FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What do you fish for?
2. Do you clean our fish?
3. When do you guide for crappie?
3. How many people can you take fishing?
5. What time do your trips go out?
6. Are we guaranteed to catch fish?
7. What is the best time of year to catch big (trophy) fish?
8. How far in advance do we need to contact you to book a fishing trip?
9. Where is the best place to stay if we come from out-of-town for a fishing trip?
10. What do we need to bring on our fishing trip?
11. What is your cancellation policy?
12. Can we keep the fish we catch?
What do you fish for?
The majority of our guide trips are either for largemouth bass, catfish or walleye. On a seasonal basis we also guide for crappie, smallmouth bass, bluegill and occasional other species. Capt. Ben Hayes, Capt. Chris Peters and Capt. Mike Carter are dedicated solely to traditional largemouth bass fishing (with artificial lures). Other guides also occasionally fish for bass (largemouth and smallmouth) using live bait, however these trips are on a seasonal basis. We guide for catfish and bass 365 days a year. Return to Questions
Do you clean fish?
We do NOT clean fish and encourage catch & release on all bass fishing trips. If you wish to keep fish to eat (catfish, crappie or walleye) we ask that you bring a cooler with ice. Following your trip we will put your fish in your cooler for you to care for. Return to Questions
When do you guide for crappie?
Crappie can be caught on Chickamauga Lake 365 days a year. But most of that time requires advanced techniques and skill levels. Therefore we ONLY book guide trips for crappie in the late winter and early spring. We prefer long-line trolling where ANYONE - even novice anglers and young children - can catch fish. We usually begin these trips in February and go until the first week of April. Our favorite time is usually the last two or three weeks of March and the first week of April. These trips are extremely popular and our available dates typically book up FAR in advance. Return to Questions
How many people can you take fishing?
Most of our boats carry two anglers most comfortably, however we regularly do trips with three anglers. One of our guides, Capt. Aaron Massey, has a boat large enough to safely carry four anglers (for an additional charge). There is a small surcharge above our posted Rates for individuals who ride along but don't fish. Return to Questions
What time do your trips go out?
Usually (but not always) our preference is to begin trips at first light. However, we are totally flexible and if your preference (or schedule) is to start fishing later in the day, we will be happy to adjust accordingly. Return to Questions
Are we guaranteed to catch fish?
No, our guides are excellent but Mother Nature always has the last word. In some cases your experience and or skill level makes a difference. Although all of our guides are happy to help teach even beginners. It is EXTREMELY unusual to not catch some fish. Return to Questions
What is the best time of year to catch big (trophy) fish?
Whenever anyone asks this we always ask, "What is your definition of "big?" We strongly receommend that you review our Photo Galleries. EVERY photo is specifically dated so you know exactly what we caught and when. In GENERAL trophy fishing is best in late-winter and Spring (March-May), or in the Fall (October/November). However fishing for trophy fish is like playing the lottery. You never really know when a big one will hit. It can potentially happen 365 days a year.
How far in advance do we need to contact you to book a fishing trip?
This is EXTREMELY variable and impossible to predict. Our high-demand dates, especially spring weekends, regularly book up two months in advance (sometimes much more). If you can come on a weekday you stand a better chance of booking a date with less notice. And during the summer tourist season, we have more guide days available and are often able to accommodate trips on less notice. But as a rule, you should always try and book as far out as you possibly can... but never hesitate to contact us about a potential trip even if it is on short notice. Return to Questions
Where is the best place to stay if we come from out-of-town for a fishing trip?
Please see the paragraph called "Places to Stay" at the bottom of our Rates page. Return to Questions
What do we need to bring on our fishing trip?
Our guide trips do NOT include a fishing license. Please see the "Fishing Licenses" section of our Rates page for information on purchasing a Tennessee fishing license (if you don't already have one). We provide all fishing equipment, all bait, water and good attitudes. YOU provide - Sunscreen, sunglasses, weather-appropriate clothing food, snacks, soft drinks. Alcoholic beverages are allowed IN MODERATION! You also need to bring a cooler/ice if you want to keep fish (We do NOT clean fish), weather-appropriate clothing. MOST IMPORTANT! BRING YOUR DESIRE TO HAVE FUN! Return to Questions
What is your cancellation policy?
If we have to cancel a trip due to severe weather or water conditions, we will either reschedule your trip or provide a full refund of your deposit - your choice. Rain, without high winds or lightening is not considered "severe weather." Our guides are always prepared to fish if it's just raining. You should be too. If you cancel a trip with more than three weeks notice, we can refund your deposit. If you cancel with less than three weeks notice, we keep the deposit but you can reschedule your trip at the earliest mutually convenient date during the SAME CALENDAR YEAR. Return to Questions
Can we keep the fish we catch?
Our dedicated bass guides encourage the release of ALL bass. Keeping catfish, crappie, bluegill or other legal species is no problem. However, we do NOT clean fish. Any fish you keep, you are responsible for caring for. We ask folks who want to keep fish to bring an ice chest (or two) with ice. We keep fish in a livewell while we are fishing and then will put them in your cooler for transport home. Return to Questions