Quote:
Originally Posted by big nd fan
I am wanting to book a trip this Monday Nov 4 and take my son and wife fishing. I would like someone who has patience with a novice fisherman.
I have book trips in the past and they really did not work out well with the wife. Any advice would be appreciated.
Big ND Fan
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I've taken a lot of guided trips with my wife and daughters over the years, so I know what you mean. Unfortunately, W is the only Big Lake guide I've fished with.
The guides that have treated the women and children well tend to be willing and even eager to use live (or fresh) bait and to be happy enough letting them catch things other than specks if that is what the day is giving you. A good guide wants to make his customers happy, and if that means catching spanish mackerel, sheepies, redfish, etc., then that's what he'll do even if it means he won't have a photo with a limit of trout to post to his FaceBook page.
Inexperienced anglers don't do as well targeting specks with artificial lures because this often requires some proficiency in casting, either distance or accuracy or both, and less experienced anglers aren't as good at this. On the other hand, just about anyone can effectively fish bait on the bottom or under a popping cork.
Guides balk at bait for various reasons: elitism, cost, convenience, etc. But talk to them and let them know the experience level and interests of your crew. Almost any guide will claim on the phone a willingness to accommodate your needs, so you have to read between the lines a bit.
I also have better experiences with guides who wait until a day or two before the trip to confirm a meeting place (boat ramp) until they have the best available info on where the fish are biting. Guides who always, always, always fish out of the same place are making you come to them and may be saving money on gas, rather than working hard to put you on the fish. I've been very pleased with guides who simply say, "It ain't happening near my usual launch, let's meet on the other side instead."