From Ron Brooks,
Your Guide to Saltwater Fishing.
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How many of you have used the services of a guide, or been on a charter boat trip? If you have been with more than one guide, you are probably aware of a sometimes-major difference in the way guides operate. I have been with quite a number of them, and I can tell you, they range from poor to “I can’t wait to go with him/her again.”

Any guide worth their salt can put you on fish. They won’t make it very long if they can’t find fish. The key to being a good guide, one that has to be booked far in advance, is customer service.

What do I mean? Lets talk about some examples. I fished with one young gentleman who really knew his stuff. He knew where the fish were; he knew what bait to use; he could cast as accurately as anyone I ever met; and he was an expert at fighting a fish on light tackle. He was probably the worst guide I ever booked. Why? He did more fishing than I did! As soon as the boat settled, he was on the bow casting ahead of me. He even asked me to net several of his fish for him. He probably caught three fish to my one.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with a guide doing a little fishing. But if he is that thrilled with fishing himself, he needs to take a busman’s holiday every now and then. I’m paying him to put me, not him on fish!

Were you ever on a charter, or even a party boat where the mate or mates fished too? I can understand a mate getting things started by helping an inexperienced person by setting the hook and handing them the rod. I’m talking about pure old “get out of my way”, fishing right next to you. There is something very frustrating about paying good money to fish only to be mitigated from the stern of the boat. And then these same mates think they deserve a 15% tip for all their efforts!

I always go back to charters that work hard and have that good customer service. There aren’t very many that don’t, but those few bad ones make it hard on everyone. The guide that seldom if ever picks up a rod or the mate that is always there to gaff, or net your fish, or to bait you hook – that’s what I look for.

The very best guides and charters can adjust to the individual and provide just the level of service that the customer wants – without even asking, I might add. They are there to put you on fish and they make your trip memorable without being a memory in their own right, if you get my meaning.

If you run across a guide or charter that performs to your expectations, take care of them at the end of the trip. They work hard for a living. Just think how worn out you can be after a day of fishing. These guys and gals do it seven days a week, and never complain!