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| What does it take to get started guiding? I have access to several lakes that have fish, within two hours of the house. I need to know what the best type of boat would be, insurance, prices, and so on. So many guides say that there is no money in guiding, but if you break even, or come out even a little ahead isn't that like being a millionaire, cause you get to fish all of the time. Seriously though, I am really wanting to give this a shot and need some info.
Thank you,
MuskyDan |
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| Dan, this really depends on where you are guiding. In WI you need a Guides License for inland waters and a Capt. license for on the great lakes and also the Mississippi river I believe. Contact your area DNR for all the regs. Remember that when you get a guides license you sign an "oath of office" this will make you eligible for a FELONY charge for any game or fish violations, whether they be big or small. From then on depending on what you expect out of the business you have several ways to go. A web suite will surly help. Business cards, flyers & a Marina or Sport Shop to represent would help for referals etc. You will want to keep track of all and I mean all of your expenses for tax purposes. Last but not least, remember that you may end up with some people that you do not care for in your boat with you. Good luck in you endeavor.
Let Em Go...Let Em Grow.....Mike |
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| I guided for over 15 years, and really enjoyed it. The insurance is best handled through an association, like the National Professional Angler's Association, and runs about $600 per year. Insurance on the rig is included.
I will be renewing my license this year, and doing some limited guiding again in Northern Wisconsin, because I miss it, and really did enjoy my days with the Clients. Unlike Jason, who is now wrapped up in a young family, mine is grown and gone, so I will now have time again.
One can guide from a 14 footer, or a 20 footer. Budget has more to do with that than anything. You CANNOT have enough room, that is for sure. Just get a safe and reliable rig!!
You will need equipment for three, vests, good safety equipment, etc...and LOTS of lures to keep your clients entertained. LEarn to converse with them as to what exactly you are doing at any time on the water, and WHY. You will have a repeat customer then. Good camera, and an instant camera, too. Three sets of foull weather gear, all in XL.
I am expensive by Wisconsin standards, at $350 per day, and offer 10 hours on the water.
Hope this helps![:bigsmile:] |
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| Hey Dan, I just finished my 21st season guiding, And to give you the info your looking for I feel I need more info from you. Would love to help so when you get a chance give me a call and we can talk.
Chuck Altamore
www.altamoreguide.com
muskieFIRST Pro-Staff
(715)477-0120 |
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| Dan,
This past season I started again for the second time. I work full time so I wanted an opportunity to entertain and help others learn evenings and weekends. It is allot of fun the good people outway the bad. For me it's about helping others to shorten the learning curve and above all show them a good time.
Steve filled you in on the insurance I haven't found anything comparable and trust me I'm looking cause it's not cheap. Through NPAA you can get basic guide/boat/tackle insurance for $700/year. You must join NPAA that's another $125.
Your rig doesn't need to be new, but it should be clean and above all safe. My trips are all inclusive so I have a fair amount invested in quality rods/reels and baits.
I'm still working on promotional stuff and trying to maximize the benefit from what I'm spending, I invested in a web site that will be up by end of this week, not sure what business that'll bring in but I'll know shortly.
Give one of the more experienced guys a call, they'll be able to answer more of your questions.
Good Luck,
Mark
Musky Adventures
Eau Claire, WI
715-836-7463
Eau Claire, WI |
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| I am all done guiding.. after 8 years of successful seasons I hung it up. Why, because it limited where I could go and with who, my time with the family was very poor at best and I just could not continue to put in those hours and maintain a normal mental well being. That sums up why I hung my hat.
But if you are interested you have to do it right and put your right foot forward. Build yourself a booth for sport shows to promote. Websites can help but you have to get out and talk to the general public. Those that are willing to learn new things are the ones that will hire you. Corperate stuff is the best if you can get that going.
Also you must be willing to put 5 days or more on the waters a week that you are fishing. Customers want to see that you are on "top of your game" when it comes to the latest patterns.
You must have be very understanding and be willing to keep your cool when they spill orange soda and sub sandwiches in your boat.
You must be able to stand the fact that when your customer gets out of the boat and tells his buddys on shore he did not even boat a fish. You must be able to still hang your head high because the customer had three chances and lost all three. Those days were toughest for me. Because I took out alot of rookies, I had a lot of lost fish in my boat. You cant reel the fish in for them or set the hook, so you just have to understand that. Just because others on the lake caught fish, does not make you a bad guide if your clients did not boat one. The fact that you have to often teach a 6500C-3 seminar to start out with is a major hurdle to overcome, let alone catch a fish.
The fact is to be successful you have to be willing to teach and teach some more. Make them learn a ton, and dont be a be afraid to give them all your spots. Be willing to take them out again if you have bad wheather and poor conditions. That always scores big points.[;)] You cant control mother nature when you have a date locked in the books.[;)]
Otherwise make it fun and they will keep on comming back. Adding lots of humer helps, Dave Dorazio is one of the best at that and he tought me plenty. There is more to just catching big fish or lots of fish, you must give the clients an entertaining time.[;)] [:bigsmile:]
If you deside to go with it.. dont do it as a sideline or it will never be profitable. You must be able to guide at least 30hrs a week, not just 16hrs a season. You must also be able to keep good books and get an accountant to make the write offs and the whole thing building as a small business.
If you want more info on the NPAA I will be happy to get that to you. They offer the best guiding insurance for around $600 a year.
Good luck![:bigsmile:] |
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| Take me as a " test client"....BEFORE you make that initial investment! If you can stand me for a day you will either dive in the water or come back a mental giant + do well...[;)] |
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| PERHAPS I SHOULD HAVE CLARIFIED MY INITIAL QUESTION.
Thank you all very much for the well taken advise. In Michigan in order to fish on the inland waterways you need a guide liscence ($30.00) following a 50 question test. The boat needs to be checked by the DNR once every two years. Each boat must have two bildge pumps, and many other up grades. The DNR boat inspection is 150.
I am getting ready to graduate from college to be a school teacher. Guiding would not take the place of my teaching profession, it would be a summer and weekend job. If it helped to pay for my hobbie, introduced me to some new people, and kept me on the water longer I would be happy.
Spongy, I am a substitute school teacher and I have learned to deal with all types. I am sure you and I would get along great if you can handle writing sentences, or serving detentions.
Thanks guys,
MuskyDan
"I will not sware at the fish."
"I will not swear at the fish."
"I will not swair at the fish."[:praise:] |
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