Quote Originally Posted by DaveStewart View Post
I am a guide on Kentucky Lake. I do not however guide for Crappie or Bluegill...only bass. I am not available as I am booked up until the first of June but you can find a list of guides for north Kentucky Lake at www.kentuckylake.com . Of course I don't know what you consider outrageous...you will find the rates here between 275 and 300 per day right now...which after we pay our overhead doesn't leave much.
For a good guide who will teach you what the fish are doing on a particular lake $300.00 plus tip can be a bargain. If you think what gas cost are, and what a week in general cost on a fishing vacation; guide fees are a small part of your expense. Just be sure you get the guide early in your trip first day or two. What you need to do is make sure you get a guide that knows what he is doing and is willing to help you out not one that is cheap. I would much rather pay $350.00 for a very good guide than waste $200.00 on a poor or mediocre guide. What you learn in that boat that day will be a lifetime investment. Most guides are hoping your experience to the lake will be positive so you will come back and tell your friends to come to their lake. Their livelihood is based on tourism.

Also do not be upset if you hire a guide and have a tough day on the water because if you hired a good guide you will see a lot of his spots and you can still learn what to do.