Brad Chappell says teaching is a major part of guiding. It may be simple casting,
rigging a jig or teaching basic to complex electronics. (Photo: Tim Huffman)
Crappie Guide Do’s and Don’ts
by Tim Huffman
You pay good money to hire a guide. So, what are some things you can do to insure you get the most from your trip?
Brad Chappell is a long-time, successful guide in North Mississippi, including lakes known for the big crappie. He’s fished many tournaments and is on the pro staff for several top companies including BnM, Bobby Garland and others. He also does the Crappie Connection podcast. He is known as a long line trolling expert but like other pros, is now using live imaging sonar (LIS).
David Jones is a guide on Green River Lake in Kentucky, one of the top lakes in the country for numbers of fish. He has years of guiding, won a Crappie USA Championship and is pro staff for Cornfield Fishing Gear, BnM, Brushpile Fishing, Crappie Magnet and others. He is known as a slow trolling expert but also accomplished using LIS.
Here’s what the two professionals have to say about getting the most from a guided fishing trip:
Why Hire a Guide?
Chappell: “A guide trip is a good investment. They have all the proper equipment and know where the fish are located. A guide will make you a better fisherman when you go out on your own. He can save you a lot of time if you are wanting to learn a technique like using (live imaging sonar) or trolling. If you simply want a day on the lake catching fish, it’s the best way to do it.”
Get Started Right
Chappell: Do “Hire the right guide. It’s easy for someone to say and advertise as a guide. Check them out on-line and call them. Ask them to tell you about their experience. A good guide is proud of his accomplishments and experience so will tell you. For example, I’ve had years of guiding experience, am a tournament fisherman and have good sponsors. The sponsors are often a clue to a guide’s professional level.”
Jones: Do. “It’s important to find out things that are important to you when hiring a guide. Ask the right questions. How will we be catching fish? Will you be catching fish too? It’s okay to ask about numbers of fish and size common that time of year, but know that many factors can alter those, so there are no guarantees. Is the trip over when we reach our limit, even if we have a couple of hours left? Does the guide clean the fish? Anything that’s important to you, ask before hiring.”
Chappell: Do. “Communication before and after hiring a guide is important. Do let a guide know what you want from the trip and your fishing capabilities. If clients are just starting out, they will need to be taught the basics. If person wants to learn a specific technique, I need to know ahead of time to be prepared for the trip. I want to provide exactly what they want, so the more I know the better trip I can provide.
Jones: Don’t. “At my lake, the best fishing time is the first three hours of the morning. Don’t show up late. Here in Kentucky, we have different time zones so get the right one. Also, don’t come underdressed. When it’s cold, you can take off clothes, but you can’t put them on if you don’t have them. In summer, protect your skin. And don’t insist on doing things your way. Listen to the guides. Most guides are on top of what’s happening and know how to catch fish.”
Chappell & Jones: Don’t bring your own gear. Guides know their boat and gear inside and out. If it’s a client, they don’t know if line is old or the right size. Guides have everything needed. Don’t forget to bring items the guide request you to bring like drinks, food, raingear, etc.
Catching Fish
Chappell: “I want my client to catch the fish. However, when showing how to do a technique, I will first show how to do it and that includes catching a few fish. I’m teaching and guiding, that’s what I do. Almost all the time that works, but sometimes they just don’t get it. They must understand that I can put them on fish, tell them how to catch them, but catching them is up to the client. Also, there are times a client wants me to fish. Other times I may be helping a special needs person fish.
Chappell: “What fish do we keep? For conservation purposes and to preserve the lake for the future, I prefer that clients keep a wide variety of sizes from the smallest legal fish up to their largest. I don’t want them to take all large or mid-sized, mix it up from small to large. Also, it’s legal for me to give clients my fish and that’s fine with me, but it’s not legal for them to catch my fish.”
Jones: “I always show them how and then put my poles up. If they ask me to fish, I will. If I do fish, I can legally give them my fish. My lake is great for catching numbers of fish. If a legal fish is caught, it goes in the live well. When the limits are caught, the trip is over. If clients are fortunate to catch a limit and have a good time on the water, they should be satisfied.”
Tipping
Many sources outside the industry suggest tipping guides between 10 and 20 percent.
Jones: “How much should you tip? It depends upon how hard your guide works. If he works to find spots, teaches you and makes sure you have fun on the water, then a good tip is appropriate.”
Chappell: “If you come off the lake and you’ve enjoyed your day on the water, I think a tip similar to a restaurant, 20 percent, is about right.”
One guide service owner I know says, “Whatever a client decides to tip me or my guides, if anything, is totally up to them. The only thing I suggest is that if they do decide to tip, it should be based upon the guide’s attitude and effort, not just based on how many fish you catch.”
Final Notes
Chappell and Jones say it’s important to them that a client catches fish. Listen to the guide. The main goal is for everyone to come back safely and have a great day on the water. Therefore, don’t forget to ask questions, do stay in communication with your guide, and do go expecting a great, fun trip.
For some suggested questions you should NOT ask a guide, check out this story.
Tim Huffman is co-founder of CrappieNow Magazine and is currently senior writer. Check out his crappie-fishing books on Amazon.
