THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN LOOKING FOR A GUIDE:

By Capt. Allen Sifford

You save all year long to go on a vacation and go fishing Now you have to find a guide, but where do you look and how do you know it he/she is any good? Well, I'm going .to tell you a few places to look. One way is to take advantage of your written resources such as Gulf Coast Connections. These publications are dedicated to informing the public about the fishing news in particular areas and providing information oh charters and guides for these areas. Many fishing guides publish their articles month after month in hopes of informing you about their fishing techniques. Some are to provide you with helpful tips; some to let you know where the fishing is red hot and some are strictly for your entertainment. In reading these articles you can get a good idea of these guides’ knowledge and personalities.

Another resource to take advantage of is the Internet. Many guide have their own web page which includes a lot of information that could answer some of the most commonly asked questions such as their fees and what areas they fish.

You can also do a little field work and visit the marinas or bait stands in the area you like to fish and ask around about the guides in that area. More often than not, you will find people are willing to offer an opinion on a particular guide or even to recommend one for you. But still you don't know if you are going to be compatible with him/her. Here are some tips I would like to share with you and what I would look for in a guide.

First I would sit-down and try to find as many guides as possible for the area you are interested in fishing. Some of them just may be booked for the day that I might be wanting to go Next I would cal) them and see if they are down to earth and if I would enjoy their company for a day or two. I would also ask them questions like how has the fishing been for you lately, what would their prices be for a full day or a half day trip and how long would that consist of? I would also ask if that would include bait, all of the fishing tackle, and also would that include the fish being cleaned and bagged for those who like to take home their catches. You would be surprised how many of these things some guides do not include as part of their fees. I would also ask if they live in that area and how long they have been fishing. I personally would not want to go with a person that does not fish that particular area all the time, but it is your money. Another thing to look for is whether or not they are U.S.C.G. licensed. I know if it was me, I would not want to go with a person that called himself or herself a guide if they were not licensed

You may or may not know that bait could cost up to sixty dollars, ice another ten dollars and the fish being cleaned could cost you another thirty dollars. All this could add up to a hundred dollars on this part of the trip alone so, be careful when asking questions about fees so that you are not surprised with some hidden costs later. What happens if you go with them and did not catch any fish? I know for myself if they don't take a few fish home, I charge half the price or give them the next trip for half price let's say you did find the right guide and you had a great time, but you did not catch a lot of fish. Take in consideration, this is a business like any others. Some days are good and some are not. Ask around or read upon the fishing news about how the other guides did that day before losing faith in the guide you chartered out. Also if you really bad a good time, it is acceptable to tip a guide to let them know that you enjoyed your trip. Another good idea is to let the guide know that

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