Four of us are trying to put together a trip -- probably to lousiana -- for 2 or 3 days of hard fishing for trout and redfish. But none of us have a line on a good guide, or the best areas to try. Lots of info on the net, but I'd like some first hand advice if possible.
Thanks in advance

I fished this june with Jeff Dauzat, and
would highly recommend him if you are
going to deep La. his web site is http://www.finandfeatherguides.com/
He would be my first choice.
I have also fished at Hackberry rod and gun,
1 888 762 3391 at lake calcasiu (sp?) and
skip james at Sabine Lake
http//www.pnx.com/sabinelake/index/htm

If you go to Hackberry, They have a lodge,
guides and food available. I felt the lodgeing and guide service was good, but the
food was overpriced for what we got.
Good Luck MO

Thanks Mo. I emailed Mr. Dauzat and a couple of other outfits in the same general vicinity.
We'll see what happens.

We had a great day on specks with Jeff.
Caught 75 really nice ones in 3 hours
without ever moving the boat.
MO

I would highly recommend Hackberry Charters and you can reach them on line at Hackberry Charters.com. The main guide is Mark Huse who used to guide for the Hackberry Rod and Gun club. He has an excellent lodge and some great guides who will put you on the fish. I recently went on a trip for reds and we tore them up even though we had to constantly dodge some squalls. Give Mark a try, I think you will be totally satisfied. Good luck!

Thanks fellas. Can't beat good first hand experience. Probably use one of these for sure.
If it comes together, I'll post results.

Mo and Bassmaster1208,

Promised a reply when we got back with the results.
Tried to book Dauzat but we couldn't make the dates work so we went with Hackberry Charters and Mark Huse.
Had 4 boats out each day. First day we all fished coves etc on oyster reefs, near shore and worked hard for 18 keeper fish on our boat with three fishing plus the guide.
Second day we headed to the rigs, and all of the boats struggled. By 11 am only 3 keepers aboard. Then we went to a jack-up rig a little further out and found a good mess of trout. Boated 30 by the time we ran out of shrimp. Not a great trip, but not bad either. Probably much better in June or October.
Boats were clean, guides knowledgeble, accomodations were fine and wonderfully convenient. Walk maybe 25 feet to the landing. Refrigerators, bar, TV, nice place to kick back, though several fellows all bunk in each room. Dinners were good, lunch was a decent sack lunch and breakfast was rolls, sausage biscuits for the microwave, juice and coffee. At $250/day/man for fishing food and lodging, it seems to be a tad high. But the convenience offsets it.
The only thing that I wondered about -- and this was my first trip for reds and specks -- was the guides, all of them, fished as hard as the clients. At one point ours hooked a nice Ling, which I thought he should have handed to a client, but he took it himself. Maybe I'm off base, but I thought the guide should be tending rigs, taking off fish, and seeing that clients had maximum time with lines in the water.
Whatever, I'll go back and I guess that is the bottom line.
Thanks for all of the help.
CT

CT,

I agree with you. I think $250 per day per man is high for mediocre food and lodging. Also I'm with you that the guide should be tending to business activities taking care of the boat and customers and not fishing. I don't know why, but the coastal guides seem high when compared to freshwater guides. Just my .02 I'm sure others will agree or disagree.

------------------
Ed Utley

When we fished with Capt. Jeff Dauzat,
he fished untill he put us on fish , then
he just netted fish and baited hooks. (if we
needed/wanted help) Our Guide at Hackberry
R&G fished hard, But we weren't catching much
either. He may or maynot have backed off once we were in a school. As far as handing
off the ling , Yes he should have offered.
I was fishing with my ex-father in law
and Guide Mike Beeson below the dam at texoma, Mike(who rarely fishes with clients-
says he is not mad at the fish) set the
hook on a fish and immeadiately tried to hand me the rod. I said no- let Doyld have
it. 10 minutes later there is an 18lb
striper flopping in the net.
As far as the price of fishing Salt vs
fresh, two things run up the price. 1st is
the amount of gas used, Typically you cover
a lot more water fishing saltwater. Second
is the salt water itself. Tackle , boats ,
motors, trailers, all have to be replaced or
maintained more often.
Bottom Line -- Did you have fun?

MO

Like I said -- I'll go back and that really is the bottom line. But I do want to fish with Dauzat. Much more professional in the way he handles his business affairs, follo up, that sort of thing.
Although, from what I hear, there is comparable fishing in Texas water.
Our problem is distance. From DFW we would have to fly to Dauzat, while Hackberry is only 6 1/2 hours driving.
My tempation -- which I need to resist -- is to peddle my Ranger and get into something that is good for Texoma and that I could also haul to the coast. The 23' Kenners that they used look like a good choice. But like I said, I need to resist.