Well, last Saturday I finally did it. I had been contemplating booking a trip with Slade for a loooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggg time. Yes I am going to do it, not I am not, yes I am, no I am not...etc. Well, I booked one. My friend and I decided to go up two days early and get some bonus time on Lake Fork before meeting with Slade. Had an ok day of fishing, didn't go really far being that I don't know the lake and don't have the boat lanes on my graph. We were staying in Little Caney so that is where we kept the boat. Then comes Saturday.

First off Slade calls me the night before and confirms that I was able to make it and to let me know that he is ready as well. Very much appreciate this. I had one other experience on Lake Fork with a guide and that was a nightmare to the point that I would never consider taking a guided trip again that I paid for. That guide did not do the job I would expect a paid fishing guide to do. Nonetheless that is the past. If I am honest with you I was a bit skeptical about using an electronics guide as I was not sure how much of the instruction/set up I would need.

Slade meets me at the ramp, right on time, and we get ready to put the boat in the water. Slade inspects the location of the ducer mount and is satisfied. We launch the boat and Slade goes to work. I have a Lowrance HDS7, I know not a TV screen but I didn't feel that expense was necessary when I purchased my rig. He went straight to his work going through the settings on the graph and the way he went through the screens and changed various settings it was like he has done this a few times before (tongue in cheek here). When he was finished setting up the graph it looked great! We drove over some areas that he knew about and graphed some things and it was impressive what the graph was showing me and how to use all parts of the graph in concert with one another was great! Furthermore, he loads a fork file on my graph, he says there now you have all the boat lanes on your graph for Lake Fork. Very excited about that as I would love to come back to Fork from time to time just to have some fun.

All in all Slade is extremely knowledgeable and professional. He is patient and will answer your questions. He puts the graphs to work and then shows you the work they are capable of. My buddy with me is an accomplished bass fisherman and he stated that he will be booking a trip with Slade to set up his hummingbirds. This trip was worth every penny that I paid Slade for his expertise. Oh and BTW, did I mention I caught my PB to date after meeting with Slade? A 6.01 and then a 5.11 and then a 4+ in short order. Furthermore, he also set up my little bow graph as well. That thing looks great too now!

Slade's closing comments to me were, you are a customer for life if you have any problems just give me a call and I can generally help you through it over the phone. That's service, that's professionalism and sadly that is a lost ideal in many of today's businesses. Thanks Slade!

Thanks for the report, I have been considering booking a trip with Slade also. I just bought a boat and it has humminbird graphs I would like to know more about. Every time I go fishing I promise myself more time on the graph to figure it out, but I usually end up fishing all day and barely using the graph or just use it in maps and sonar, and not fully comprehending all its capabilities!
Good info! Thanks!

I used him a couple of years ago. You can watch youtube videos and play with them while on the water and learn most everything that he teaches....if you want to spend hours on videos and probably a year of testing on the water or you can go with him and learn more in about 4 hours. He is great at teaching you to maximize your units ability and to read what it is telling you. I've had his trip and probably 4 guide trips on Fork. His was the best trip, hands down.

Saw you guys on the water and after you loaded up, I think. It was in the afternoon. Love the color scheme on that boat!

Thx! Yeah she's older but quite a runner

Great job! I've heard nothing but good things about his ability to set up electronics.

He's a Good dude for sure...

I also took a trip with slade he took his time and set all 3 graphs up perfectly. Upon returning to Conroe I had a few questions. I sent him few text received feedback almost immediately. Good guy and worth the money.

I need to take my old Green Box Lowrance to him and let him tweak it a bit....

I took the trip with Slade back in September and I was very pleased.

I am a tad bit biased by being his friend but in my opinion while he is the best at what he does I also feel he is a better person. He is a stand up gentleman who is passionate about his fellow man and sharing his talents with them.

If you're in doubt ??? take Slade OUT...

Nice write up










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Life Sometimes Sucks. Fishing Always Helps.
piscifun fishing

He adjusts my stuff every other week, and I always get the same response, "QUIT PUSHING ALL THE BUTTONS!!!" Can he talk to me that way???

How much does he charge for a trip?