I think some would be surprised how some guides got started. Anyone can be a guide. Cater to the customers, and if you want to stay being a guide you have to put people on fish. Market yourself. Be on a lake people want to fish.

This is very good advice. You only have one chance to make a first impression.

Also, marketing is key also. Learn as much as you can about social media, forums, etc. Create a professional website and maintain/update it regularly. Always take pictures of your clients with fish. People love to see themselves with fish in the public eye. If you please the client, that's your biggest battle. Repeat business and their word of mouth is your best advertisement.

This is a good site to grow your business/ or sink your business too!

Be willing to "Cater to the Customers". Many so-called "GUIDES" are only looking for a free fishing trip so they can SHOW the clients how good that HE can catch the fish. It's not about getting a free paid fishing trip. If you look at it in that point of view then you won't get many repeat customers or they will just steal YOUR spots and wave at you when you show up. It's like any SERVICE RELATED Business. You have to keep your CUSTOMERS HAPPY and coming back.
It's not just about having the License and the Insurance and a boat. AND it takes LOT'S of PATIENCE!!!

Thank you all for all the awesome advise! I don't see being able to do this full time. I do see this as a way to spend my spare time on the water and doing what I love. I have been on trips that seem like it's all about how well the guide can catch. The only way I would pick up a rod is to demonstrate proper technique and show some one how it's done. So the next question I have is price? My cost is 30$ In fuel for an average day and 25$ wear and tear for tackle and line depending on experience of anglers throwing one of my bait casters. To start 200$ for a full day and 100 for a half??

You will go broke at $200 for a full day unless you are taking two minimum...
Best of luck to ya...

Id charge what most any other guide would charge

Really good advice from the previous posters, I decided to do this at age 40 after working all my life in the rat race. I do miss the nice fat paychecks, but I sure in the heck enjoy my office view. I am fortunate to have built rentals 1st and didn't even want to guide in the beginning, because of my love for tourney fishing, but after looking at the potential income I decided to guide. I enjoy people so the transition has been very rewarding for me. Remember you only have one chance to make a 1st impression if you blow that you lose more than just that customer.

Be prepared to fish in most all weather conditions (wind). According to you, you are able to consistently find and catch fish. If so, great. But, being a "part-time" guide can also be a red flag to some prospective customers. Personally speaking, I would be a little reluctant to hire someone and pay normal guide prices for someone who isn't on the water daily, staying on top of the prevailing fish patterns, etc. You don't get to pick just the pretty days, especially if this is a weekend venture. I say that because only fishing weekends doesn't give you as many opportunities (days) to reschedule trips. I think you might find that your actual expense is slightly higher than you project. Fuel, higher insurance costs, tackle, boat repairs, etc can add up quick. If you're chunking crankbaits, it wouldn't take long for clients, especially lesser experienced ones, to hang up and break them off quick, lol, been there done that with friends in the past. Other than that and what was previously posted, go for it if you have the passion and financial stability for it. Just know up front that not all customers will be pleasant as each has there own reasons and expectations when paying for a fishing trip. If you don't meet those, or the customer feels you didn't meet them, be prepared for negative feedback, it happens.

Good luck to you.

Always tell your customers the fish are biting, regardless.

LOL! And have a repertoire of excuses in your back pocket when you don't catch em.

Heck, at $200, your boat, your fuel, your tackle I'd go just to be chauffeured around! You gotta charge more than that.

Life is short buddy and that's no joke. Live it the way you want and do what makes you happy regardless of the naysayers. Do it. And if you don't like it, do something else.

Ain't that the dang TRUTH!

It's easy go buy the license you're a guide.
But you're already getting off on the wrong foot thinking you'll make extra money it's a hard job with long hours and lot of them you don't get paid for.

If you have a older boat better have extra money for break downs because that's going happen more then a newer one that's why most have a new boat each year.

You think you have enough fishing equipment you'll find out you don't get ready spend more on that also if you go cheap and have cheap stuff your customers notice.

Ha! Love this one.

Change your name to Red Champion. It works well with the ladies.