For me it is fine and I have them fish all day. I understand those who dont as well. Kinda depends on the situation. I have never had a guide do anything like the bad experiences mentioned above-those sound bad-ouch.

Absolutely. I might just learn something new about the lake or techniques he is using. I have been fishing for over 60 years and I still learn something nearly every time out.

Very well put, as well...combine this with what Fouz and TTU typed, and there's your answer.....JMO

Nope!

The only guide I have fished with is Lance Vick. Haven't had a reason to not give him repeat business. When it is an easy bite and everyone is catching fish, Lance will help us catch them. Im there to see good fish get caught. I would be plenty happy if while I am reeling in an 8 that I wouldnt have found on my own, my guide doubles up with a ten. I had a fish on anyways, I wouldnt have caught that DD. But I've seen Lance put people on bed fish all day too and never make a cast. It is on a case by case basis.

For you guys that don't think they should, what exactly are you worried about? Do you think that they are going to catch all the fish. Now If your talking about them front ending you all day that's one thing but them just fan casting around, what's the big deal. I think some people spend life looking for a reason to be mad.

Yes, absolutely.

If you want a guide who really knows the lake, go with a guide who fishes with you.

If he doesn't put in time on the water he's going to be a lousy guide. Watching you fish doesn't count.

went with a guide a couple years ago in the spring and the fish hadn't been predictable to say the least at this time on the lake, which he told us on the way out there and that he would bve fishing too until we got on them. of course we pull up to the first spot and he tells me he's going to throw out along the channel and tells me to throw up on the flat, well second cast i get a fish, third cast another one, then as we move along he swing's and misses and tells me to throw out on the channel and bam, i got a 5 lber. so he says go back to the bank and i did, we contiued on like this with slow times and fast furry's and as the day progressed i noticed that on these swing and misses he was actually shaking the fish off and then missing it on purpose to get me excited and make me focus when i threw out there. i would watch his line jump on slack line then he would ease up on it til it went limp then set the hook and nothing, hey throw out there i just got bit. after lunch i told him i wanted him to start catching fish too, that i was already very pleased with my day and the afternoon should be treated as a buddy trip and he should catch em too. btw anytime i got consecutive bites his rod went down and he was totally focused on me catching. i guess what i'm rambling about is that when a guide has a rod in his hands there is probably a reason. i'm sure there is exceptions but the ones i've been around have been professional and obviusly primarily concerned with your day not theirs. either i just catch em better than he does,lol. some people actually would think that in this situation. guides are really good at what they do, better than most people are at their jobs. if you don't like em don't pay em.

Lots of things come into play on this ? I think its something that should be disscused before you book the guide. If its spawn and the water is clear like site fishing he has no reason to fish. If hes puting you on specific structure no reason to fish. That being said it also depends on what level of experiance you have. does he need to show you tect or are you top notch and trying to trouphy fish water you just dont have time to learn. Its something that just needs to be talked about before you book.

I want the guide fishing so I can watch and learn.

I have not hired a guide ever before. But i might after summer on Fork or Falcon. Not sure yet. Probably Falcon. But i wouldnt mind them fishing. I would want to be on the front deck though and let me hit the best spots first.Since i am the paying client. Just my

Depends on the clients request. I always ask if they want me to. If they say no, and they are not getting bit on a spot, I would tell them I want to check the spot with a couple of cast prior to running all over the lake.
I remember one trip that I did not fish and I knew there were fish in the area. I kept asking the clients if they were getting bit, they said no. I finally asked to see their baits to change colors and saw that their lizards were so badly chewed up that they would barely hang on the hook. I had forgot to teach them what to "feel" for when getting a bite. They wanted to go to another spot, I picked up my rod and caught 4 fish in 5 minutes. Ended up we stayed put and had a great day.
If the fish are biting, the guide should NOT beat them up. If the fish are not biting the guide should definitely help search..

It all depends on the clients skill level and ability. If they are catching I am on the trolling motor if not I help searh and develop a pattern, if requested I teach a technique by example. The point is to have fun and provide the client with the ultimate fishing experience

YES!!! I love the guide fishing. It makes me more competitive and if he is really good he can even get the bite have time to hand me the rod and let me set the hook (imo the best part of it) to reel in the fish. Not to mention when I went out with Lance he would throw in an area that was ahead of the school to help me keep right in the middle of them.

I always want the guide to fish. Most of the time we are competing anyway. I've given Oldfield quite a few $1 bills for first fish.