| Do you want to catch that 200 pound cat | | | | their stuff. |
| you've always dreamed of? The right catfish | | | | |
| fishing guide might have the knowledge and | | | | Another factor here is how long they've been |
| experience to help you do that. You can | | | | in business. It's nice to help out a small |
| learn a lot from a good guide, and come home | | | | guide service just getting started, but |
| with a trophy-winner! It's just a matter of | | | | generally the longer a service has been in |
| finding one that really knows his stuff. | | | | the area, the better they'll know their turf. |
| | | | Those companies that have an established |
| Who Needs a Fishing Guide? | | | | presence in a particular area are the ones |
| | | | you want to pick. |
| Why would anybody need a fishing guide? You | | | | |
| just drop that line in the water and wait for | | | | Also, companies that have full-time guides |
| them to come along, right? Wrong! There's a | | | | are generally better. These guys are |
| lot more to it than that, and unless you've | | | | experienced. They spend as much of their |
| spent some time out there with no bites, you | | | | lives as possible catching cats, and this |
| have no idea how much help a guide can be. | | | | experience can help you land the cat of your |
| Plus, you can learn from their expertise and | | | | dreams. That's not to say that all part-time |
| knowledge. | | | | guides are bad, but they are more likely to |
| | | | be hit-or-miss. Guys who spend all day at it |
| Catfish guides are experts at what they do, | | | | are generally going to be more experienced |
| and that is why they are guides. They are | | | | and knowledgeable. |
| usually trophy winners themselves, and they | | | | |
| have turned catfishing into an art form. | | | | You can also check out their track record. |
| They can also help out, taking some of the | | | | Be nosy and ask. How many fish do they catch |
| trouble of organizing your trip, getting gear | | | | in a day? How big are they? What trophies |
| and getting set up. | | | | and awards have they earned. You know how |
| | | | fishermen are, they'll be more than happy to |
| Licenses | | | | show you their walls of photos and trophies. |
| | | | Bragging is second nature with us! |
| First off, make sure that the guide you pick | | | | |
| is officially licensed and insured. Sure, | | | | Gear |
| you might get lucky with so-and-so's uncle | | | | |
| whose been fishing this lake for years, and | | | | See what kinds of things they'll furnish for |
| offers to be your "guide" for a 12-pack of | | | | you. This depends on your own needs, of |
| cheap beer. But, if you don't want to take | | | | course. Guide services will provide for you, |
| chances, go with the pros. | | | | at the very least, a boat. Check out what |
| | | | kind of boat they can line up for you and see |
| The main thing is that you want to make sure | | | | if it suits you. Some services offer to |
| these guys do everything by the book. There | | | | provide you with all the gear you'll need for |
| are tricky laws in different states and | | | | your fishing trip, so you won't have to bring |
| different areas, and they should fish legit. | | | | anything at all. |
| | | | |
| Knowledge | | | | If they provide the gear, check it out and |
| | | | see how the quality is. Usually, these guys |
| Now, probably the biggest advantage to | | | | know that the gear is what keeps some of |
| getting a guide is that every place is | | | | their customers coming back, and they keep |
| different. Catfish lurk at the bottom of | | | | the best stuff possible on hand. |
| almost every body of water on this continent, | | | | |
| so you want somebody who knows the cats in | | | | On the other hand, you might prefer a guide |
| that particular neck of the woods. Cats are | | | | that lets you use all your own gear. This |
| everywhere, but they aren't the same | | | | will depend on your preference. Catfish |
| everywhere you go, so you need that expertise | | | | guides are a great resource for gear |
| to find out when and where they are. It | | | | recommendations. Using a guide's gear also |
| really takes a local to know those spots | | | | gives you a chance to try out something you |
| inside and out. Everything differs by area; | | | | might not otherwise try. Always check to see |
| when to fish, what gear to use, how to cast | | | | what they offer in the way of furnishings. |
| your line. These guys should definitely know | | | | |