufacturers.
i think that there is a certain mystique associated with guides, and rightfully so, that comes from them "living the life" of fishing for muskies every day. as with all mystiques, it tends to glamorize the good parts (catch muskies!) and completely ignore the negatives (live like a coyote) that come with it.
the reality is that it's a job. like all jobs, i imagine that some days it can be something you love and some days it can be something you hate. the bottom line is that it's a blue-collar job: a working-man's job. it's much more akin to construction or landscaping than it is to being a neurosurgeon - both in pay and the physical effort required.
every full-time guide i've talked to describes hard days of getting up early, working outside all day in all kinds of weather, and going to bed exhausted late at night. hmmm, that sounds alot like the parts of my job that sucked when i was in the Army...and it's exactly why i went to college to avoid having to do it for the rest of my life.
don't envy fishing guides for their supposed income, or supposed deals on gear. so some of them get a couple free lures tossed their way? most non-guides make more money than guides and can afford to buy their own. and as for guides getting free boats? good one. the smart ones just get real good at floating the interest.
if you want to envy them, make it for them having the balls to do something where they have someone doing a job evaluation on them every day they go to work. most of the time i'm pretty good at my job, but that doesn't mean i'd want my boss basing part of my pay on it every day!
in a supply-and-demand market, prices will set themselves. prices will always be as high as the buyers will allow, but they will never be over that point either.
a hard-working guide earns every dollar and "perk" they get. because they do actually have to go out and work for it. just like you and me...
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| Do any guides guarantee fish for the costs they charge, or offer reduced rates if they don't produce? I've never hired a guide, and was just curious. I'm in no way asking anyone to justify their fees, I just don't know. Anyone? Thanks. | |
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Location: Rhinelander. | All I can say is walk a mile in those shoes before you go running off at the mouth about the money someone else makes. Unless you have been in business for yourself you do not have a clue as to what it really takes to make a buck. $400.00 a day doet seem to much at all to charge for a day. Also for guides that don't do it full time I will tell you ur expenses are not cheaper then those that do it full time. | |
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| Lambeau,
You must have been a fishing guide in your past life because you hit the nail on the head! Anyone out there interested in my free boat at the end of the season? Interesting thread.
Lee Tauchen | |
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| Well Lee as you get a free boat and seeing you are giving it away
I"ll take it
Doug,I aint getting any younger but the child support payments keep going up
Like my age I suppose
Lambeau very good response
Its truelly a way of life,you earn a living ,making money is not part of the reasons for doing such a proffession.
Donnie,not sure the expenses are relevant to big names but more so to the services and efforts you offer.I suspect those are the factors more so than who you may be. | |
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| as with all mystiques, it tends to glamorize the good parts (catch muskies!) and completely ignore the negatives (live like a coyote) that come with it.
That's funny, but true from the guides I've talked to, so maybe it's not so funny  
All I gotta say about Lambeau's post is, TRUE DAT.
Edited by esox50 5/8/2007 6:09 AM
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| Marc, Doug, Lambeau, Lee, Gerard (not sure if you said anything interesting), and all others that have responded,
This was what I was looking for! Very diverse ideas, very diverse fishermen, and a world apart from what it used to be. Today's muskie anglers I feel are electronically and technologically sound...it is a matter of running the right lanes (at the right depths) for those who troll...running the right weed edge or break when casting. Running the baits that best fit the need...and with 1,000's of times as many as ANY time in history, that can be an expense too. I've gotten a few free lures over the years, but most of them cost ME money!
I guess my whole point about this stemmed from the fuel increase and the cost of boats increasing. I think it was mentioned "safety." Ulrimately, that IS the most important! If you're fishing a big body of water, size of the boat DOES matter.
Thanks for all your replies.
Donnie | |
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| Several people have mentioned that the guides are charging too much. If people are willing to pay your rates and your schedule is booked, as most of the "Big Name Guides BNG's" are, then their NOT charging to much. Supply and demand.
You'll know your charging too much when people start going to cheaper guides, but until then, reep while you can. | |
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| Ultimately, most of them CAN'T do it any cheaper. As DouJ mentioned, even AFTER expenses, most guides net $20,000/year. Could any of us on this board live on $20,000? I have 3 kids, one starting college. His tuition alone is going to be $20,000/year! | |
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Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | mskyhntr - 5/4/2007 5:33 PM
I may me going out on a whim here but....I think guides are WAY over priced! 400 dollars a day X 7 days a week=2,800.00 times 7 months 78,400 FOR A PART TIME JOB! I bet most people on this site don't make that in a year! And if they weren't making money at it guides wouldn't be poping up left and right. Now I am not knocking ANY guides! Do I fish with guides YOU BET, I am good friends with a few of them and would love to be in there shoes!!
I really don't understand this assertion that full time guiding is a part time job. It's the same thing as a skilled construction worker in WI/MN/Ontario CA- You've got to make your money when the weather allows you too! Also 8+ hours a day, 7 days a week, for 7 months is hardly a part time job. Besides most of the real guides have winter jobs/speaking engagements, second career's, etc. to supplement their "part time income". You also have to factor in the inclimate weather (it's to dangerous to go out), cancellation's, no show's.
If I told my wife I was going to stop doing what I do and start guiding for ~$75k/year she'd definitely question my sanity. Now if she did'nt know any better, that would be another story!
Have fun!
Al | |
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| Derrys,
I agree with everything you said minus one point- a neurosurgeon makes a whole lot more than $800/day. In fact, you're not even half way there for most neurosurgeons.
But I agree, if you can pull in $600/day helping people catch muskies, you're a whole lot smarter than me! | |
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Posts: 1430
Location: Eastern Ontario | I just don't know how anyone can say guides make a lot of money. Lets say I charge $500 a day and guide 5 days a week for the entire season. That's like $60K for the season. Even if I didn't have any expenses it's not that much of an income but when you subtract the expenses it doesn't leave much.
Yes we get deals on boats, motors, electronics, rods, reels and lures. But most of us just go out and get a bigger boat, bigger motor, better rods and reels ect ect. Some of us offer the complete package first class from lodging to guiding and yes trophy muskies are the bonus.
That's why we have a winter job to help pay the bills as lord knows guiding ain't it.
BTW some of us are fortunate enough to have a wife with benefits including a pension as I know I have nether. | |
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| I caught 1 Muskie last year.(Although I didn't fish much). I guess if I loved Muskie fishing as much as some of you guys do, and I could work that into a job, I'd do it in an instant.
My aunt is a former college professer. She was once asked "What would be the perfect job?" She responded by saying this: "The perfect job is a job which pays you a fair wage for doing what you might normally do for free". Well I'd say being a Muskie guide fits that statement perfectly, as I doubt that if guys were not out guiding, that they'd NOT be fishing anyway.
I'd say it's a good gig if you can get it, and I know it's a lot of hard work. I think people just see dollar figures thrown out there like $500.00-$700.00 per day, and don't think about what else is actually involved. Charging batteries, gassing up the boat, etc. There are too many expenses to mention.
My boat is actually on it's last legs, and I may need to use a guide to get some fishing in. Anyone want to show me around Mille Lacs? How about $100.00 per day? | |
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| My bad, I meant slamr sorry lambeu, must have had the packers on the mind that day. | |
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Posts: 358
Location: London, England | I'd be interested to know how often guides get competent anglers in the boat with them against the times when the anglers can barely cast and have no real idea what they're doing? The few times I've taken people out the standard of their fishing skills has been frustratingly low. If that was common I wouldn't enjoy guiding at all and would probably end up taking up golf to relax! | |
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| Yep.... | |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | 'I like fishing muskies, so I'll guide for a living.'
'I like boats, so I'll select a career in the Navy.'
It's not a job, it's an adventure!! | |
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Steve;
Isn't that why any guide would choose to pursue that as a career, because they like to fish?
If I was hiring any guide, that would be first on my criteria as a must have quality is that they like to go fishing.
Are you saying that just because you like to fish, that isn't enough to get into the guiding business?
What business would be appropriate for such a person than?
JS | |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Obviously, I'm saying that 'liking to Muskie fish' is not a very good reason to decide to guide.
One needs to look at why one fishes muskies. If it's for the enjoyment of the challenge, time with friends and family, and relaxation, guiding might not be a good career path. And, it also is a good idea to be very accomplished at the sport; in other words, be 'good' at it.
I enjoy guiding. I like watching well versed anglers work, enjoy teaching those who need a bit of help, and enjoy the challenge of getting a client into a good fish. But when I was full time, I found myself not enjoying fishing with friends and family as much, especially for Muskies. For awhile there, I didn't fish Muskies at all unless I was guiding, and that wasn't what I wanted. So I backed off the full time idea, and now do some guiding when the rest of my work schedule permits.
Much better. | |
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Posts: 8781
| John, I know your question was directed at Steve, but I feel compelled to answer...
You can love fishing more than anything in the world and still be a lousy guide in my opinion. You have to love PEOPLE. You have to love teaching. You have to be patient, unsderstanding, even tempered, and kind. You have to be able to pick out backlashes all day, watch your equipment get broken, abused, lost, watch people miss fish by not doing figure 8's, fish lures out of trees, off docks, watch that perfect cast YOU were about to make get blown because someone else's line is all over the water, pick line out of your trolling motor, and deal with people who have never been fishing before. You have to be willing to sit there all day and listen to soeone whine because they're paying you $300, it's 10:00 and they haven't caught anything yet, its hot its cold its raining...
You have to love fishing, of COURSE you have to love fishing. But I think you have to love GUIDING more.
I love fishing and I love teaching. I like people and I like helping people. But could I be a guide? I know there would be guys that all I would be thinking all day is "how long until I can get this IDIOT out of my boat?" I know there's be guys who no matter what I told them did NOT listen, didn't do what I told them, lost fish and blamed me. And I can't guarantee I wouldn't lose my temper and swear at them. How would YOU feel if you hired a guide and at some point he yelled at you "what the %^&$ are you DOING?! I $^%&$ TOLD YOU to set the hook! GOD, that was a nice $%#&% fish and you ^%$* BLEW IT!"
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Brad, I'm your guy. Bring gas money and the Monster energy drinks and it's game-on! | |
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| Treats, if you're serious, you name the date, access, and time, and I'll be waiting in the parking lot. I'll bring "Rock Star" and "Vault", and even cover the gas expense unless you plan on high-speed trolling tactics all day long. Game-on! | |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | HAAAHAHAHAAHAHA!!! Yes, one has to be a people person, or at least be able to be 'stoic'. Crabby folks need not apply...
Of course, there are the guides who are 'colorful'. They wear plaid flannel shirts and full, but nicely trimmed beards and big sunglasses. They speak in Northern Wisconsin and Northern MN accents. That way, most of the clients won't know when they are being 'talked about'. This breed seems to have license to be a bit abusive, and get away with it because they are 'rustic'. | |
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Posts: 691
Location: nationwide | When I hear of a guide being "rustic" the person who comes to mind is Dave Dorazio. If he was a car he would have had antique plates on him since the 80's.
Corey Meyer | |
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In Reality BIG Name Guides...