Fellows i just finished reading the thread about guide not being productive and the fellow was not happy etc. The common theme song here was select a full time guide with plenty of experience. How does one know if a guide has been or is full time? There are no records kept of days on the water or years of service..
Question 2... What is an average catch per day on Fork? We can dissect the year into seasons for the average daily catch. ie. winter( ) summer( ) Fall( ) spring( )
Question 3... If a fellow books by himself is a tip still expected?? It is kind of pricey for a single guy, but would a guide be content to have a booking?
I an older fellow that finally finished building my retirement place and when the water returns i will be able to fish at will.. I want to invest in guides to learn all the new methods and tackle along with electronics. As with all investments I am doing do diligence.. I need to hurry I am getting old fast haha..

I just hired a guide for Lake Fork coming up in June. He was recommended from another guide who I originally contacted.
I have no idea the answers to your questions because this will be my first guided trip. Good luck with your search. I would think
word of mouth and maybe a few references would get you a good guide.

book eddie garrett, been there for a long long time and is a great guide.

another member on here and I just went out with him again a couple of weeks ago, good time was had by all and fish were caught.

we both have our own boats on fork but like to go hang with eddie occasionally for a change up.

as to a tip, single or 3 of ya, if they do a good job then by all means tip them.

My wife and I went out with a guide a few years ago. It was early June. I followed him on social media for a while and saw his clients catching fish all the time. When the day was over we caught a total of 3 little bass all day. The guide worked his butt off to put us on fish and probably burned half a tank of gas running from spot to spot for us. I say this just to say that even with a full-time, professional guide, keep your expectations realistic. Sometimes the fish just don't bite. I did not tip the guide at the end of the day, but did buy his lunch. As for the cost, you may see if you can find someone to split the trip with?

I'd also recommend a guide that's been doing 10 years or more. Word of mouth is a good route.
My personal experience and I've used many, is Ronnie Kelly. Good dude and can put you on fish.
There was a guide there named Jimmy Everett. Best I've ever had! That guy was dialed in.
He knew where the fish were like clock work. He kept saying wait till 4pm. That's when we'll get on the big bite.
Sure enough, 345 rolled around and we hauled butt to his spot, marked the fish, tied on swim baits and whacked 5-7 pounders for about 40 minutes. It was unreal. I wish he was still around.

if you catch 15 fish that a good day out there anymore...Some may disagree.