Has anyone ever used a kayak fishing guide?

[pistol]

Hi group, my name is pete, I am new to your club. I am curious to know what that experience was like? how many people were out there? how long did you fish? and would you do it again. thanks
pete

[RedFinn]

Hi group, my name is pete, I am new to your club. I am curious to know what that experience was like? how many people were out there? how long did you fish? and would you do it again. thanks
pete

Hi psycho joe, it was me. My name is pete and that was the first time I fished out there and I caught 27 trout that day, the biggest was about 2#. I have fished out there about six or seven times by now and its about the same every time out. I was out there this past sunday and caught about 45 trout kept 25 biggest was 3.5. about ten were around 2#. I have a pro 2 tandem. I will be out there sat and sun if you want to join me let me know... looks like you might be the guide.. pete

[GreenWave]

My girlfriend and I chartered with Danny Wray of Calmwater Charters in Grand Isle. He is well know to many club members for his passion and commitment to the sport. We had a great time, learned a tremendous amount about kayak fishing, and caught a mess of trout. We stayed at his camp and enjoyed Kristen's wonderful home cooked meals. Everything was top notch and we'd do it again in a heartbeat.

The last I heard, the oil spill had forced Danny to sell off a good part of his kayak inventory. Fishtaco got a good deal on a couple of Native Ultimates. I don't want to highjack this thread too badly, but does anyone know if Danny is back in business yet?

[Nobody]

Hi group, my name is pete, I am new to your club. I am curious to know what that experience was like? how many people were out there? how long did you fish? and would you do it again. thanks
pete

Why do you need a guide? Sounds like you know what you are doing. If you are just looking to explore new areas, try the "Hook Up" thread on the Forum.

[pistol]

P J thats what I have been thinking about doing and since I have a tandem kayak I would sit in the back and put the fisherperson up front and let them fish while i padddle change baits etc. I am curious to know if people would enjoy that more than being in a kayak on their own. Also I do have some pics of those fish, but the camera is back in lacombe but I will get them up.

[Musicdoc]

I agree with Psycho Joe. Don't know why you need a guide. Sounds like you know what you're doing. I'd check the hookup page. Most of us bring a camera with us and if you're nearby, we'd be happy to snap a few photos of you and your fish. I personally don't like tandem rigs. Part of the beauty of kayak fishing is you are free to venture where you want. With a partner in the boat (especially if you're in the back) you get what I call "sloppy seconds." If the guy in the front is a good fisherman/woman, then he/she is like a big vacuum that sucks up all the fish before you get a chance. I rather got with a buddy who can fish one side of the bank while I fish the other. We're close enough to enjoy each other's company without limiting each other to casting opportunities.

[swamppro]

Sounds like he wants to offer guide services in his kayak. Pistol, look into the legalities of it for guide services and chartering

[Where Y'ak?]

Captain's license? If actually taking a person for hire in the same kayak with you, it's possible you may need a captain's license. I'm not sure if a non-motorized kayak would fall under the requirements of a vessel for hire (Section 2101 of title 46,of the United States Code)

[swamppro]

Where yak if I am not mistaken you need it but not sure. I was trying to look it up online but got side tracked with little one.

[Sandman]

I don't want to highjack this thread too badly, but does anyone know if Danny is back in business yet?

I saw an article by him in the October 2010 issue of Marsh & Bayou last night. In the article he talks about a successful recent kayak trip and they have his business (Calm Water Charters) and his number (225) 721-8182 posted in the article. I'm not sure if that's for the kayaks and boats, but I do believe he is back in business to some extent.

On a side note, he included a good plug about FNT:


One noteworthy event upcoming is the Fifth Annual 'Fall N Tide' to be held on October 16th at Delta Marine. This is a premier event and will draw a crowd. Details can be found on the web at www.bckfc.org.

[revredfish]

I always understood if you want to bring someone in your boat with you - you need the captain's license. There are a few who offer "guided" trips but I would avoid the language "guide" or "I'm a guide". I call it a "spiritual adventure" which may or may not include fishing.

[Nobody]

I always understood if you want to bring someone in your boat with you - you need the captain's license. There are a few who offer "guided" trips but I would avoid the language "guide" or "I'm a guide". I call it a "spiritual adventure" which may or may not include fishing.

Yes and you will not get a ticket. You may however be REQUIRED to voluntarily give WLF some money.

[Choupique]

I’ve done this a couple of times already, and contacted LAWF and they told me I’m ok as long as they have a fishing license all is well. I call myself an*“outfitter” vs. a guide. You would really want to carry some general liability insurance if you were going to make a habit of doing this for anybody out there considering it.

[Where Y'ak?]

Choup:

I think the noted difference is whether or not the person is in the same boat as you or not. If you take someone for hire, in the same boat, you are likely to need a Captain's license. If that person is in a separate kayak, you would probably not.

However, holding yourself out as a guide, an outfitter or even a spiritual advisor for a fee, can have serious liability implications in the event of some mishap.

P.S. Wanna be an "outfitter" again for the tournament this weekend??? LOL

[Branch_Office]

Who was it that said they put the gps tracker on his yak??

[CNSpots]

I was wondering about this as well.. I know you have to have your Coast Guard OUPV (6-pack) if you are carrying people for hire,
but have no idea of how that may apply to paddlecraft.. Maybe Paul Barnard or YAL can chime in with some info..
I haven't been able to find anything online about it either..

I know that lot of the guys that do it use mothershipping.. so that would require the OUPV anyway..

[Choupique]

mothershipping definitely requires a 6-pack license but not individual kayak launching with a guide along side you. You don’t even need the State license tag I was told through email correspondence from LAWF.

[CNSpots]

mothershipping definitely requires a 6-pack license but not individual kayak launching with a guide along side you. You don’t even need the State license tag I was told through email correspondence from LAWF.

That's good to know.. Maybe I need to work on that for a retirement plan in the next few years..

[ijuswannafish]

Who was it that said they put the gps tracker on his yak??

I said dad has one of those dog collar trackers we can put in his yak if needed.

[Limestone Cowboy]

I was a paddle guide in TX for quite a while. I used a wide canoe. I paddled in the back, while my client fished the front. I never fished on the trip as I was in moving rivers and it was a full time job just paddling and pointing out spots. You can learn a whole lot from a guide and it is an ultra luxury to have someone paddle you around. As for permits, I believe in LA you must have a 6 pack captain's license if you are fishing saltwater, but not in freshwater. Your best bet around here is to just hook up with our generous veterans and make it to any of the events sponsored here on the board. Welcome!!!

Edited: I think if you refer to yourself as a rental service with a host(you), then you are legal. If they bring a rod to fish then that is on them. You are not touting yourself a as guide, merely an rental outfitter. You could charge an extra amount if they want you to go out with them. If not then just drop them off, go fish where you want, then pick them up at a set time.

[GreenWave]

I said dad has one of those dog collar trackers we can put in his yak if needed.

Looks like I'm following your dad!

[Choupique]

I’ll be following Rev!

[revredfish]

I’ll be following Rev!

you can't keep up with me in that whimpy pedal drive! At least it will be too cold to wear those shorts!

[pistol]

hey choupique are you the same choupique on the mobile bay kayak forum?

[mad max]

I ran into Danny last week while fishing the Grand Isle area. He is still working for BP. He said that he would probably be doing that untill nov. His Wife was having a tough time with her radiation but was feeling a little better the last few days. So as of now he is not guiding