Fishing guide disappointment

[TRIGGER]

I have been fishing KY lake quite a bit this year and honestly I have just enough experience to be confused. I fish with some of the what I would call local experts from time to time but decided I would go on a guided trip with someone that I or the fishing group I associate with doesn't really know just to get a new feel for the lake and learn some things. WHAT A JOKE. I am really disappointed with the trip and actually cut it off early. The guy is a "pro" that has fished the lake for 27 years. He has fished bass masters tournaments and of course the tournaments leading up to them so I know this guy knows how to catch fish but only took us (my fishing buddy and I) on a wild good chase. We fished the same pattern for 6 hours with only 3 fish put in the boat. I know the pattern he was fishing and it has been pretty good but it just wasn't working but he wouldn't change. That is the exact reason i wanted to go with a guide is to learn when,why and how to change things up when the known pattern shuts off for whatever reason. All he said was "the sun is out today they are going to be hard to catch". I kept grilling him on what we should do next but he never did anything. I told myself going into it that I was not going to be stubborn with my ways and let the "pro" teach me so I kept relatively quiet and not too pushy. I probably screwed up big time by letting him know that I fish the lake quite a bit. We were supposed to fish until 3 but at noon I asked him to take us back to the ramp. My buddy and I unloaded our stuff out of his boat and into mine and went back out. We had a limit on the boat in an hour and a half. What a waste of money. Not only did I not catch a fish with him but also didn't learn a thing. Rant over

 

[SilverFox]

You'll find a lot of guides only get spoken good of because the fishermen they take out don't know anything. It's hard to find a guide who actually works for fish anymore. Most want the easy money. Catch a few fish and shoot a beginner a line about how tough it is and they will love you for it... they don't know any better.

 

[TRIGGER]

You'll find a lot of guides only get spoken good of because the fishermen they take out don't know anything. It's hard to find a guide who actually works for fish anymore. Most want the easy money. Catch a few fish and shoot a beginner a line about how tough it is and they will love you for it... they don't know any better.

We were one step above bobber fishing

 

[ZachMarkus]

If you want to take I guided trip on guntersville I know the man to call. He's probably 27 or 28 but man he knows the lake and will put you on fish. I went with him about a month ago and our best 5 was over 30lbs. I caught my personal best which was an 8lb 2oz largemouth. We caught probably 40 fish and we both lost a fish over 7lbs at the boat. I don't know how many fish over 5lbs we caught. I couldn't believe it, it was the best fishing trip by far I've ever been a part of.

 

[cmn]

Sorry you were not happy. You had a bad guide. I do not guide KY. Lake but any guide worth his or her salt will change patterns if the "norm" is not working. The only time I held back was when the client told me wherever I took him he was going to return until he had caught and KEPT all legal fish out of the spots I showed him. I proceeded to find out where he fished on the river. Lo and behold what do you know.... That is where I fished also. I have been guiding and hiring guides for over 30 years and occasionally you will have a bad experience. Sorry for your bad day. Don't give up keep trying

 

[rsimms]

I've posted here before (when asked), I don't believe a guide's tip should necessarily be based upon the number of fish caught... but on the individual's level of effort, attitude and demeanor. I hope his tip was "zero."

And I don't typically guide for bass (although we catch 'em)... nor do I offer "guarantees," but had this been one of my catfish trips you would have been offered a "slow day discount."

 

[bigluresonly]

You'll find a lot of guides only get spoken good of because the fishermen they take out don't know anything. It's hard to find a guide who actually works for fish anymore. Most want the easy money. Catch a few fish and shoot a beginner a line about how tough it is and they will love you for it... they don't know any better.

We were one step above bobber fishing

Wow, that really puts your level of disappointment into perspective.

 

[RUGER]

Been there, got the t shirt.

Some people just suck, period.

 

[Biggun4214]

We flounder fished at Myrtle Beach last year after Anna hit. When we finished and paid the guide he commented that he appreciated our business but he knew we would not catch fish. Other charters that I have dealt with have always been up front on weather related issues.

 

[fairchaser]

I used a crappie fishing guide once on Granada Lake because I didn't know the lake. I consider myself a pretty decent fisherman and was wondering if I wasted my money but I was wrong. Probably the best money I ever spent on a guide. He let me ask him any question and was honest with his answers. He never fished himself and competed with us but only guided us and put us on fish and big fish. I learned so much from him that I use today on a regular basis it's not funny. Needless to say, he got a huge tip. Sometimes its the guide and sometimes its just the wrong or right time to be there. Everyone wants success regardless of the circumstances. But, everyday is not going to be an epic day. I usually tip them based on their efforts and not results.

 

[TRIGGER]

I used a crappie fishing guide once on Granada Lake because I didn't know the lake. I consider myself a pretty decent fisherman and was wondering if I wasted my money but I was wrong. Probably the best money I ever spent on a guide. He let me ask him any question and was honest with his answers. He never fished himself and competed with us but only guided us and put us on fish and big fish. I learned so much from him that I use today on a regular basis it's not funny. Needless to say, he got a huge tip. Sometimes its the guide and sometimes its just the wrong or right time to be there. Everyone wants success regardless of the circumstances. But, everyday is not going to be an epic day. I usually tip them based on their efforts and not results.

Oh I understand completely that there is never a guarantee when it comes to fishing. I just feel like he didn't care enough to try something different. Therefore his tip or lack there of reflected that.

 

[raywa]

Don't fell to bad. I've taken my daughter's on 2 different guided trips on Percy priest. Two different guides one trip was for stripers and Hybrid. We caught a grand total of ZERO. Tried a different guide this time for crappie and again grand total of ZERO fish. I'm done with the guided fishing trips. Like Dave Ramsey says I paid my share of STUPID TAX. We are going back to bobber fishing. We at least catch something and its free.

 

[bowhunterfanatic]

If you want to take I guided trip on guntersville I know the man to call. He's probably 27 or 28 but man he knows the lake and will put you on fish. I went with him about a month ago and our best 5 was over 30lbs. I caught my personal best witch was an 8lb 2oz largemouth. We caught probably 40 fish and we both lost a fish over 7lbs at the boat. I don't know how many fish over 5lbs we caught. I couldn't believe it, it was the best fishing trip by far I've ever been a part of.

Was it Salzman?

 

[ZachMarkus]

If you want to take I guided trip on guntersville I know the man to call. He's probably 27 or 28 but man he knows the lake and will put you on fish. I went with him about a month ago and our best 5 was over 30lbs. I caught my personal best witch was an 8lb 2oz largemouth. We caught probably 40 fish and we both lost a fish over 7lbs at the boat. I don't know how many fish over 5lbs we caught. I couldn't believe it, it was the best fishing trip by far I've ever been a part of.

Was it Salzman?

Yes sir, Ryan Salzman

 

[rsimms]

Don't fell to bad. I've taken my daughter's on 2 different guided trips on Percy priest. Two different guides one trip was for stripers and Hybrid. We caught a grand total of ZERO. Tried a different guide this time for crappie and again grand total of ZERO fish. I'm done with the guided fishing trips. Like Dave Ramsey says I paid my share of STUPID TAX. We are going back to bobber fishing. We at least catch something and its free.

Stories like this simple ASTOUND me. :shock: I'm not bragging (well, maybe I am), but I've been guiding since 2006, mostly part-time, but full-time since Jan. 2015. I don't know exactly but I'm sure I've conducted at least 500 guide trips... and as mentioned previously, I don't offer "guarantees." But only two (2) times have my clients failed to catch a fish... two out of 500+. I assure you, they weren't charged a dime.

Maybe I can understand finicky fish or poor timing/conditions for stripers/hybrids. Any guide trips for any species of "trophy" fish can obviously, and understandably, result in zero's. I have been on a few of those myself. But crappie, not so much. On behalf of guides everywhere, I apologize for your poor experiences.

 

[RUGER]

I have been on a few guided trips.
One was an absolute JOKE, the other wasn't too bad. In fact I would have to say it was good but we started out with some mis-communication on my part. I wanted to catch "stripes" by which I meant "rockfish". We caught true stripes, biggest was about 2 pounds, which was really good but.....
One guide tried, one tried to catch as many fish as he could and spent the time making sure he big holed me and the other guy every chance he got.


The rest of them have been with rsimms.
Always 110% effort on his part and always caught a boatload of fish.
If every guide had to take a test from him before they were allowed to guide there would be alot less bad ones out there.

 

[Kirk]

I have been very fortunate with the two Guides I booked for fresh water trips. Both were absolutely on top of the their games.

Booked Richard Simms 4 or 5 times on "Catfish" trips and each trip exceeded my expectations. You can't ask for a better catfish and general fishing guide. One of my favorite Simms memories is the Gar school we got into below the Chickamauga Dam. it was intense fishing for about 30 minutes. My late Uncle, Bill Young was so hooked on Simms catfishing trips he would drive up from Birmingham with his two grown children to fish with him. All it took was one trip with me and Simms that he tagged along and he was hooked. Uncle Bill was an experienced Gulf fisherman that had probably been on 50 chartered trips. He quit Gulf fishing after he discovered Simms.

The other was Rogne "Rogie" Brown. He is a Bass Guide. Went out with Rogie at least twice maybe three times. I fish so much it all runs together over the years. Rogie wore my ass out. I caught so many Bass my back hurt and my thumbs were bleeding. I ended the trip early because I was physically exhausted.

 

[landman]

I've posted here before (when asked), I don't believe a guide's tip should necessarily be based upon the number of fish caught... but on the individual's level of effort, attitude and demeanor. I hope his tip was "zero."

And I don't typically guide for bass (although we catch 'em)... nor do I offer "guarantees," but had this been one of my catfish trips you would have been offered a "slow day discount."

I've fished with this guy ^^^^^before
Just cause it was 100degrees and we where
Rednecks from Middle TN. He was thinking
he would burn us hot before noon, filled
Cooler before 11 am. My 79 year old father
would have kept him out until midnight, but
I called it about 4pm. Burn the guide out...

If everyone called a GUIDE was like Richard the
World would be a Much Better Place!!!!

Book with No Fear


Mike did you fish with Steve McAdams?
People always seem happy with him,
for crappie anyway

 

[agelesssone]

I'm a guide in Nashville and I hate taking people out for a "boat ride".
If the weather is not going to be conducive to fishing, I'll call the clients the night before and tell them and offer to cancel and refund their deposit.
Like when a cold front comes through. Maybe we caught a double limit the day before but the front moved through and we would be looking at cool clear skies, no breeze the next day.
I would rather not go out and catch 7-8 crappie and I'll give the customer an out.
I am as honest as I can be with my clients....about everything.
We have one guide in my area that, if you live within 200 miles, he won't take you out.
What's up with that?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[blueball]

I've posted here before (when asked), I don't believe a guide's tip should necessarily be based upon the number of fish caught... but on the individual's level of effort, attitude and demeanor. I hope his tip was "zero."

And I don't typically guide for bass (although we catch 'em)... nor do I offer "guarantees," but had this been one of my catfish trips you would have been offered a "slow day discount."

I've fished with this guy ^^^^^before
Just cause it was 100degrees and we where
Rednecks from Middle TN. He was thinking
he would burn us hot before noon, filled
Cooler before 11 am. My 79 year old father
would have kept him out until midnight, but
I called it about 4pm. Burn the guide out...

If everyone called a GUIDE was like Richard the
World would be a Much Better Place!!!!

Book with No Fear


Mike did you fish with Steve McAdams?
People always seem happy with him,
for crappie anyway

Steve McAdams and Andy hicks if your looking for crappie in the paris landing area and you want go wrong[emoji2]

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[TNReb]

I've posted here before (when asked), I don't believe a guide's tip should necessarily be based upon the number of fish caught... but on the individual's level of effort, attitude and demeanor. I hope his tip was "zero."

And I don't typically guide for bass (although we catch 'em)... nor do I offer "guarantees," but had this been one of my catfish trips you would have been offered a "slow day discount."

I've fished with this guy ^^^^^before
Just cause it was 100degrees and we where
Rednecks from Middle TN. He was thinking
he would burn us hot before noon, filled
Cooler before 11 am. My 79 year old father
would have kept him out until midnight, but
I called it about 4pm. Burn the guide out...

If everyone called a GUIDE was like Richard the
World would be a Much Better Place!!!!

Book with No Fear


Mike did you fish with Steve McAdams?
People always seem happy with him,
for crappie anyway

Steve McAdams and Andy hicks if your looking for crappie in the paris landing area and you want go wrong[emoji2]

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Steve McAdams. Haven't thought of that name in forever. I remember reading his stuff in the PI when I was young. Back before these here interwebs!

 

[Headhunter]

I'm a guide in Nashville and I hate taking people out for a "boat ride".
If the weather is not going to be conducive to fishing, I'll call the clients the night before and tell them and offer to cancel and refund their deposit.
Like when a cold front comes through. Maybe we caught a double limit the day before but the front moved through and we would be looking at cool clear skies, no breeze the next day.
I would rather not go out and catch 7-8 crappie and I'll give the customer an out.
I am as honest as I can be with my clients....about everything.
We have one guide in my area that, if you live within 200 miles, he won't take you out.
What's up with that?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I can see your point about the guy who won't take clients who live what he considers close, but I can see his point to. I would be very hesitant to guide "locals". What happens when you guide 100 local people or 50 local people or the WRONG 1 local person and they are fishing the spots you use for guiding and they fish every single day. Public water, nothing the guide can do about it, I can promise you I am careful about who I carry depending on what I am fishing for. I have had issues with a few people and it wasn't pleasant, people who I thought would be decent about things, maybe fish it a couple times a week or every couple weeks, etc. only to go what was my best spot or spots and someone be sitting there fishing them EVERY SINGLE time I go and look at you like you are the a$$, when they had never even thought about fishing how you showed them. I believe I could guide and might even make a little money, probably not a lot, but I prefer to fish for enjoyment and not work.

Also, to me, not 100 percent of the time, but for the most part, if you are a guide and a good one, you do not fish when you are "guiding". None at all. I would not go out with a guide who fishes while he or she is "supposed to be guiding me".

 

[rsimms]

I can see your point about the guy who won't take clients who live what he considers close, but I can see his point to. I would be very hesitant to guide "locals". What happens when you guide 100 local people or 50 local people or the WRONG 1 local person and they are fishing the spots you use for guiding and they fish every single day. Public water, nothing the guide can do about it, I can promise you I am careful about who I carry depending on what I am fishing for. I have had issues with a few people and it wasn't pleasant, people who I thought would be decent about things, maybe fish it a couple times a week or every couple weeks, etc. only to go what was my best spot or spots and someone be sitting there fishing them EVERY SINGLE time I go and look at you like you are the a$$, when they had never even thought about fishing how you showed them. I believe I could guide and might even make a little money, probably not a lot, but I prefer to fish for enjoyment and not work.

Also, to me, not 100 percent of the time, but for the most part, if you are a guide and a good one, you do not fish when you are "guiding". None at all. I would not go out with a guide who fishes while he or she is "supposed to be guiding me".

I'm not saying others with different policies are wrong... but here is where I stand on this issue.

When I take people out... local or otherwise... I INVITE them to take what they've learned from me and fish away... in the exact same spots if they wish. I've been guiding for ten years now, and I have yet to regret that. Look at most of the photos I post and anyone familiar with local waters will know EXACTLY where I am.

I have two reasons for that.... (1) Part of the reason I wanted to guide was to introduce and encourage others to enjoy and (wisely) use the resource. Not only when they are paying me, but all the time. More wise users of the resource... people who care about clean water and good fishing... will benefit us all in the long run.

(2) I do, admittedly, have one caveat to my policy. I tell people that if they do come back and fish the areas I've shown them, please provide me with a fishing report. This has helped me greatly by providing me with many more "eyes on the water." Clients (or former clients) routinely share information with me, which in turn, helps me provide better service for the next clients.

On more than one occasion I have shown up in an area and seen previous clients fishing. Doesn't bother me in the least because there is enough room (and enough catfish) for all. In some cases, they'll actually leave (with a smile & and wave) if I arrive with clients.

Finally, when it comes to successful fishing, the devil is in the details. I know of more than one occasion when others, who know exactly where I fish... and in general, how I fish... have tried to duplicate my techniques and met with dismal failure. Yes, even with lowly catfish the fine details of a proper presentation can make a huge difference.

So bottomline, feel free to fish the areas I show you. Or just call me and I'll tell you where I'm fishing. If you can duplicate the details and catch he!! out of fish, "Awesome!" All I ask is that you give me a report that might help me the next time I head out. :tu:

 

[imograss]

I can see your point about the guy who won't take clients who live what he considers close, but I can see his point to. I would be very hesitant to guide "locals". What happens when you guide 100 local people or 50 local people or the WRONG 1 local person and they are fishing the spots you use for guiding and they fish every single day. Public water, nothing the guide can do about it, I can promise you I am careful about who I carry depending on what I am fishing for. I have had issues with a few people and it wasn't pleasant, people who I thought would be decent about things, maybe fish it a couple times a week or every couple weeks, etc. only to go what was my best spot or spots and someone be sitting there fishing them EVERY SINGLE time I go and look at you like you are the a$$, when they had never even thought about fishing how you showed them. I believe I could guide and might even make a little money, probably not a lot, but I prefer to fish for enjoyment and not work.

Also, to me, not 100 percent of the time, but for the most part, if you are a guide and a good one, you do not fish when you are "guiding". None at all. I would not go out with a guide who fishes while he or she is "supposed to be guiding me".

I'm not saying others with different policies are wrong... but here is where I stand on this issue.

When I take people out... local or otherwise... I INVITE them to take what they've learned from me and fish away... in the exact same spots if they wish. I've been guiding for ten years now, and I have yet to regret that. Look at most of the photos I post and anyone familiar with local waters will know EXACTLY where I am.

I have two reasons for that.... (1) Part of the reason I wanted to guide was to introduce and encourage others to enjoy and (wisely) use the resource. Not only when they are paying me, but all the time. More wise users of the resource... people who care about clean water and good fishing... will benefit us all in the long run.

(2) I do, admittedly, have one caveat to my policy. I tell people that if they do come back and fish the areas I've shown them, please provide me with a fishing report. This has helped me greatly by providing me with many more "eyes on the water." Clients (or former clients) routinely share information with me, which in turn, helps me provide better service for the next clients.

On more than one occasion I have shown up in an area and seen previous clients fishing. Doesn't bother me in the least because there is enough room (and enough catfish) for all. In some cases, they'll actually leave (with a smile & and wave) if I arrive with clients.

Finally, when it comes to successful fishing, the devil is in the details. I know of more than one occasion when others, who know exactly where I fish... and in general, how I fish... have tried to duplicate my techniques and met with dismal failure. Yes, even with lowly catfish the fine details of a proper presentation can make a huge difference.

So bottomline, feel free to fish the areas I show you. Or just call me and I'll tell you where I'm fishing. If you can duplicate the details and catch he!! out of fish, "Awesome!" All I ask is that you give me a report that might help me the next time I head out. :tu:

Richard is a class act not only in words but also in actions.

 

[Grandslam11]

I have two experiences with guides. 1st) We went on a trip to Guntersville. As SOON as I stepped out of my truck the guy started giving me He!! about wearing a UT hat. I don't mean a little grief, I mean cursing and really showing his arse. There were about 6 of us so I just chose to go with one of the other guides. We caught a lot of fish but he stayed on this cell phone the whole time we were out there, and was ONLY there to catch numbers. I asked him multiple time to throw a frog or bigger baits but he insisted we throw shakey heads the whole time.
Trip 2) I connected with RSIMMS about bass fishing on the Chick. He put me in contact with Ben Hayes. Talk about a class act. I would recommend Ben to ANYONE. We didn't catch a ton of fish but we tried and he was great. When we left, I felt like my wife and I had made a friend. I will be going on another trip with Ben when the timing is right. The way I saw it. I could pay a little less and tote my gear down there. Or I could pay a little more, not have any wear or tear on my gear, learn some about a lake i have never been to, and catch some fish. I think a lot of it has to do with your attitude going in.

 

[Headhunter]

I can see your point about the guy who won't take clients who live what he considers close, but I can see his point to. I would be very hesitant to guide "locals". What happens when you guide 100 local people or 50 local people or the WRONG 1 local person and they are fishing the spots you use for guiding and they fish every single day. Public water, nothing the guide can do about it, I can promise you I am careful about who I carry depending on what I am fishing for. I have had issues with a few people and it wasn't pleasant, people who I thought would be decent about things, maybe fish it a couple times a week or every couple weeks, etc. only to go what was my best spot or spots and someone be sitting there fishing them EVERY SINGLE time I go and look at you like you are the a$$, when they had never even thought about fishing how you showed them. I believe I could guide and might even make a little money, probably not a lot, but I prefer to fish for enjoyment and not work.

Also, to me, not 100 percent of the time, but for the most part, if you are a guide and a good one, you do not fish when you are "guiding". None at all. I would not go out with a guide who fishes while he or she is "supposed to be guiding me".

I'm not saying others with different policies are wrong... but here is where I stand on this issue.

When I take people out... local or otherwise... I INVITE them to take what they've learned from me and fish away... in the exact same spots if they wish. I've been guiding for ten years now, and I have yet to regret that. Look at most of the photos I post and anyone familiar with local waters will know EXACTLY where I am.

I have two reasons for that.... (1) Part of the reason I wanted to guide was to introduce and encourage others to enjoy and (wisely) use the resource. Not only when they are paying me, but all the time. More wise users of the resource... people who care about clean water and good fishing... will benefit us all in the long run.

(2) I do, admittedly, have one caveat to my policy. I tell people that if they do come back and fish the areas I've shown them, please provide me with a fishing report. This has helped me greatly by providing me with many more "eyes on the water." Clients (or former clients) routinely share information with me, which in turn, helps me provide better service for the next clients.

On more than one occasion I have shown up in an area and seen previous clients fishing. Doesn't bother me in the least because there is enough room (and enough catfish) for all. In some cases, they'll actually leave (with a smile & and wave) if I arrive with clients.

Finally, when it comes to successful fishing, the devil is in the details. I know of more than one occasion when others, who know exactly where I fish... and in general, how I fish... have tried to duplicate my techniques and met with dismal failure. Yes, even with lowly catfish the fine details of a proper presentation can make a huge difference.

So bottomline, feel free to fish the areas I show you. Or just call me and I'll tell you where I'm fishing. If you can duplicate the details and catch he!! out of fish, "Awesome!" All I ask is that you give me a report that might help me the next time I head out. :tu:

I agree and disagree. Bass and (even more so to me) hybrid and striper guys, and in some cases crappie guys will not honor or respect anything. More power to you if you take people fishing for those fish and show them your best spots and techniques. I have shown many people some of what I consider my most prized fishing secrets and been burned only a few times but those few times were enough to make me what I would call BEYOND cautious about who I carry fishing depending on what I am fishing for, time of the year and how I am fishing. The first time you take someone that you think and even feel you know they will not be absolute a$$e$ after they learn how to catch bass they never have been able to, on for what I consider deep fishing, and then for the rest of that summer or several summers (and in one case I have never fished what was one of my best places ever since, a place I fished for many years and never had an issue and at that right time literally had caught a few thousand bass off of over the years) or you see their buddies holed up on your spot, and not just on weekends or a day here and there but EVERY SINGLE time you go and you have never seen them fish that way before. You may be ok with it but I for sure will not guide, and if I did I would avoid locals to some extent, hate it for you if you feel that is wrong, but it is a fact if you show the wrong person, you may be giving up fishing whatever you show them. The same can be said for stripers and hybrids.

I use and love gps and maps on depthfinders but I would have no problem if we went back to paper maps and a flasher. I caught fish for years by triangulating my spots and using a depthfinder. There is a reason, and it is not good, why some people's most important parts of their fishing gear are binoculars and a gps to mark waypoints.