Guide license or business license? Liability Insurance? Boat inspected and CG approved? Need a captains license? Guiding isn't just a hop in the boat and start taking people's money operation. How do you know that you'll be able to find clients if you haven't looked to see how much competition is in your area? I'd start by grinding the google gears for a few hours.

 

Well all I've gotta worry about is finding clients then, but I do know people who use guides very often to help keep business relationship in check.

 

Clients shouldn't a problem with all the new guys getting into the sport, but the wear and tear on the boat, bows, and my favorite is when pulling into one of your spots to see one of your clients from last week fishing it. To me it's not worth the money as you definitely won't get rich or even make a great living off of it. I much rather keep a decent job and fishing with buddies, and takes newbies out as they ask.

 

Don't forget weather, water conditions, clients canceling or not showing up, just some things to think about

 

Good advice, thanks.

 

I've had a few buddies that were guides after college. They all have one thing in common, they lost money on the endeavour.

 

I thought about doing this too-guiding. Seems like too much of a headache for the reasons mentioned above.

Too much liability, too much risk, too much hassle scheduling trips, weather changes....clients treating you, your boat and your gear like crap, stealing your spots...not enough reward to justify it.

 

Hunting guide yes, if you have awesome private property leased up, but issue with fishing or bowfishing guides is it is all on public water and once you take or show your customers where and how to do it like being said can take your spots and do it themselves, I think it can be done in very specialized markets like Louisiana, the a Potomac river or even Chesapeake Bay Area for rays but your probably gonna be lucky to break even and at best be able to write off your boat and expenses but likely not worth it in the long run

 

that works because of the new and exciting factor. guys in those areas do ok because they have fish that you cant get in alot places, i.e rays on the eastern shore, reds, flounder GG in LA, rolling GG and talapia in TX. i did really good in the TN/KY area because of the same reason, i had the water to consistently put clients on bigheads, jumping silvers and spoonies and they could mix bag all that with grassies, commons, buffs, gar etc...that being said, thank god i had more income other than chartering after all the expenses and maintenence, even running 4+ trips a week, i was lucky if i broke 12k a year. think about what you have where you are and make sure you can consistently put clients on them fish. you have to expect theres gonna be nights that no matter what, the fish dont cooperate. when that happens, my policy was always- come back and we'll get em another night at no additional charge, to keep that person happy so they knew, 1way or another, they were garaunteed to shoot a fish with me. which leads to return customers and friends referred...all of that being said. you 150% will loose alot of your fishing spots/ honey holes. those same friendly customers will be your biggest competition, shoot the chit out of your spots, and then be on here 6 months from now asking how to start a guide service. my personal opinion- if you werent a guide 5yrs ago then you missed the boat already. the captains still doing it are because they are good at what theyre doing and they have a reputation you cant touch or compete with

 

Get your capt license, llc and liability insurance (best to find someone that specializes). Get a Web site. Personally I get 10times the business taking people catfishing and or site seeing than I do bowfishing. People are scared to try it, the ones that are already involved either have a boat or want a free ride. Personal opinion don't waste your time or money unless you are on the coast or have already have a solid customer base.

 

Like we really need another "BowFishing guide service" in Oklahoma.
Search "BowFishing" on CL here and every other post is some one offering trips.
I can tell you right now that I've done one guided anything in my life and it was just for a cheap lesson to learn how to do it and for the spots. Is $125 worth showing everyone your spots?

 

If i was to start guiding and I was to take someone to kill a gator gar... $2,700 per person per day. Don't waist your time with the $300 trips.

 

Do it like a side job for fun and extra beer money.

 

best advice I,ve herd!!

 

My outlook on guide service is u need to be in a good location that sets u apart from any1 else. Say me, I'm in Alabama. Ain't noboay gonna pay to go fishing anywhere around. But then take Allen yedor for example he's got a place to take people that the rest of us don't. And can take people out year round

Location location location
And like Brady said, $300 here an there ain't worth the time

 

Wife said she would work while I tried this out for fun. And I'll have side jobs in between.

 

My wife would tell me to find a new wife.

 

some people would pay 300 to see WBG`s hair/beard and to watch him drink beer all night! Money well spent I bet! lol

 

I got to see it for free.....
I still want a refund

 

Here is my abridged version of this thread...
"Hey guys I've got an idea can y'all give me some input?"
"The idea sucks"

...dream smashers :laugh: