[top water man]

fished every day this week after the rains topwater bite was good to excellent on superspooks give us a call if you want in on it. visit at www.big3guideservice.com

 

[1txrcher]

I saw your website (looks like you guys have caught some awesome fish)...and was curious on the imposed trophy fee that you have for catching 27"/7lbs trout or bigger? What is the fee for said fish?
thanks
Dan

 

[Swampus]

Do you pay a trophy fee?

 

[1txrcher]

Do you pay a trophy fee?

Thats what it sounds like to me... I wouldn't mind paying a small fee if we were talking Star tourney caliber fish

 

[4thbreak]

Thats what it sounds like to me... I wouldn't mind paying a small fee if we were talking Star tourney caliber fish

I wouldnt mind paying a fee if you showed me where the monsters were.

 

[Aggieangler]

I don't understand....is this a fee on top of the guide service fee you pay? I am cornfused.

 

[deke]

Trophy Fee? I have never heard of this. So You get your daily rate of $450, but if someone was to catch a 27"+ fish they have to pay you more? Are you kidding me??!!

Sorry, IMO that doesn't make sense. A couple of scenarios. So, let me get this straight, if I catch a 27" fish while fishing with you I would owe you a tropy fee? for a 27" fish? that isn't in my book a trophy, 30" and over is, but even then this sounds wierd, IMO. If I just paid you $450 for a trip and I caught a 27"+ trout and wanted to keep it you charge me more $, what if she gets hooked deep and I didn't want to keep her from the get go , we all know how big trout inhale subsurface lures, do we throw her back to die if the person can't afford a trophy fee? I think people would be scared to catch a fish if they saved up to fish with you and happened to catch a good fish and she was gill hooked, then what. Kind of takes the fun out of it, especialy for those that don't have alot of disposable income. IMO

Sorry to sound skeptical, I'm sure some find this ok, I just don't get it.

 

[El Robalo]

Sounds like forced tipping to me . Never heard of "Trophy fish fee". I would think some sizeable fish would be expected.

 

[sherwood]

... To me, it means if you want to specifically target 27"+ specks and you actually end up catching one, THEN there's a fee. That's why the rate is slightly more expensive than the regular fees. His regular fees are listed under fishing rates:
http://www.big3guideservice.com/prod01.htm

Don't be so quick to jump down the man's throat.

 

[kdubya]

I dont think anyone is jumpin' down any throats. I think folks want some clarification from the Capt.

If you catch a 27" inch, or bigger trout, and she swallows the plug and is gonna die, do you incur a "Trophy Fee"? And, why wouldnt you want to pay $400 bucks, and not expect to possibly catch the fish of your life without worrying about paying an extra fee if it happens.

I think folks just want to know if that is the case.

Kelly

 

[deke]

But all guides will target big fish if asked to do so, just like they will target reds if that is what you want. You just ask, it's what they are there for. I see $450 for three people for a day, and I see $400 for two people for the "trophy" trip plus "trophy fee". He says $50 for an exrta person, hence the $450 for three people. I didn't see the "trophy fee" anywhere. It doesn't take any more effort to go after big girls, it is just different areas and tactics, baits, ect.. IMO We aren't jumping down his throat, just voicing our opinions. Sounds like you know him?

 

[1txrcher]

I didn't mean to start any arguements and what-not with my question, I was just curious is all. Capt.Bubba does put some monster specks in the boat by the looks of his photo gallery

I have never fished the galveston bay complex and would love to go out with some good guides to learn the system a bit
thanks and sorry for causing trouble
Dan Gomez

 

[stew1tx]

Well, his day rates are pretty cheap. Danny I will hook u up, but remember to tip well when that big girl comes aboard lol.

 

[Conti]

To all of you opposed to the TROPHY FEE, Go out and catch your own and dont worry about it. This fee is only applied when a big fish is targeted,landed,and retained. It is understood before the boat leaves the doc. It is not uncommon for a guide to come across a set of Trophy caliber fish that are holding in a specific area for a length of time. Once these fish are located he can take his customers into the area that are seeking the type of fish he has found. A Guide will usually have a list of people who seek a trophy and the liberty to call them when found so that they can catch Their "fish". Its real simple, There is a price a customer can pay to go catch regular fish and then there is a price a customer can pay for these special fish. Anyone that puts time in on the water knows that a big trout is a thing of true beauty. If they were easy to catch everybody would have one and the glamour would be gone. so as with anything else if you want something you have to pay for it. My first line says it all. If you want to do it the cheap way, locate the fish you want and catch them. Then you dont have to worry about any fees, but as long as this man is providing a service that people want there should be no complaints.

 

[1-2-Fish]

This whole "trophy fee" IMO is one of the most obsurd things i've heard in my entire life.

What's going to be next???? Surcharge for the particular bait the trout are eating that particular day??? This is fricking unbelievable to be quite honest with you. You guys ought to be ashamed of yourselves for trying to implement such a bogus charge.

I do appreciate the honesty of the guides who support this though. You will NEVER get a booking or referral from me.

Gary

 

[jtizzle]

LOL, yeah, good luck with that. The guides I use are professional enough to put me on big fish when and if they can without charging me anything extra. But, if you can get away with it more power to you...

 

[Dell]

This whole extra charge is BS, in my opinion a professional always does the best for his clients , all his clients not just the special people. It makes me wonder if you do not pay extra how hard this guy will work to put you on good fish.

 

[Aggieangler]

Wow...I would have to agree. If/when I catch one over 30 inches, which is what I define also as a trophy, if I am with a guide, he will probably be tipped well. But a fee?

I guess if you are honest about it and declare it prior to taking a deposit from the client, then I guess it is a buyer beware situation. If this becomes commonplace on the Texas coast I won't ever book a guide again. I cannot imagine that a lot of folks are duped by this, although it would be interesting to see the numbers on it.

Every guide service on the coast that targets big trout has a website full of pics of big ones, and I agree they are all beautiful. But to think you have a right to charge an extra fee when I am already paying your expenses/salary/profit for the day....that rings a bit untrue to me. I wonder if they offer a 100% refund if you don't catch any keepers? That would be equivalent in my mind. A customer fee I guess.

 

[Aggieangler]

Agreed....that's why I am fishing with Jay Watkins on Thursday!

 

[El Robalo]

I find my own, you don't have to be "a guide" :biggrin:.