Thinking about guiding...

RyanThoni · Post by **RyanThoni** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:33 pm

Howdy ya'll. My name is Ryan Thoni, some of you may know me already. I just have a few questions that maybe some of you real guides could help me with.
I have been concidering doing guide trips on my loacl waters as a side job. There are ver very few guides directed towards bass in my area becuase it is mostly high mountain trout stuff. I have a clean 2000 champion bass boat. and not to sound cocky, but I do know the waters here pretty well and I am confident that i can get clients on fish.
question is, how hard is it to get a guiding license?
Do you think that I would have any succes because of my age? (20)
What other starting costs would there be? (bonds, insurance, ect.)
Thank You
Ryan

PS
Here is a website I designed for it

www.Mountainbass.com

Otay Michael · Post by **Otay Michael** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:19 pm

Ryan,
The shots of you and all those giant bass will get you plenty of customers. I see where some of the guides I did find in your area, after doing a search on that lake you like, had websites with fish pics that did not hold a candle to yours. I think you will do fine.

But after seeing your fish, and the beauty of that lake, I now want to move up there myself...

paulboroman · Post by **paulboroman** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:05 am

Ryan-

Get your license and you'll have your first client right here! I fished Almanor last year for smallies for the first time and it's amazing. It looks like you also know the trout gig, and I would be very interested in a cross-over trip smallies and trout! If you wanted to do a "trial" run later this spring, I'll pay for gas, launch, lunch, and beer(wait...didn't you say you're only 20!). Keep us informed or email me directly, I might head up to Almanor in May. Good luck!

Paul

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:33 am

You'll definitely want to get your guide license and a bond. To get the license you have to have a surety bond in place. I don't think you're too young at all, it's the fishing experience on the waters you guide on that's most important. All the guide info for Ca DFG is located here: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/guides.html if you haven't found it already. The only other thing to consider is how you'll promote your business. Word of mouth is important, clients will pass on good and bad info depending on which they experience. Sites like this one are here to help draw attention to you as well. I wouldn't hesitate to go after it though. It takes time to build up any business and guiding is no excpetion. But if you like to take care of folks it also has many rewards.

sTony

Root · Post by **Root** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 2:28 pm

Ryan,

I say go for it, and those Bass look like you know something about your home lake. STony and fellow nutcases give great advise. Do something that you wont regret because the biggest regret is sitting in your rocking chait when your old and grey and saying to yourself ..."I should have done that guide service"

But Bro, one little peice of advice....that hat.... Dude thats blackmail material. Check out Bassaholics hats or something with a "I'm bad to the bone" theme

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:12 pm

Ryan,

Good start with the website! The internet is an amazing marketing tool, take advantage of it as sTony mentioned.

There are a few things you'll need. The first is you'll need to get the guides umbrella coverage from your bass boat insurance company. You'll also need to be bonded, DFG requires a $1000 Surety Bond. This should not cost you more than $50. Then you can apply for the license. You can do this online and the DFG will send you the appropriate paperwork. There is a questionaire on this original form that inquires to what qualifies you as a guide. How much DFG really looks at this, I don't know. I only say this, so as to be prepared, due to your age, in case they do question you. Feel free to use me as a reference if needed!

I would also highly recommend a firstaid and/or CPR course to be taken. Also be sure to carry a ready to go first aid kit onboard at all times. You'll also need to keep in mind, if ya choose to do any guiding on that Sacto River up there, you'll have to pursue a Captain's License from the Coast Gaurd as well(this is time consuming). But that won't be necessary if your just guiding the lakes.

Getting the DFG guiding license is really not that difficult. Good luck to you, I know you'll do well and if ya have any further questions, do feel free ta contact me directly buddy! We'll miss ya at the Pro-Teen, but do feel free ta come down and be one of our PROS!

RyanThoni · Post by **RyanThoni** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 5:36 pm

Hey thanks a lot guys, it looks like as soon as I get my license and insurance, and as soon as the lakes warm up here (or even thaw out!) I will be open for business!
I really appreciate your feedback and help, and look forward to being more regular here again,

Ryan

Tornado Dave · Post by **Tornado Dave** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:29 pm

First of all, I say rock on! If you can consistantly put people on fish and give them a good time on the water, then your age is not an issue.

Second, make sure that you run your business like a business and not a profitable hobby. Take the time to fully understand your costs and learn how to control them. Keep in mind that at $200 a day, you are make less than $20 hour gross, then you have to take out expenses, gas, oil, your food and drink, maintenance of the boat... Have you worked out a budget for the season? If you need help with this part, let me know

Last, this is a smoking way to write off all of your fishing and travel expense on your taxes. But unless you have other income to shelter, a loss is a loss.

Good luck,

TD

Good luck, be smart