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Posts: 143
Location: Kentucky | I would like your guys opinion on this. A buddy and I have booked a guided trip to a lake we have never been.first of all to learn the lake and second of all to learn afew things from a pro.(Which this guide is.) Anyway, I am going to take my boat down with me and fish afew days after we get back from the guided trip. I was thinking of taking my GPS with me and marking some of the spots that we hit. Say that we raise a muskie and can't get her to bite. If I get back out there the next morning she may still be around and ready for breakfast. But, what if this guide has clients that next day and he roles up in there looking for that big girl and there I am! Would it be rude? or just getting my moneys worth? If I ask him if I can mark some spots, will he take me to his honey hole? |
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Posts: 14
| I am not a pro but unless he owns the lake there is not much he can say. It goes with the territory. |
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | Great ?? River,
I often wondered that myself. Although there are sometimes no moral rules in the game of life, one must ask himself "if I were a guide would I care if my clients did that with me"? That's a tough one!!................................R 1 |
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Posts: 389
Location: Presque Isle Wisconsin | It bothered me a few years ago when GPS units first came out,but then I remwmbered that I thought the Guiding business was over when The little Green box came out and then LCDS etc etc etc.Fishing hot spots maps and now hot spot maps with GPs coordinates already marked on them.
Technology changes many things. All you can do is hope that its used responsibly.
General location is only one factor in being consistently able to catch big fish. Its all in the details and will always be about the details.
Marking GPS cordinates will help someone become a better fisherman, no doubt about it but if a giude is a professional he or She should still be way ahead on the knowldge curve on the waters they fish.
Thats what our job is: To guide people to locations that hold fish.
Whether the person remembers that location by cross referencing landmarks or a hand held electronic device really doesnt matter to me.
It does matter if they are Sportsmen and bring a respect for the sport and the resource.
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Location: Illinois-Indiana | River,
I would "NOT" have a problem with someone trying to mark spots to come back to, after all, when we are done fishing for the day I usually mark up a map for them anyway to show where we fished that day.
Like 7Islands said it is only one tool in the game of Musky fishing, you still have to put the fish in the boat!!!!!!!!:) |
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Posts: 1293
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | I echo 7 Islands sentiments. I have no problem with it and in fact encourage it if asked (the courtious thing to do). I also suggest that clients bring maps with them. Getting back to a particular spot with a GPS still doesn't tell a person how to fish the "spot on the spot".
Muskie regards,
Larry Ramsell
www.larryramsell.com |
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Posts: 376
Location: Lake Vermilion Tower, MN | Hi All,
When I book a client I will tell them to bring their own GPS along.
Afterall, they have paid some good money for the information, and most of them are only here for a few days a season anyway.
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Posts: 1536
Location: God's Country......USA..... Western Wisconsin | When you book a guide for the day, I would consider it your day. You will be the one paying, we should do what you want to do. If all you want to do is drive from spot to spot and mark them, then that is what the day should be used for. I would ask first, to alleviate any tension or unhappiness that may occur in the boat. But if you ever booked with me I will let you mark any spots you want and I will also mark your map. Even though you know were they are you still have to catch them.
One thing more though, if you are on one of the spots that you marked and your guide comes in to fish it while you are there. A little courtesy may be in order, make room so that you both can fish. You will feel better about it and so will the guide. But I'll bet he says go ahead and fish, I will go to my next spot. I know I would. |
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Posts: 143
Location: Kentucky | Thank you guy's for your input. It is very interesing how people's opinion differ on this subject. I wouldn't be upset if the guide said that he would rather I didn't use my gps. I respect all of his hard work that he has put in on finding his hot spots, I have found afew small submerged weedbed's on my favorite lake, and I am not sure that I would take someone out there and say (mark this spot, muskie love it!) I am just going to focus on having a great time and try to learn as much as possible. Thank's |
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| I guess I'm a little old fashioned, but if I even had a GPS, I would feel somewhat uncomfortable using one while in the guides boat; my reasoning is that the dude put in his time learning the h2o, has bills to pay, and perhaps these spots are ones that may produce for him on a regular basis. I struggle to turn on an electric razor, so I wouldn't be able to find the spots again anyhows, so a map marking would be fine w/ me. I would appreciate the offer of the guide, but would decline. Those who wish to take advantage of the technical device should by all means do so if given the green light. I guess I just enjoy getting out, wandering around and storing info. in my giant brain!;) |
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Posts: 1247
Location: On the Niagara River in Buffalo, NY | I have had Clients bring along the GPS and mark all the spots for the day,I don't have a problem with it at all.They would be doing their self better by paying closer attention to detail of type,color,depth,speed and presentation of the crankbaits used for the day.We have people that live right here on my waters that can't catch a fish on any given day,and they know the spots inside out.Just because they know where to return to,doesn't bring fish to the boat.I would suggest not only that you use your GPS,but also buy a good navigational chart to mark and ask many questions from your day's guide,so you understand everything from place,time,depth of presentation,etc.
Edited by LarryJones 2/24/2003 11:39 AM
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Rivermusky, when you hire a guide you pay for the info along with the fishing. When I guide I don't hold back anything, I recomend the client bring along a map for me to mark, a GPS will help he/she find the spot again that I point out. This is a tool just like a graph, map or visual land marks. Anytime you have a question please ask your guide,we are in the buisness to make you a better fishermen. The more you learn the better we feel about the outing. I can't tell you how good it makes me feel when a client calls or e-mails me to tell of a personal sucess that I was in some form resposible for. That is what we thrive for, you will tell other people and they will tell more people. Word of mouth is the best advertizement you can have. Good luck with your guide, remember to ask lots of question and pay close attention to detail. Its your time, use it the best you can, take notes and by all means bring your GPS. |
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Posts: 147
Location: Leech Lake, Walker, MN. | Much has been said on communication between the guide and clients. Your question falls into that category. Talk with your guide during the booking process. This communication will make the start of the trip more informative and eliminate any uncomfortable situations.
I also do not mind if the client uses a GPS. I always mark maps at the end of the trip and believe this is an important aspect of the complete guide trip and education. It's your day and you are spending your hard earned money. Ask questions, make constructive comments, learn what you can. I hire guides when I travel to other locations and on vacations and always pick their brains. You are never to old or wise to learn and are a fool if you think you are.
Good luck, Murph |
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Posts: 169
Location: Elgin ,IL | Guess I'm having a hard time trying to understand why a guide would have a problem with this? It's your money/your day, if you're fishing a big lake, then why not mark the spots you're fishing with your GPS? We don't really need a GPS on the Fox Chain, but I always make a point (just like Ralph Florio) to mark maps for customers before they leave or while we're fishing so they can come back on their own and fish our spots. I guess a good courtesy move would be to ask your guide ahead of time if he's OK with this. If he says no or seems to have a problem with this, I'd try to gingerly find out wha his hidden agenda is regarding you using your GPS on your trip. If he seems quirky about this, then I'd look to find another guide. My .02 cents. :) |
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Posts: 355
Location: Silver Lake, WI | I think communication is the key. Ask about it when setting up your trip and make sure it is OK. I personally could care less. I am always more than happy to mark more spots than we actually have a chance to fish in a day. If someone can go back and catch a fish from one of those spots and then calls me back and tells me about it, that's what it is all about in my opinion.
Most guys I know could care less.
I hire several guides every year. I have never taken a GPS unit on the trip - even on Lake of the Woods. I do take a map though and mark off spots as we go. I always ask the guide if he is OK with me coming back and fishing those spots again. I have never had one say no. I have, however, had them ask that I keep the spot a secret and I have always respected their wishes. If I go back to those spots and I see his boat coming, I am pulled up and off the spot before he even gets a chance to get into position to start fishing. I do this out of respect for that person. I am there for fun. He is making his living. He needs the spot more than I do. I have even gone so far as pulled off the lake and gone elsewhere - especially on small lakes in Northern WI. The reason I do this is I know how I feel when clients are camped on spots that I have taken them to. Fishing the spot is one thing but I have had people literally camp on a spot for hours and when you want to fish it, they tag along with your boat for casual conversation hoping to find out where else the fish might be moving or what they might be moving on so they know if they are better off staying put.
Some guides have made it clear that they would prefer you to move on if you see them coming. Again, I have always respected their wishes.
It all comes down to communication. If you were in Northern WI and a guide asked that you don't use your GPS, I wouldn't fault that person for making that request - especially if you are talking about 200 acre lakes. He probably doesn't have any hidden agendas. He just might be trying to protect pet areas/spots from over exposure. I certainly wouldn't let that deter you from fishing with that person. Everyone has their own opinions and some "old timers" shy away from modern technology. You could be missing out on some great experiences if you let that deter you from fishing with them. Respect their wishes and go and have fun.
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