Quick survey

[Rob LaMoy]

OK, I'm trying to figure out how to best utilize any "advertising" money I spend this year.

Of all of you have ever booked a guided trip, how did you select the service or guide?

Anyone ever book based on a magazine ad?

Website?

Outdoor show?

Word of mouth?

Other????

What experiences stood out during the trip both good and bad? What kind of trip?

Thanks,

Rob

 

[TrepMan]

Rob - I've only been on 1 guided trip, with Mac Farr, here in Atlanta (only one that i've had Beka pay for, have been on plenty with a former employer but those were guides THEY hired for our trips). He was recommended by a friend who Beka called (the friend) so she could surprise me. He was about twice as much as some of the guide's i've met on the web and the water ($250 for 2 folks for a 1/2 day trip) but he's been in the business for over 20 years, has books, videos and his own line of lures out so it was worth it. What was good was he put us on fish (bass and stripers) and was polite, puntual and had a group of guides he cell phone'd with to keep up on the action spots. Down side was I kept telling him I ONLY wanted to hunt Spots/LM and he had the boat rigged up for ONLY stripers. We did some of both but that was NOT what I wanted when I booked the trip and confirmed.



I think it realy depends on who you are targeting as your audience. I think (purely a guess) that maybe less then 25% of bass fisherfolks regulary use the web, though I know this is increasing everyday. So I think the web is definetly ONE way to attract business. Have a friend who wanted to rent a pontoon boat (with tube) for a day and he's a network engineer. He ONLY used the web and only found 3 marina's on Lake Allatoona last year that had web sites, and only 1 that had info and prices. That ONE is the ONLY one he called and booked his trip. But the majority of folks I talk to at the ramps down here do NOT use the web much.



We go to Canada every year and have been with the same outfitter for going on 12 years now. My brother-in-law used the Outdoor shows to find these folks (back before the Web was what it is today) and the back of fishing magazines to find them.



I think word of mouth is HUGE in guide business, as well as visibility in and around your lake/community. Volunteering at charity events with your logo visable, joining the local rotary and small business networking clubs.



Just my 2 pennies.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Trep, the bulk, over 98% of all my clients are not local. They come from NYC, NJ, Long Island, CT, PA etc. I will be joining the chamber of commerce though to make it easier for people to find me that are just in the area looking.

 

[Andrew Zuber]

Rob-

One guided trip here...

We had been fishing Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley for several years...were catching less each year...soooo, we picked a guide. We started fishing on Friday, had the guide take us out on the following Wednesday...We were already catching fish on our own like never before (figures)...

He did teach us 1 new method (C-rigging, the "right way" according to him).

We learned about him from the Kentucky Lake website...

good stuff:

He showed us his "secret" spots where he or others he knew had sunk trees and other structure(which is really why we hired him).

He gave us good tips on tactics and lure selection.

bad stuff:

Not much...

He had a Ranger that did NOT take the chop very well...In fact my partner says he ways peeing blood the next day...(and he had the 'soft' seat...I was stuck on the 'wanna-be' seat in the middle).

I don't remember the exact price, but I think it was around $200 for the day-trip.

We got stormed out towards the end of the day, so he came back to our houseboat and marked up a map with the 'secret' spots we didn't make it to...



az

 

[Jeff Griffeth]

I own a hunting lodge and have been in that business for several years now. I can tell you that the most bang for the buck comes from a good website. If your website is loaded with info and looks impressive, (not to mention comes up when people search), business will be good. We only advertise in one magazine, and have just a small one-inch ad. The magazine is the top in the industry. The thing with print advertising is that you can't just do one ad every once in awhile. People only respond to print ads because they've seen it EVERY month when they go browsing. It's all about repetition and repetition in print cost lots of money.

Outdoor (trade) shows work if you target them correctly to your targeted market, but can also be very expensive. And if the "mood" of the crowd is not right or the weather affects things, it can be a big waste of time.

We get most of our business now from repeat business and referrals, but I can tell you that any new business comes from our website and that's what built us. We are considered one of the best whitetail outfitters in the midwest. Not because we do anything out of the ordinary, but because people see us on the web everywhere.

I actually own a computer consulting business (for real money) and I'd be happy to help you with web site ideas, etc. Not trying to get your business, my earlier advice is sincere.
http://www.pikeland.com

 

[Steven Atwell]

I've been on a lot of guided hunts, so I can relate that info.



Magazines do help, I've gone that way once or twice, but have never chosen one that didn't also have a website so that I could explore the outfit thoroughly. I have come across quite a few just by doing web searches. A good web master will get you linked to search engines.



Also, I NEVER go with a place that doesn't have the rates posted on the site. I see it like this. If they are reasonable rates, then why not show them? What do they have to hide? And if they fluctuate too much to keep current on the site, then you just aren't professional/serious enough to call your webmaster to tell him, it takes 2 seconds to change, I know.



Also the shows do definitely help. I know MANY guides that get ALL of their new clients via shows. All they had to do was pay the $, show up with well printed flyers (WITH PRICES!!) and display a professional attitude.

 

[SCOTT GARDNER]

I agree with Steve prices will get more looks then just adds without them.I was going to post that then seen that he had already.PRICES sell if u do not know what it cost u will not buy or maybe not even take the time to call and ask.

 

[Justin Arellano]

Rob,

I haven't booked a guided fishin' trip but last year I booked a guided duck hunt. I live in California and wanted to hunt around Stuttgart, Arkansas. I found and printed info from about 20 outfitters all off the web except for a couple out of the back of my DU magazine. As mentioned above, posting your price is definitely the thing to do if you advertise. I was on a budget so I weeded out the most expensive guides first. I then read over my info. for each guide and narrowed it down to what looked like the rates that gave me the most for my money within my budget. I had it down to 4 or 5 who I then called on the phone. I used their personality/hospitality as my final judge. I actually couldn't decide between two of them and decided to go two days with each of them.



Justin A.

 

[Jeff Griffeth]

If you notice, our web site has prices listed clearly and easy to find. When I book fishing trips to Canada or hunting trips, etc., it always drives me crazy when they hide the prices. I get the feeling that they are embarassed about their pricing and have something to hide.

In the outdoor market, you can basically go after whatever price range of folks you feel comfortable with. I know outfitters that charge $1000 a hunt and I know outfitters that charge $4000 a hunt and both get hunters. There's a client out there that will look at your price and believe they are getting what they pay for. Of course, if you charge big bucks, you better deliver, or you won't be around long.

 

[JEFF WHITE]

rob,why dont you try this website and post a trip with prices and such.they have hunting and fishing trips up for auction.you set the minimum(reserve) and the terms.



i got a trip off ebay for walleye on lake erie.it worked out for all of us,as the guide/charter had his own campers for his people to stay in.
http://www.bendmyrod.com/

 

[Rich D]

Rob,



I have never been on a guided trip, however I have looked into them and the places I have looked is the internet and the yearly sportshow.



Rich D

 

[Texas Transplant]

On our vacation to Maine this year (labor day week), I used the internet exclusively to research smallie trips. If it wasn't on the web, I didn't look. Found one or two outfitters, and could have booked the trip. We emailed each other, and the deciding factor was the weather. Wife wasn't going for spending a day on the water in rain/cold, on her vacation, so we passed.



Site had good verbage, honest information (from what I could tell), and a down to home feeling. I think I have it marked at home. If I can find it there, I'll pass it on.



One of the things I would have liked to know, is an idea on how far in advance I needed to book for heavy times.



Tex

 

[Jared S]

Rob-I booked my first trip ever this past summer. This will vary for everyone, but I used the internet to find someone. I am from PA and I was looking for a Logan-Martin guide. Just a quick search on the internet yielded more than I could use. I called a few and asked about asociations results, etc. The one I picked told me to go to the BFL page and check out his results especially on the lake of interest...I was sold because there was some proof that this guy didnt just own a boat and was looking for someone to help pay for it. Price also helped...Its easier to swallow a lower price if things go south and the guide is terrible. After the tip I gave the guide he got what everyone else was charging anyhow.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Thanks guys. I don't ever hide my prices, in fact I might charge too little by comparison. I only charge $225 a day for the boat, 2 clients max, lunch included, and pics if they want afterwards via mail. In the woods I charge the same for a party of 2, $250 for 3 or $200 for a single, lunch again is included. I find those rates very reasonable compared to what many others charge, and I don't carry a gun unless asked to. On the water I only fish long enough to establish a pattern or to show very green anglers how to fish a particular bait. I really look at it as a SERVICE. Thanks for all the replies, but now I'm really undecided because everyone was a little different! LOL What else did I expect from this group???? LOL Thanks again folks! Oh and Andy, you're exactly the kind of guy most guides steer away from, that's called poaching a spot or cover and it's a good way to get black listed from all guides. FYI, bad ediquette!

 

[Bill McElroy]

I've always wanted a full suit of armor,.....it wouldn't fit the "Theme" of my home's decor,...(it deffinetely wouldn't fit ME!!!..LOL),..but I think they're cool anyway!!

Ever see a real one??...Man those dudes were little!!! Trep would've been a regular Hulk Hogan if he was born 500yrs earlier!! LOL....I was amazed by some of the WWII uniforms I saw in the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH, too....those guys were little too!! (then again...there weren't any Taco Bells in the Phillipines either!..HA!!)..

Mac

 

[Pierre Voisine]

 

[Rob LaMoy]

We have a museum in Chazy from just 150 years ago and even then the beds and doorways were like 6', so 5'10" guy like me would have been considered huge. People like Marke...a freak of nature! LOL

 

[C C]

For the armor folks check out the link.



Cass
http://www.armsofvalor.com/

 

[Andrew Zuber]

Rob-

I don't think our guide saw us a "threat" to his service...when we only fish his water once per year, we don't pose much of a risk...it was 'his' idea to mark up our map with his secret spots...



az

 

[Rob LaMoy]

sorry, I misunderstood. I thought it was your regular water. That's fine then. If HE puts it on your map, then he obviously doesn't mind. I've literally had people waiting at the ramp before to follow me. BAD idea! ERRRRRR!

 

[Bruce Yeaton]

Rob, if you decide to go web I will cut you a huge deal for two reasons.

A. I need the practice and experience

B. We both belong to this site and we both are just starting out. (Meaning you full time and me part time)



Usuall web designers get ~$80/hr from what I have heard ( I can do research if you want). I'll take care of you for a quarter of that!!! (Plus a free guide on Champlain here and there )

 

[Rob LaMoy]

I might just take you up on that!

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Do the web thing Rob but be advised, It is a lot of work!! You have to be willing to spend time updating and keeping it "Fresh" We have fishing reports, tide info., weather info., sponsor links (they just love that feature), etc., on ours but you do have to maintain it. There is nothing worse than going to a site and the info. is 6 months old. You also have to be honest in your locations, lures etc., if you are going to do a report. So many sites have "canned" reports for the dates that it is obvious they do a fast update. Shows and website will get you all you need.



TOXIC

 

[TrepMan]

Tell you one thing that keeps me FROM a guide site after a first visit - having to PAY for a fishing report!!! I know a very well known local guide who just turned his reports from free to pay only. Being in IT for over 15 years, the net in it's current state is still 90% free, and from this cheap skate (that's how i'll retire early I hope!) I don't pay for something that other folks are giving free!!

 

[Steven Atwell]

Here's a good example. This is a guy that I kinda know that guides on the Stick Marsh, and the site is made by his wife. It's got a weather report, which is nice, and easy. He has his prices.



He also sends out a fishing report w/ pics, every week that he fishes the Marsh. He sends it to all his customers...keeps them in a database. That must be good for repeat business, by keeping interest. He also has links over all the bassfishing sites, as a guide in FL. Good guy, you should contact him and he (or his wife) could give good advice on the site and it's turn over rate.













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