I am with you David. I was wondering if I was expecting too much.

You might ask how many trips he is running a day too? Sometimes when it is hot and heavy, they will do two trip and sometimes three a day. I have done two a day a few times,,,fish from 7 to 11, clean fish, done by noon, next group about 2 to 6 and then clean fish...makes a long day cleaning 75 to 100 fish each trip, but we are talking about 3 fish a man....first three keepers you catch go in the box.....nope.......sorry. I want a bigger one. I may have missed it, but tell me again what lake in Arkansas you are going to.

Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions! Are you going for a trophy, a fish fry, relaxation, or quality time with friends or family? Different guides do different things. Most guides have heard it all anyway, just ask. If he doesn't do it maybe he can refer you to someone who does. Once you find one that meets your criteria, rag on'em all day and tip'em well!!

Burnin' gas for 3 to 4 hours might make him consider fishing for a different species.

Mr. Guide could you show me the far end of the lake please?
Thanks...that's nice, but I think I want to take a picture of the other end of the lake please.



I agree with everyone else that has spoken here. I guess it just depends on what you're looking for too. If you're looking for a quick limit, then he might be your guy.
But if you're just wanting some time on the water and just wanting to fish...you might consider someone else.

I'm sure someone around here has used a guide on the lake that you're going to and could recommend one.

Hope it works out for you. But if it were me, I think I'd be cancelling and finding another guide.

Good Luck

During our first communication I stated that I wanted to spend time on the lake with my sons. All are grown so it is not often that we get time alone to spend having fun. When I called him the second time I told him again that my goal was to have fun catching fish. Again he told me how quickly he could catch the fish, then we are "done". He told me I could probably find another guide that did not know where the fish were so it may take them 5 hours to catch our limit. He starts at 4 am and finishes early!
I did not ask him how many trips he runs a day, but I would guess more than 1.
Shadbury it is Lake Quachita in Arkansas. The fish he has been catching the last week are 7 - 10 pounds.
By the way, I did cancel the trip and we will make some other plans.

I think you made the right choice, not that you were looking for my opinion.

But it sounds like to me that this guy is more interested in picking up money than picking up customers.

Just my .02 worth.

If John T cant do it, he can hook you up with someone who can. Just tell him Kevin sent ya

Good choice Rabbit, if you hire a guide for a half day then you should get to fish the full half-day. If a limit is boxed then its catch and release the rest of the day.

I have been on trips when a limit of sandies are caught and the customers high fived me and were ready to get to the house. In that scenario you, and the customer have caught alot of fish and are pretty tired. In the scenario where your limit is 3 thats ridiculous.

I have a real good friend who went to Quahita with his family and his brothes family. They rented a large house boat and stayed on it for four days. I told him to hire a guide to fish one day. They did, he told me the guide was not good, I can get the name of him. Said he smoked the entire time, maybe 3 packs and cussed all day long. They caught some fish, but heard the guide tell another guide that they did not go to his good spots as he was saving them for a weekend trip. Who knows if that was true or a cover or a lie or what, but you do not say things like that even if they are true where the clients can hear them..

They did catch a few fish, but nothing over 12 lbs.

I can understand not catching and releasing due to heat and mortality of the fish, but we did it in July at Beaver Lake and fish seemed to do just fine.