Anybody here have a California Guide License ?

[Jlawsen]

Just wondering.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Anybody here have a California Guide License ?

I'm thinking about buying a Guide License and getting bonded and was wondering how folks are doing that have them and are Guiding in California. I'm not ready to completely retire but I'm getting close and thought I would start building a reputation now so that when I am ready to move into that world at least part time, I'd have a client base.

This is something on my bucket list I guess and I have it in my 5 year plan as something I want to look in to as potential future income.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Anybody here have a California Guide License ?

I have several good friends that guide here. Do it for the love of it because you?re not going to make any money at it. Gas price and the economy in general have put a serious hurt on the business. Most subsidize their business on the lecture circuit or selling tackle

The charter fleet is probably half what is was 10 years ago. The only people left are the old times that own their boats outright. You cannot afford to eat, pay a fuel bill and a boat payment at the same time.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Anybody here have a California Guide License ?

Thanks for the comment. I was planning to us My 22' North River Commander (paid for) for getting my 6 pack USCG License. I'm not far enough into the process to know the requirements for my smaller 16' Jetcraft which is almost paid for now. You're right about not making enough money to survive on. The end goal is to be retired and do this as a way to stay active and involved in whatever small communtiy I end up settling in. Guides are often looked to for reliable information about the health and welfare of fisheries and I would love to be involved in helping to preserve them even if it's just one.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Anybody here have a California Guide License ?

Not sure about the waters around you, but a 22' is way to small around here. A friend ran a Parker 2300SE, which is a great platform by the way, for a couple of years but was loosing too many days to the weather. Keep in mind, most cutomers are not boaters and they don't want to go out and get beat up.

He has since gone to a Judge 27' Chesapeake. Locally, Judge boats are becoming very popular. Might even consider trading in the Grady for one in a couple of years.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Anybody here have a California Guide License ?

Where in CA and what kind of fishing?

PM'ing a website where you can probably get more answers.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Anybody here have a California Guide License ?

Dingat, the North River is overkill for most of the North West lakes. Tahoe can get a bit sketchy at times but I have Sat WX with wind and thunderstorm warning systems on both of my fishing boats.


ajgraz - Thanks for the PM. I called the CG and got the scoop. The easy part is the California DFG license and the bond. The CG OUPV license test isn't that hard but there are a lot of compliance matters to stay on top of. Its not like you just buy six PFD's and call it good. I haven't checked with DMV as far as the cost of registering the boats as commercial vs. pleasure. I'm sure they're going to zing me pretty good. We'll see what happens.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Anybody here have a California Guide License ?

Yesterday I did a little poking around on the DMV website and all I could find was a check box on the registration form that indicated the vessel was for hire. It cited a code/regulation but try as I might I could not find the article that was cited. I'll keep trying becasue I have to or I'll be at the mercy of a DMV clerk and they aren't always aware of exact details according to my needs. I don't want them guessing or just flat rating me where I end up paying cruise liner taxes for a small fishing boat (under 5 tons).