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Florida Fishing Guides

When considering the cost of a bass boat payment,

insurance, boat maintenance, boat storage, fishing license, bait, fishing tackle, and the time required to obtain the local knowledge one needs to catch fish; the cost of a professional guide service is way under valued. We get all types of clients, most of which have little to no experience that fish with us that just show up at the dock to fish. Why you ask, why not, they don’t have to make a boat payment, carry boat insurance or even supply a lure and get a No Fish No Pay guarantee!

One thing you will find in common with most Florida freshwater guide services is that they all are "professionals" and most of are part time at best! Oh, but they have a nice website and maybe even a nice bass boat, but when was the last time they were out should be the question?. It is hard to stay on fish and carry a full time job, it's almost impossible to stay on trophy size bass when you are getting used information from your friends. Which means the money you are paying is not being spent to the best of your ability.

We say to you, please do your home work;

The best way to insure a quality fishing experience is to spend some time researching a guide services qualifications, background, experience, and knowledge, by checking them out. Listen, the internet is one of the most powerful tools we have ever seen, but can also be very deceiving just people. Most fishing guides will have a website covering all aspects of the services they provide as well as current fishing reports. This is where the truth in most cases stops, remember the fishing reports are written by people and people will almost say anything to get your business. I've always heard, the best way to tell if an angler is a good fisherman, is to see how well they can stretch the truth, so if the report sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Remember, fishing is fishing, and catching is catching, both are fun, but catching is a lot better then lip service.

Read testimonials and contact the person to see if the report is true. Also, call other anglers for recommendations. Most guide services rely on repeat business, so they will go out of their way to provide a level of service worth recommending.

Currently, there are over 500 freshwater fishing guides working the State of Florida. All guides are required to have a current US Coast Guard captain's license but do not, a occupational license, liability insurance covering passengers and crew.

Fresh water guides cannot purchase a boat license for our customers, as with saltwater they are allowed, so anglers are required to purchase their own.

A quality guide will provide top quality tackle and equipment, like GLoomis Rods are something similar and they should be in good working order. With the exception of you own personal items, such as polarized sun glassed, hat, camera, and sunscreen. All fishing tackle, lures, and ice should be included.

When researching rates, most services will offer a selection of time frames to facilitate the desires of the client, and most charters are conducted in: ½ day (four hours), ¾ day (six hours), and full day (eight hours). In most areas, prices are standard from one service to the next, and some inexperienced or (part-time) guides will offer cut-rate prices, but remember you get what you pay for. Think about it for a minute, if you were a first class guide and confident in what you do, why would you reduce your value to say you are not as good as the others! Good full-time, professional guides just don't do it...which just leaves the rest. In most of Florida, freshwater bass rates for two anglers range from $250.00 for ½ day to $350.00 for a full day, and a third person is an additional $50.00 to $75.00. In-shore saltwater and offshore rates are generally higher based on the number of anglers and the distance traveled.

Check to see if the guide is a Member of a professional guides association. Check to see if they are involved in the future of there fishing area, are they concerned with conservation, etc. These organizations hold their members to higher standards, and members are required to prove legitimacy annually, so check the web sites of organization like SAFER and other associations.

Book your charter early: Most top ranked guides book charters months or even a year in advance, and they require deposits to secure dates. As any hotel reservation, you should never have to pay anything in advance. By applying a credit card to your reservation, it should be sufficient to hold your dates. Always ask about a cancellation policy, because things happen. You should have a way to cancel with out costing you money, as long as it is with in the terms of the guide service. Never send money in advance, you will never see it again!

Call for information as much as you need: Most guide services provide toll free numbers so clients can call for information at no cost to them. Unlike most guide service where you have to call in the early evening, because most guides are on the water, we provide a guide to be on the phones at all times so it is convenient for you and you are talking with a professional that fishes, not a booking agent with no concept of the fishing conditions.

Discuss your desires and needs with your guide: Some charter services specialize in a specific skill levels, so make sure you mention your skill level and experience, and if inexperienced anglers will be fishing. Also be sure to mention if small children or persons with special needs will be fishing.

Ask your guide if lunch is provided: Many services provide water and soft drinks, but they do not provide lunch. Many will provide lunch if requested, and in many locations marinas or restaurants are available on the water. We are one of the only service that offer trips like this, so make sure you book a trip that is what fits your needs.

Let your guide know if you want to bring your own equipment: Many guides will let you bring your own equipment, but discuss your desires with them before hand so that they can probably help you prepare your equipment for the location you are going too.

Do listen to your guide: Most guides want you to catch fish as much as they do, so if you are serious about catching, except your guides instructions and directions. Your guide knows how to read the water, and he knows what to look for, so pay close attention to his instruction. We understand some of you know how to fish, pretty well matter a fact. But just as if we were to visit your home waters we would also need your help, the bass fishing in Florida is quite different then most places in the world.

Remember to bring your camera: Many guide trips are a once in a lifetime experience worth recording. In most case our guides do have cameras on board, but it's always nice to have your own.

Bring adult beverages: If you are planning to bring alcohol with you, be sure to discuss it with your guide service. Many guide services will not let you drink alcohol on the boat. Our guide service does allow alcohol, we feel for a lot of people the two go hand in hand and this trip should be as enjoyed as we can make it for you. With that said, our policy says at any time if we feel you or anyone in your party becomes under the influence, we will take you directly back to the dock and you will be responsible for the full cost of the trip.

Wear black sole shoes: Many guide service, mostly saltwater request you do not wear black sole shoes. Our bass boats are lined with carpet so get comfortable and feel free to wear your most comfortable shoes, even if they are black sole.

Smokers beware....because of the carpet on the boats, we do ask that you do be careful of your ash...it burns holes in our carpet. But we do still allow you to smoke.

Tip your guide: It is traditional to tip your guide. An eight-hour charter is equivalent to a ten-hour workday, when you consider preparing the boat, tackle, and equipment for the day, handling the charter, travel time, cleaning the boat, and preparing for the next day. A 15% gratuity is standard, and if your guide goes above and beyond the call of duty, you should tip accordingly.

CAPTAIN TODD KERSEY has been a full-time guide for many, many years in Florida. With a long list of tournament experiences, including the FLW, Everstart, BFL and many other local and state tournaments. He is under heavy demand by all the top fishing pro's in the country when it comes to fishing tournament. With over 10 top ten finishes by his clients he has become a commodity on the lakes during tournament season. Becoming one of Florida's top guides, Captain Todd has competes and runs several celebrity tournaments for NASCAR, NFL, MLB and others. Todd's the coordinator, captain and is very well versed in all of the bodies of water in Florida, and is involved in many aspects of conservation. Contact Capt. Todd -

Todd sponsored by: Jolly Roger Marina, Bass Cat boats, JDC Baits, G Loomis Rods and Bass Online.com

Captain Mark Shepard is a full-time guide and touring professional. Experience includes Everstart, BFL tournaments and many others. Will also be competing in the BassMasters Tour in 2008. Mark has a list of accomplishments in the fishing industry a mile long including a Everstart WIN on Lake Eufaula, AL. Mark Originally from Florida moved to Ohio to sharpen him northern skills and moved back from Ohio years ago to master guiding on world famous Lake Okeechobee. Mark enjoys watching trophy largemouth bass crush the giant wild shiners, but can also teach you about site fishing and has become a master with a crankbait!

Mark is sponsored by: Bass Cat Boats, G-Loomis, Zoom, Shimano, Awesome Baits and Bass OnLine.com

Mark's our lead guide on the "Big O" Lake Okeechobee, he has also become a master of the Everglades and his home base is in Clewiston, FL. So come fish Okeechobee with Mark a true professional in every sense of the word. You can contact or request Capt. Mark at -

Capt. Steve Albaum has been fishing professionally for the past 25 years, and has had many accomplishments along the way. He has been very successful fishing saltwater billfish tournaments up and down the east coast, Bahamas and the Caribbean. For many years now, he has concentrated on freshwater Bass fishing, and has also enjoyed many successes. Steve is a well-rounded fisherman and his experiences are invaluable when guiding in South Florida's Miami lakes, FL Everglades, and Lake Okeechobee.

Steve's our team leader when it comes to fishing the Everglades for largemouth and Miami for Peacock bass. He is also the go to guide for fly-fishing! You can contact or request Capt. Steve at -

Steve is sponsored by: Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, G-Loomis rods, Shimano Reels and Bass OnLine.com

Captain Chris Shepard is a full time guide with over 27 years experience fishing in South Florida. Tournament tested from Lake Erie on down to the Everglades. Has experienced every type of conditions you may come across on your day on the water with him. He enjoys fishing where ever and what ever as long as its called fishing and majority of the time it's catching. With years of salt water fishing, a 700 LB sword fish doesn't compare to catching a bass on a wild shiner. There is nothing else like it...Chris was our "big fish" guide in 2004 with 50 fish over 7lbs.

Chris is also very well versed in bluegill and crappie fishing!

Chris has two specialties, the "Big O" and being Marks older brother!

Chris services the Everglades, Lake Okeechobee and Lake Walk in Water. He is truly versatile and has no problem catching them just about anywhere. You can contact or request Capt. Chris at -

Chris is sponsored by: Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, G-Loomis rods, Shimano Reels and BassOnLine.com

Capt Rick Burton is a full time guide, specializing on Lake Okeechobee and has been known to teach some of us a thing or two in the Everglades. Rick is our "young blood" whiling to do and go where ever the fish are biting. Rick and coordinator Capt Todd have been the team dynamic duo on Lake Okeechobee. Rick is very consistent and high finisher every time out, weather it's in a big tournament or a group guide trip.

Rick's sharp, polite and ate up with bass fishing!

You can contact or request Capt. Rick at -

Rick is sponsored by: Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, G-Loomis rods, Shimano Reels and www.BassOnLine.com

Capt. Brett Isackson is a full time guide, specializing on Florida Peacock bass and largemouth bass in the Everglades and on Lake Okeechobee and has been known to be vary versatile, livebait or artificial he can catch them. No trip is to long and there's always more fish to be caught, that's his motto.

Brett's energetic and can be heard on our Fishing radio talk show every Saturday morning giving his latest fishing report. Hay, it may be you he's going to talk about! You can contact or request Capt. Brett at -

Capt. Tony Masiello is a full time guide, specializing on Florida Peacock bass in Miami and largemouth bass fishing in the Everglades. Livebait or artificial, Tony can teach you both of them. Tony's specialty is going way back into the Everglades flats and fishing topwater all day, does that sound like fun or what!

Capt. Tony can also be heard on our Fishing radio talk show every Saturday morning giving his latest fishing report. Your trip with Tony is guaranteed to be a fun trip, so do not ask for Tony unless your interested in a good time. You can contact or request Capt. Tony at -

Capt. Donny Biggs is a full-time guide and professional fishermen. Experience includes local and national tournaments. Donny sharpen his skills from fishing lakes through out Florida. Guides on Lake Okeechobee often, but specializes on Walk in Water, Stick Marsh and Lake Kissimmee. Donny enjoys watching trophy largemouth bass crush the giant wild shiners, but can also teach you about Spinner baits, Zara Spooks and rattle traps which are some of his favorites.

You also can listen to Donny on our Fishing radio talk show every Saturday morning giving his latest fishing report. Donny fishes for big fish, so be prepared!

You can contact or request Capt. Donny at -

Capt. Larry Crossman is a full-time guide and professional fishermen. Experience includes several local and national tournaments. Larry is a past Florida State Champion and past owner of the Wanta Linga hotel in Okeechobee city. Larry fishes the lake a lot and has good knowledge of the Kissimmee River system. Weather it is shiner fishing or artificial lures Capt. Larry can make your day a very enjoyable and successful one. He guides on Walk in Water and Stick Marsh, but his home lake is Lake Okeechobee. You can contact or request Capt. Larry at -
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Capt. Claude "Tennessee" Gouge is a full-time guide season professional. Experience includes Everstart, BFL tournaments and many others. Still competes in most every local tournament available. Known as the most experienced guide on Lake Okeechobee, with over 25 year he has lots of knowledge and is willing to teach everyone. Tennessee is known for his great topwater skills, but he was throwing shiners on Okeechobee even before Roland Martin arrived. He is also very knowledgeable on Istokpoga, Lake Kissimmee, Walk in Water, Stick Marsh and the Everglades.

Tennessee's our senior guide on the Big O, so come fish Okeechobee with a true legend.

You can contact or request Capt. Tennessee at -

Capt Chris Rand is a touring professional. Experience includes FLW, Everstart, BFL tournaments and many others. Past two time winner on the FLW Tour, career earnings of nearly $100,000 dollars. Will also be competing in the 2006 Stern Series. He has accomplishments in the fishing industry a mile long including being on the Bass Pro Shops Pro Staff team amount others. Capt Chris is well versed on types and styles of fishing, one of his favorites is the Carolina Rig. Ask him about it, you would never guess there could be so many options. Chris guides on Lake Okeechobee and in the Everglades, he has also been known to catch a few Peacock bass on occasion.

You can contact or request Capt. Chris at -

Capt Jimmy Anderson is a specialist in the Everglades, he mainly uses spinner baits and soft plastics but enjoys flipping and pitching also. Is well versed on all the different location and water habits of the Everglades. As all of the guides Jimmy carry's a wide variety of baits for your enjoyment and is very good at teaching and working with young children.

Jimmy is a well rounded "bucket mouth" slayer!

You can contact or request Capt. Jim at -

Captain Jeff Brandt is a full-time guide and touring professional. Experience includes FLW, B.A.S.S. and many others. Capt. Jeff specializes in largemouth bass and is very knowledgeable in navigating Lake Okeechobee, Stick Marsh/Farm 13 and Florida Everglades.

You can contact or request Capt. Jeff at -

Captain Juan Ruiz is a licensed U.S.C.G. guide and a professional fisherman specializing on Lake Okeechobee and has won numerous tournaments on lakes all over South Florida. Captain Juan competes in Wal-Mart BFL, B.A.S.S. Federation, Headturners Outdoors and numerous other tournament trails. Captain Juan is a former B.A.S.S. Federation Tournament winner and has had several Top 5 finishes in the BFL’s. In 2005 Captain Juan and his team partner won the Okeetantie Team Trail Anglers of the Year title, which is considered to be the toughest team trail on Lake Okeechobee. Captain Juan works full-time as a Recreation Supervisor for the City of Greenacres and enjoys introducing troubled youth to the sport of fishing. If you want to learn how to flip heavy cover for lunker bass, Captain Juan is your guide

Captain Juan is sponsored by Ranger Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Shimano, Reaction Innovations and Airrus Rods.

You can contact or request Capt.Juan at -