re: Do you bring your own gear on a charter?

I do bring some of my own gear...rods, reels and new line for the target species for fresh or salt water based on a conversation with the guide...


edit to say if we're targeting large fish offshore I'll only bring one heavy spinning outfit with a few large hard baits to throw at dolphin or tripletail on rips or floating structure...

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If fly fishing I only use mine. My fly fishing stuff is absolutely better than theirs.

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AMEN. Most western river guides expect the "client" to have their own gear...the exception may be someone who books last minute and was only able to do so because they found some free time while in the area...but if it is a planned outing most of them expect you to bring your stuff if you have it...they have fly rods for people to use but fly fishing with a rod you ain't familiar with can be tough. Most of the fishing out west is not overly technical but at times it is extremely so and when it is you will want what you are accustomed to. Handling big flies in the winds normal when saltwater fly fishing is even more technical...hard to double haul with a new rod for most people, even those who are very capable with the rods they are used to. Quality fly rods are also EXTREMELY expensive...so the ones they do furnish are likely to be lower quality. Thats fine for about 90% of western trout fishing...it is not overly technical, almost anyone can do it green as a gourd

Reading this thread reminds me of why I would prefer catching nothing but hardheads and stingrays on my own than a limit of redfish and trout with a "guide". Its bad enough with fishing, its infinitely worse with hunting.

The only time I charter or pay to fish is when I do not have my boat with me. I have been on hundreds of such trips and the numbers of times that they were anywhere near expectation was about 1 in 5. And expectations are low....basically getting back to the hill in one piece and not being on a boat with someone who obviously would prefer being someplace else. Catching fish is waaaaaayyyyyyy down the list.

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Probably one of the best inshore fishing services in the South.

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If that's the case, people won't blink an eye an additional $10 added into the booking fee to get rid of the appearance of having to rent tackle (the practice that most likely caused this issue with the clients bringing crappy gear in the first place).

AS someone else said: strictly from a business standpoint, I'd change the practice and just figure providing rods into the cost of doing business and not have a surcharge for clients to use your gear.

So, i should have the office bill for 1,2 or 3 rod rentals up front even though i only had 2 on the boat because 1 couldn't make the trip. Some mornings i can lose 2 and only fish 1 guy.
Rental rods have been the norm at the lodge for 20 years and rarely does it cause problems. Many days if i only have one on the boat i don't charge, it's up to my discretion.
Numbers; it's my job to find fish and help you catch them whether it's hooking and handing the rod to you or coaching. Most of you wouldn't need any help or gear but you're not my typical clients.
Everyone i ask tells me they can cast and fish but that's pretty far from the truth most mornings.
I dealt with the same mindset when training dogs, >1% could handle a dog out of a wet paper bag but talked a good game.

Yep since 1996 they have advertised boat rides with some fishing on the side.