This was my first time to hire a guide and overall it went well - we had a good time.

But the guide would not let us cast the bait! He says that he doesn't allow clients to do that to reduce the number of injuries.

Is this typical for most guides? I thought it was kind of strange. If I was more cynical, I'd say we paid him a lot to reel in his fish!

In some ways, it was a little disappointing compared to previous fishing trips, but I think there's more satisfaction finding/catching the fish yourself (even if you catch fewer). And casting your own bait is part of that experience.

Still, he was hard working for us - constantly moving around to find the fish. We did the fun part, caught our limits and learned a lot.
And it was a great welcome back to fishing: I hadn't been fishing in 20 years! Feels good to be back...

Anyway, I was curious about others' experience

Did he ever allow you to cast the bait at least one time?

I think i would have jump over board. I cast my kids rods out but know one cast mine. all the trips i have been on i cast bait and take the fish off. just my 2 cents. at least you had fun.

I saw this and had to take a "double take." Although he does make a point about safety (full time guides do get hooked quite a bit throughout the season) the only time I'll cast for someone is if they ask me too.

Hi Scpic, and welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the forum. I wouldn't go and I wouldn't pay.

Couple different reasons come to mind when this happens, some guides use spinning rods some use bait casters, the bait casters as we know tend to be finicky (sp?) when it comes to setting the drag and spool brakes depending on who is casting and what weight they are throwing, so instead of dealing with always having to change setting, dig out backlashs, and respool with new line they will just throw out themselves. Another reason is experience level of the customer, sometimes in saltwater the difference between catching fish and not getting a bite is 10', so if the client can't hit the "spot" they do it. Safety I can see, been with friends in my boat that don't pay attention to their cast and have broken rods and even sent a couple overboard (I have actually done this myself too). So to answer your question, some do, some don't but if you ask them not to, they should atleast let you cast yourself.

If the guide is slinging croakers, and as the writer admitted, it's been 20 years since he's fished..they get really expensive to the guide watching a customer continue to hurdle croakies off the hook.

nope. I asked. He explained his reasons and I didn't push it.

We fished with spinning rods and shrimp.

He was very focused on getting us our limits - so hitting the right spot was probably his primary focus. and mentioning safety was probably an easier explanation. Thinking back, I'd probably rather miss my limit and cast (unless it means catching nothing!)

thanks for the welcomes!

This

Is this post real? lmao... I'm kidding obviously... But for you to be refused the option to cast your own bait kinda sucks...

As you mentioned, you were throwing shrimp, so it wasn't a croaker-cost issue... And I've never hooked anyone even when I first started fishing... Never even come close... You're not a 7 year old, right? ;-)

Glad you had a good time, but that wouldn't have sat very well with me... Please PM me this guide's name just to make sure I never book with them...

I let my customers cast unless they ask me to do it for them. But I prefer to let them do it. Cant ever remember having to cast for an adult all day long. Usually if they cant or never casted before I will give them a spinning rod and teach them.

AQUA PIMP

+1

I can certainly see the guide's point of view. I have had guests on my boat that I was sorry I let them cast.

It's certainly something to discuss before you book with a guide.

All I can say is it is a good thing that it was you this happened to and not me. I have been casting ever kind of rig you can imagine including fly rods for over 50 years. If this guide had told me that, I would have told him to turn around and take the boat right back to the dock without paying him.

Taking my rod out of my hand would be close to taking my gun away from me. It ain't gona happen.

Please post this guides name so that those of us who know how to fish never make the mistake of booking with him.