northern boy who fished it back in Feb. First off, I had such a great time even with a lousy cold front. Temps went from uppers 80s to 30s in four days. Falcon Lake Tackle guys were the best,shipped stuff for us,info and just fun to go there. Stayed at Best Western,great set up with rooms,breakast, and happy hour and staff was super. food in town was okay, hey we were fishing so it was fine. Now , used three different guides between us and found this out,. We feel they fish too much, we had good fishing, they just catch all the big ones as if to tell u here they are fellows.For 400 a day I think when at all possible they could let u have first shot. I really enjoyed my trip through. If anyone from is going for four or so days next year and needs a back seat or two to share expense maybe we could arrange somthing. Thanks guysfor all the info and taking time to let me akinda speak my weak mind.

Thats what we're here for good job!!!!!!

Great job!

Had the same thing happen to me on a different lake. The guide probably caught 4 to 1 and was hitting every good piece of structure in front of us before we could make a cast. I then accidentally(wink.wink.) stuck my rod out when he went to make a cast and gave him a huge backlash. Of course he looked back and gave me a look and I just politely apologizied. About 10 cast later I accidentally did it again and this time he had to cut his line out. It is ridiculous that you pay that much money to watch someone catch the fish. I can see if the clients are having trouble finding the fish or not catching them and the guide wants to show them that they are there. Guide should catch one or two and put his rod down and let the customers catch the fish. Just my 2 cents. Plus I would also accidentally put your rod in their cast, sure made me feel better and I still laugh about it today.

Its all about comunication and figuring out the pattern. If ur catching, the guide does not have to fish but if ur not then they have to help figure out the bite.
All are different personalities and all will react differently.
I fished with Gary Harlin (956-765-3404) on Falcon 2 times now. I will attest that he is the opposite of this post. He nailed a 9 pounder and immediatly started appologizing for screwing up in catching that fish.
We caught plenty of fish as well. We moved to last spot of our trip and he was talking about the area. Me and my nephew put 30 pounds each in the boat off this spot. We noticed all Gary was doing was running the trolling motor and netting fish. Of course that was keeping him busy. We told him put a rod in ur hand. He responded with something close to this is ur trip.
There are plenty of good guides out there and there are plenty that just take ur pay to go fishing with them. But most all will keep u on the water for 8 plus hours and that by itself is work. I usually fish until I get hot. Then Im headed for the AC.

I will not name names on here but you might be surpriseif i told u who we had booked. Booked over one year in advance and still got shuffled around. Like I said still a great trip and will be back soon.

I will share my (fish or not fish)experience with guides I have fished on Falcon.

Gary Harlan - Barely fished. We were way too busy haulin in fish. Gary was a nice guy, full of intersting stories and a customers guide.

Doug Fett - Fished 10% of the time. Wanted you to catch fish. Only fished to ensure there were fish in the area. A dam good stick.

Tommy Law - Fished 100% of the time. Don't get hung up, backlashed, etc. and expect him to stop fishing to help. Not a customer guide, but if you are after a huge sack, being in his boat does not hurt. He will hit the spot on the spot, and if you are lucky you could get the 2nd DD in that bush. lol

Matt Simpkins (sp?) Awesome customer guide, not full time. Great numbers and size.

Hope this helps.

RM

Thanks for the honest reviews...

I've only used one guide for Falcon and Sugar -- Jim Edwards. Had such a good time didn't want to go with anyone else.

I always assumed they would put you on a spot and then sit back and let you fish, I had no idea that they fished. You are using their equipment so there shouldn't be a problem with the lure you were using, maybe a pointer or two as you fish.

I would be pissed if he hit every hole before me.

Real pissed at $400/day.

I agree, my guide was far too busy fishing IMO. I don't own a boat and only get the opportunity to fish Falcon and Fork a couple times a year. I can't (and won't try to) compete with a guide who spends 200 days a year on the water. For my $400 plus a day, I shouldn't have to. From what I've seen it seems to be the "culture" of the guides down there.

I wonder how these guides would feel if they booked an Elk hunt where the guide promptly shot the herd bull 45 min into a trip?

...not on Falcon. You provide your own bait with any of the guides I've seen.

With Edwards, if you want to use his stuff it costs 25 dollars I think. It's a good idea if you want to see what really well tuned gear is for Falcon and to see how it fishes.

Tommy Law will also allow you to use his tackle.

I may have misunderstood I thought he was talking about guides providing bait.