Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    I'm headed there next week too and, like you I couldnt find much listed in 
    notesfiles or on the WWW.  I did call information and the local C-o-C
    and got a bunch of marina/guide/rental information.  If I can locate
    it I'll send the specifics.  I did get the sense that there were a lot
    of rental, boating and fishing related business in the shore towns.

   You'll find a little more information in the BASSFISHING notes conference,
but not much.

    Last April we went out on 1/2 day trip guided by Danny Watkins out of
Roland Martin's Marina 800-741-2517.  We caught fish and had a great time. He
certainly worked to get us some action. It was real windy that morning and the
lake was real high.

    I'd recommend him. Last year he was getting $150 for 1/2 day and $200 for
all day.  We blew out of the marina at 6am and we were back right around 12noon.
I got one that ran about 7lbs and a couple small ones, John Biro got a bunch
of 2 - 3 lbers. The guide caught a few as well.  We ran up the west side of the
lake from Clewiston up to Fisheating Creek, mostly working the reeds. A few
other boats were using live bait and balloons, but we were not.  I think Danny
Correa (from Marlboro, MA; came in #2 in the BASS Classic a few years back) was
working out of Roland's Marina too. Nice guy, but don't know how he did as a 
guide.

Al
who lives 60 miles for Okeechobee and has only been on it once.

    There's a pretty good magazine called Florida Sportsman which has lots
    of ads for guides all over Florida, as well as general salt and fresh
    water fishing articles. It may not be specialized enough to
    make recommendations, but it's a decent place to start.
    
    I have found the magazine at the Out-of-Town News in Harvard Square,
    but you may be able to find it at a good magazine outlet.
    
    Have a great time!
    
    Art
    

    I'll second Rolands. He always has a few of the top pros guiding out of
    his place, as well aa number of regular guides.  I fished out of there 
    around 10 years ago, got a guide for the first 1/2 day then w/o one for 
    a couple days.  Can't say the fishing was all that great, but we caught
    some, none over 5lbs.  I think the lake is in a little better shape now
    than when I was there.  Some spots down there the fish can't swim 10'
    w/o bumping into a live shiner on a hook.  -donmac

    The phone number for Roland Martins Marina is
    1-800-4736766
    
    I have Danny Watkins phone number at home he guides 
    on his own and also for Roland. I wont be back into
    the office for a few weeks, but if you can wait I will
    post his number when I get back. I am not sure if it is
    cheaper to hire him directly or go threw Roland, but
    I suspect that it would be the same but one way he does
    not have to split the money.
    
    Going Peacock Bass fishing in 80 Deg Weather...
    
    john
    
                                

    Thanks for the suggestions. Actually, I found a ton of names in
    BASSMASTER - but, not knowing any of them made me uneasy. Just a month
    or so ago I read an article about fishing guide horror stories and
    never having used a guide before, I am feeling cautious. Was hoping
    some of you have some good stories to share. Thanks for the lead on
    Danny Watkins. 
    
    I'll let you know if I make out.
    
    PS: Glad to see 5 replies  in one day - I was  growing fearful that
    this notes-file like so many others was dying......

    There is one other type of fishing you might try in Florida.
    The Jolly Roger rents pontoon boats out for the hr/day/week
    (24 ft) and it can be great family fun and would cost a lot
    less.  

    I would suggest a guide if you going out for serious fishing 
    but others I know have done both and each has its own Merit.  
    The Jolly Sober is just down the Street From Roland Martin Marina. 
    If you are going to hire a guide for March I would do it know.  
    A lot of guides dont work all year as they are on a tournament 
    trail and fill in their income with guiding.  

    Most Marina's have simple motel rooms at reasonable price so
    you might want to think about that if you have to travel a long 
    distance to get their for 7AM.  They are about the same quality
    as the Bates Motel.

    I have never had trouble with a guide in Florida but I have on some 
    small Islands where the main source of income are the tourist.  Here 
    the guides might just be a boat owner who just takes you for a boat ride.
    

    enjoy john
    
    
    
    
    

    >The Jolly Sober is just down the Street From Roland Martin Marina.
               ^^^^^
    
    Freudian slip - or admonition - or confession? ;^)
    

    >The Jolly Sober 
    
    Where's the oxymoron note?