Just curious what folks think about this one.

yes

If I'm paying, no. But plenty of people are ok with it. It is something that needs to be discussed at the time of the booking. I have no interest in watching someone else catch fish, unless he is teaching me a technique I am not familiar with.

Sure,, Why not?? Every guide I have hired has always fished, and if we happened to get on a spot that was yielding alot of fish, then the guide would usually set their rod down and let us have it! I've only taken 3 guided trips, all on fork,(Hoffman, Everett, and Peterson) so I assumed this was a common practice.

Something else, I learn just as much from watching the guide fish as I have never taken a guided trip to "catch alot" of fish. I always use guides for learning new techniques and pick up an extra spot or 2.

As long as the guide pretends I'm the better fisherman and allows me to catch the most and the biggest fish...

I want the guide to fish. I think it's part of the fun.

No. But that's not to say he shouldn't get a line wet. I do think he has a responsibility to his clients to show them how to catch them--and probably to show the client that the spot has catchable fish. So...
Pull up on a spot. Show the client the fish finder and explain why you think this is a good place to fish. Drop the trolling motor. "What you are trying to hit is...right...over...there." Splash. "It's about 20 feet deep, so pull out line so it falls straight down. Once on the bottom, I...fish on. Now, you do it, I'll hold us in place."

VERY LITTLE!!!

I do not mind a cast or two at a spot but more than that is an issue!

I should add that if the client isn't catching anything, the guide needs to get a line in the water to help build confidence in the spot.

Yes

Absolutely. There are reasons for it as well.

Having him show you how to fish a spot.
Having his help see if they are there and biting.

I've been fortunate enough to have taken at least 50 guide trips over the last 5 years or so and I always want them to fish but I have seen times when we are really on something that the guide will stop fishing. Nothing bothers a guide more than when he catches a big one and his client doesn't but it's going to happen.

I've also become close friends with a well known guide and we actually play a betting game during the trip so I won't let him put his rod down!

Yep

I completely think so, as long as the client is not being neglected in any way. I want to watch where he cast and his technique. Plus I think everyone has more fun that way.

It is funny. I have been out with guides for saltwater, flyfishing, sturgeon and salmon. And not one of them has ever fished. Bass guides are the only ones that do fish. It may have something to do with sitting in the front of the boat.
If you want to learn from them they will have to fish but I find most of the time they cast to the choice spots first, which isn't right if they are taking your money.

I'm perfectly ok with it! The guides I've had fish along with us, and I say, if we're having a blast, then go on and have a blast with us!