I think I'd charge MORE BECAUSE GAS IS CHEAPER!!! The average non fish catching fool has more disposable income. Lol


I'd take advantage of the fact they don't know how or where to fish. Lol.

They should raise the price .

To the person that argued boats, don't cost 40,000.00 now days.
I would be happy to fish in a 40,000 boat, its still a nice boat.

we don't need the newest biggest boat, just to guide.

I know I'm gonna' step in it here but this is the only problem I see. I'm fine with guides charging whatever they want to and whatever the market will accept. However, pressure from other guides to keep prices "in line" is called price fixing, it's illegal, it stifles competition and I've heard too many times about it happening here at Fork.

If a new guide can't offer whatever promotional rate he/she wants, that guide faces an uphill battle to get business. As a customer, if you're gonna end up paying $450 for a guide, who would you choose: the veteran who has been here since the lake opened or the guy who moved here last year from out of state?

They earn their money. It just isnt worth $450 plus tip for me to fish Fork. Fork isn't all that it used to be.

I thought the same thing...didn't seem right.

I see both sides of this argument.
Barry addressed a situation I have an issue with, and there is simply no way to avoid it other than customer research.
I've been guiding on Fork since the Lake was 17ft below pool, before it filled up.
I have accomplishments, both on Fork, and In Professional BASS competition that most of the guides combined won't accomplish.
First, they don't have the fish on Fork that I had when I was running 225-250 days a year, second, they don't run enough days to put money back to save for the cost of Professional tournament fishing.
They are all good guides, and have grasped newer techniques that allow them to be competitive with us old guys.
They are very good at social media, and are able to promote themselves easier than I was back in the day.
I've made a fair living guiding on Fork my whole life, and incorporating my Archery shop, after the setback the LMBV caused in '99, I've been able to survive on the fewer trips.
I simply cannot promote the bass fishing as it was years ago.
I don't justify my price to anybody, nor do I apologize for my price.
I never raised my price above $350.
I do get paid, on group trips, whatever the booking guide charges.
I have done my best to keep my overhead lower than others.
I had to dig up a jar of money to get thru January though.

Guides aren't for everyone. They are mainly booked by those with disposable income. If some young ones cut the rate generally they get a new client base. Someone with disposable income usually books a guide they have used before and had good service from or one with a reputation built over time.

Whether a guide is $350 or $450 really makes much less difference to me than the guides reputation and the effort they make. Those in it for the long haul know what their customers want or they starve.

The once in a blue moon guide trip is part of the guides business but the repeat customers are the base of their business.

there is so much that could be written on this subject.
both Pros and Cons

Yes, my paycheck and lots of others are even worse and have been laid off

They will stay where they are as that is what the market will bear.


Question for the OP as I understand you run a plumbing business.....have you dropped your rates since the price of fuel went lower?

$450/10 hrs days=$45.00 an hour. I would not work for 45 an hour if I had to pay my own taxes, health insurance, social security, and business expenses no matter how cheap gas is or isnt...

Was the plumber fun to hang out with? Did he let you use his equipment? Did you want to have him over again soon? Did he teach you how to do it yourself? Did you feel like your friends or clients would like to have lunch with him at Tiffany's?

Lots of great opinions on here. And it's nice to see it staying civil.

Good point about other guides putting the heat on the younger guides if they charge a little less to get their business going. If that is happening. That's no good. Competition is good. I would personally pick the guides with a good reputation before a rookie to save $100. But the option should be there if a kid is getting going.

I think the guides can charge whatever in the he77 they want to. It's up to me if I want to pay it. More power to them! I hope I can keep spoiling myself with guide trips occasionally.

But, if I do pay it. That guide should remember that no matter what he makes a year, I had to work 1/2 a week to take home the money it costs me to pay them for a day's fishing. It's a lot of money to me. And it should be treated that way. Most of my charter fishing has been for redfish. Some times keeping the guide out until 2:00 turns into a battle royal. The only Bass guide trip I have taken so far was on Fork, that was not an issue then.

Just treat me like you are a part of a special trip that I have looked forward too for months.

this is not going to be popular.

I have suggested this before: but try this.......
Pay for Performance:
Base rate for expenses---$200
additional:
zero fish --- $0
1-10 --- $x
10-15 -- $X times 2
6 pound + --- $100
DD --- $200

I have fished with 3 guides on Lake Fork and have yet to catch any significant fish or for that matter fish any spot that I have not fished myself in my own boat.

Bassin Billy Tompkins on Falcon is the only guide that I have fished with that has put me on significant fish. Broke my PB 4 times in 2 days on Falcon.

you mentioned a plumber charges $100 per hour,,,,OK
BUT if he does not fix the problem he has to come back out for free,,,,,,his work is guaranteed.
Car repair ,,,,, work guaranteed

why does a fishing guide get work like the weather man ,,,,,,,, even if he gets "it" wrong he still gets paid.
I have only seen one guide on here "guarantee" his work.