Wow. . . Five years ago, when I started Crappie Fishin’, I thought it would be GREAT to be a Crappie Guide. Well, after cleaning my share of fish (not as many as most), and thinking about having to go out when it’s 103* with full sun, or wind blowing 25mph, or 40* with a 25mph wind, or rain day after day, or all sorts of peril, and after I’ve gone out on two guided trips, I’ve decided that being a crappie guide is WAY HARD WORK. It’s gotta be a stressful job, and frankly, I couldn’t do it for the $$$ they make. Cost of Boat, Truck, Fuel, Etc., Etc., Etc.

I think I’ll stay retired😁😁😁

So, here’s a big ATTA-BOY to all you guides out there. Stay Safe! ! !

Thank you!!!!

I feel the same way ! They earn their $$$.

It`s work for them for sure but most of them embrace the mindset of If you enjoy what you`re doing you never Work a day in your life.

I agree with this as well because it is tough work.
Tip of the hat to you guides.

I'm happy with part time status! 4 days in a row is about my limit! And forget running doubles!!

They for sure earn their money, but it sure beats a real job!!

when I hire a guide I rarely keep fish,, this gives more fishing time, and alleviates pressure off the guide.. having to clean fish on a tailgate in the hot sun or bitter cold is not pleasant.. guides who have access to a nice covered dock, running water, and a nice cleaning table is not bad. but that is not usually the case.
in our status quo mentality, one does it, then they all do it. I used to buy the cheap styrofoam coolers and put the fish in them with ice, and the customer could take them home and clean them. most folks can figure out how to clean a fish and are ready to get on the road and out of the elements..thier adrenaline is still pumping and they are high on life, and ready to go home and relax in thier bliss...
cleaning and bagging fish should be an extra charge. or give an option to take the fish home with them.
I think alot of folks will either tip you or not, and it doesnt matter what you do for them, or how well the trip went. its just thier nature.
I think looking at it on a case by case basis would be wise.
some older folks really struggle to clean fish due to arthritis in thier hands.. I gave an elderly neighbor some fish a while back, and it hadnt even crossed my mind it would be an issue . a few days after giving her the fish, she told me she had a heck of a time cleaning the dozen crappie.. I felt bad abt it and always gave her fillets after that.. it just hadnt crossed my mind.. then I realized she lived alone, and frying crappie for one, was alot of work for her, so whenever we cooked crappie we sent a plate over..
customers like options,, and I think giving customers the option of keeping or not keeping fish, cleaning them for them or having them take them home would work out for everybody.
there is no rule book on how to be a fishing guide,, there is not even a course or ANY qualification to be met. you basically buy a guide license from TPWD once a year and presto, your in business.
you can do it any way you want to do it.. your boat, thier boat, let them follow you around, whatever you want to do that they will compensate you for.
Jezereel there are ALOT of Kayak fisherman out there nowdays and I think you could have a great time guiding in a kayak. let them follow u in your kayak, with thiers. and go from spot to spot.. they provide thier own equiptment and u provide the knowledge. pick and choose the best days and go when u feel like it.