Which kayak as a guide platform?

I'm leaning towards and think it would be hard to do better than a couple Hobie Outbacks (for clients). A tandem might be something to consider latter if the niche appears.  Take for instance trolling for springers, I can't think of a more user friendly and stable platform than a smartly rigged Outback. 

I'm leaning towards and think it would be hard to do better than a couple Hobie Outbacks (for clients). A tandem might be something to consider latter if the niche appears.  Take for instance trolling for springers, I can't think of a more user friendly and stable platform than a smartly rigged Outback. 

Ron, Don't you think that trolling for Salmon could be a huge draw and a big part of your business? It's basically easy to troll if you have someone experienced setting up the gear and giving tips to deploy. It only get's hard when they actually hook something...and that's the fun part to experience with them.

Can a guide retain fish, or fish at all, while working?  (pertinent question when once considers storage of catch - can't fish while guiding in Alaska, though haven't checked OR or WA)

Dunno

How do you show somebody how to tie a knot when you are in a tandem?  (Don't trust them to turn sideways, and you can't be doing it all the time, either.)

When guiding I never teach anything, just coach. I only help if they ask but usually tell them I can help with questions afterward. Time on the water is money being spent by the client and whether or not they say it they want to go home with fish so I keep them fishing. I have 3 rods rigged on my yak and if there's issues w/ the clients' I switch rods and they're back to fishing while I'm re-rigging the rod.

How do you keep them from smacking you in the face with a 4oz lead when they have a nasty snarl? (passing a pole around, especially behind you, is problematic for sure.  Much easier to do when in your own boat parked just inside rod tip distance)

There's lots of things that are difficult and plenty of hazards. 9/10 times I guide trolling but anticipating what a client is going to do is what you should be concentrating on from the time they get in the yak.

How do you net a fish that is stubbornly staying in the bow region of the tandem? (a single boat can approach client from any angle)

Fish always have a chance of running for cover under another yak. It's just part of fishing. Coaching the client well enough to tire the fish and then drag them back to the net is how I've dealt with any issues.

If your client tips a tandem, you both go in.  (it will happen.  Murphy's law dictates it.)

While the idea of flipping is terrible, I think I'd rather go over with them. I'm of almost no help if I'm on my yak and they're in the water. If I'm in with them I can help them rescue and them pull myself in. Kayak fishing is a calculated risk.

Would you trust your client to remove that 2/0 hook that they lodged in your ear when things got squirly? (even saying "you won't need to cast today" won't keep people from doing what they know.  Can't tell you how many birds nests I had to unsnarl because the client "knew what he was doing" and decided to ignore my advice.  SO, SO many people still fish against structure that they can easily visualize, like they see on TV, and they want to cast instead of moving the boat)

I feel you but sh!t happens. I haven't had any trouble yet so I'll let you know.

How do you unsnag a fishing line from the "other" pedal drive (tandem?) or, do you trust your client to remove said pedal drive on their own boat and not drop it? (clean undersides are MUCH easier for noob fishermen to keep from snagging, especially when they don't know how to guide a fish's head)

Like was mentioned. Leash it. BTW I think in all the years of kayak fishing I may have snagged it twice.

Can you leash down everything expensive without creating a snarling nightmare and safety risk?  (doubt it)

Kayak fishing is a calculated risk and while negativity might limit the solutions in your head it does work.

Are you going to take an extra mirage drive for when one craps out once you are "out there."  (especially pertinent for single boats)

Once again I think you're playing devil's advocate about something that almost never happens. I am fit enough to pedal the yak back to the launch site by myself. If a client poops out while paddling another kayak you'll have to pedal/paddle tow them back anyway. What's the difference?

Do you WANT your clients on the water for over 3 hours? (Really, think about it.  Butt-cheeks that aren't adjusted to kayaks will often go numb after an hour or so.)

Never had a problem with that so far. Most guided trips are 5+ hours.

Is the pedal drive (when trolling) creating a multi-tasking nightmare when the clients are complete noobs?  (I think it may. It only takes a few minutes to show somebody how to paddle and troll at the same time, ESPECIALLY good in the FnD's when they DON'T have a rod holder.  Much safer for the gear, too.)

If they can't ride a bike they have no business being on the water.

My point is this, it's different but makes a great platform given you understand how to do it. Like kayak fishing itself. People prove every year that if you're a dunce it can kill you. But like we all know, if you have some knowledge, technique, and skills, it can be a very safe effective FISH killing machine.

I appreciate your experience and input but obviously you guide in a different way. No bigs. Just different. Just like some paddle and some pedal, some fly fish and some gear fish. All different approaches that have the same results.

And I agree w/ all that the Outback is a great choice for newbs. It may be slow but you could eat a 10 course meal off that sucker while pedaling.

Z

can't ride a bike guess will keep paddling by my self

In Oregon and Washington, guides can retain fish while working...