Going to be spending a weekend at the end of September with some friends. None of us have ever fished it. Worth getting a guide one morning or do you think we could find the fish on our own? Any guide recommendations?

I go second week in Sept.

You might find fish, points and flats off the river channel are spots to look. Live bait is your best shot at stripers and it can be hard to come by. If you really want to CATCH fish, try to book a trip with Clay Yaden( reel deal guide service) or Pat Small. They WILL catch fish every time.

Depends. How good a fisherman are you? Can you study and read maps? I have no problems taking my boat and going to strange lakes and feeling confidant I can find and catch fish. Especially if I have a couple of days. If you have trouble catching fish on your home lake you are probably gonna have trouble on a foreign lake. Lot of good guides on Whitney.

I am the Striper King

I think fishing guides are worth the money if the goal is to put meat in the boat or learn a few spots to fish. Most of us learn a few new methods when fishing with guides too. If you are giving a try yourself in late September I would recommend drifting live bait on the flats between the island and Whitney State Park. That area will hold some fish as the water temps start to drop. Live bait, either grande size minnows or perch can be bought at that Bait/Tackle shop on HWY 22 about a mile toward the damn from the intersection of 933 and 22. If you are an artificial bait guy then I would drift that same area using 1 ounce jigs bouncing off the bottom, but in my opinion, live bait is King for stripers.

get a guide .
Clay Yeldon ( Reel Deal Guide)
Dan Swindell ( Big D guide)
Gary Jackson (Action Jackson Guide)
are all great guys and know the lake well and flat out catch fish.