I just want to take a moment to endorse a couple of local guides. I used to travel to Florida quite abit and hire a guide. You really never knew what you were getting into. I had good ones and bad ones. In the last couple of years I have stayed closer to home and had the privilege of fishing with Dave Stewart a couple of years ago and more recently Fred McClintock. With gas prices as high as they are you can hire a local guide for less than it cost to travel to Florida and back. Dave is a great fisherman and all around guide. He showed me several ways to improve my techniques and taught me alot about trying to find fish on the two big impoundments in Western Kentucky. Fred McClintock is also an amazing guy to fish with. Watching him fish Dale Hollow like no one else I have ever seen was a real treat. He has a real understanding of smallmouth patterns. Both of these guys will teach you more in one day than you would learn on your own in many trips to the lake. Plus its just plain fun. So if any of you guys are planning a trip to Florida, Texas, Canada, etc. try keeping your money at home one year. I seriously enjoyed it as much as traveling long distances and learned more about fishing my home waters. I'm sure there are alot of other good guides but I can only tell you about the ones I have been with.