Guiding: Saltwater, A Different World

The ocean is demanding, make no mistake about it. Tidal swings, moon phases, ever changing weather patterns and currents pose a great challenge for both guide and angler. Although I have never guided in Saltwater I have been on many guided trips in the salt. The differences between salt and freshwater guiding are immense. Saltwater almost always requires the use of a boat and also requires that your captain obtain and maintain a captain’s license through the Coast Guard. Needless to say, the cost of doing business just went up. There are a number of hazardous situations an angler can find himself involved with while fishing in the ocean, any prospective guest should be sure that the captain they have selected is reputable and responsible. A seasoned captain will be intimately familiar with the area you are fishing and the species you are targeting, furthermore they will also have vast knowledge of tides and structure, ensuring that you won’t be left “high and dry” in the searing sun on a flat somewhere. Research goes along way when booking a trip with a saltwater guide. One thing you need to decide is whether you would like to fish inshore or out in the blue water. These two worlds are vastly different and the species you are after will determine this choice. A responsible guide will let you know everything you are responsible to bring with you or have a punch list on their website. For some people a guided saltwater fishing trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity, make the most of it, do some research on the area you are headed to so you gain a better understanding of the environment, the history and most importantly the fishing techniques that have been successfully implored to reach your end goal.