Finding A Good Fishing Guide - 7 Tips To Remember While Picking One

If you’re going fishing in a new spot, you’ll want to find the best guide available. Sure, you can use a brochure, but a good fishing guide will know where the fish you want to catch bite. He’ll also know the best times to go and the best ways to get there. Here are a few tips to help you locate the best guide for your money.

1. Start with Good Communications. You should give your potential guide enough information so that they can plan the most enjoyable fishing trip for you. It’s important that you are honest about how experienced you are. If you try to sound like a more seasoned fisherman than you really are, your guide won’t be able to provide the level of advice you need to make the most of your fishing experience.

2. Ask Around. Make it a point to ask your friends and family with fishing experience. They may be able to refer you to fishing guides they’ve had good experiences with or steer you away from bad ones. Get the details - ask them about their experiences and what they learned about selecting a good fishing guide. They’ll be able to fill you in on your potential fishing guide’s level of knowledge and skill at providing advice and guidance in the field.

3. Cash in on the Internet. There are many websites on the Internet with information about fishing locations, structured fishing trips, and professional fishing guides. Check out blogs and fishing sites for evidence of good fishing guides. A few hours online will save you a lot of time in the long run.

4. Check your Fishing Guide’s Credentials. Does your prospective fishing guide have the proper licenses for his or her state? Have they been certified by a professional fishing association? Are they insured in case of accidents or other mishaps? Don’t waste your time on a potential guide who’s not willing to give you information about his experience and credentials. There are plenty of well-respected, experienced fishing guides out there. Don’t risk your safety by selecting an uncredentialed fishing guide.

5. Get a Detailed Cost Estimate. Know exactly what you’re paying for when you sign up with a fishing guide. Be sure the estimate includes the time period covered, what supplies will be provided for you, the price of lodgings and transportation, and any additional fees that might be added later. Your prospective fishing guide should be able to give you details about his costs and his profits before you sign on the dotted line.

6. Get Acquainted with Your Fishing Guide. You’ll need to take some time to be sure you’re comfortable with your prospective fishing guide. If you don’t get along well, your trip will be a waste of time and money. Chat over a cup of coffee, have a long phone conversation, or find another way to get a feel for who this person is. Will you enjoy their company? Do you trust them instinctively? Will your prospective fishing guide be good company out in the wild?

7. Learn About your Prospective Fishing Guide’s Experience. How long has your prospective guide been in the business? Where have they worked before? What type of fishing trips has he been in charge of before? What is his fishing expertise? What do other people say about his skill and knowledge? Has he worked with people with the same level of experience as you? The more you know about your fishing guide’s experience, the better a decision you’ll be able to make when you sign the contract.

There’s nothing as relaxing and rewarding as a good fishing trip. Coming home with those great fish tales and several pounds of fresh caught fish will garner you a warm welcome home.

One more tip, wherever you’re planning to go, find out if there are any fish consumption advisories on those waters. In the U.S. today, fish in many water bodies may be overly contaminated with harmful pollutants. While you’d have to eat a whole lot of contaminated fish over a very long period to be harmed, you may be more comfortable if you know about the health status of the fish where you’re planning your trip. For more information, contact the state’s fish and wildlife department for details on fish advisories in the area. You can also visit the U.S. EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/ to learn more about this important issue.

by Abhishek Agarwal

About the Author:

Abhishek is an avid Fishing enthusiast and he has got some great Fishing Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 116 Pages Ebook, “Fishing Mastery!” from his website http://www.Fishing-Masters.com/772/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.