Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing 

5.0/5 (14 reviews)
 163 Parkside Drive, Lake Placid, NY 12946, United States

Whats better than going out fishing? Going out with locals who have lived in the Adirondacks their whole lives fishing these waters. The guides at Playin’ Hooky are here to make your trip memorable.

We will do our best to make sure you have a fun day full of fishing. This involves 3 to 9-hour seasonal trips, using light tackle, fly fishing or trolling. Target fish species such as Perch, Rainbow Trout, Crappie, Lake Trout, Pike, and Bass or whatever will bite depending on the time of the year and conditions on the day.

You'll be fishing from a remodeled 2002 19' Pathfinder boat or a 2005 20’ Pathfinder with enough room in each for up to 5 anglers at any single time. These boats ride incredibly smooth on even the rough days and are in beautiful condition. Both boats have a wireless trolling motor to get the best expierence for our clients. All the necessary fishing gear is included in the price of your trip & we provide a cooler with ice to keep drinks and snack cold.

Fishing licenses aren't included, so make sure to get them prior to the trip. Children are welcome aboard, so you’re good to get the young ones started early!

Book your trip now and hit the water with Playin’ Hooky Guiding.

Playin Hooky

Charter Operator

Playin Hooky

 ID & credentials verified

Most popular features:

 Live Bait
 Child Friendly
 Ice Box
 Rods, reels & tackle

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Almost there...
Saranac Lake - Bass/Pike 3hr
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
3 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
Price for up to 5 people
US $375 
Half Day Trip – Open Water (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip May 1 - Oct 15
Price for up to 5 people
US $500 
Half Day Trip – Open Water (PM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Oct 15
Price for up to 5 people
US $500 
Full Day Trip – Open Water
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
9 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Oct 15
Price for up to 5 people
US $800 
Double Boat Half Day
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Nov 1
Price for up to 5 people
US $1,000 
Double Boat Full Day
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
9 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Nov 1
Price for up to 5 people
US $1,700 
There is 1 person looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

5.0/5
out of 5 stars from 14 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
5.0/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (21)

PB Northern Pike
Great family day
Great family day
+18

Angler rating

14
0
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

100%

Appropriate for children

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

100%

Caught fish

100%

Showing 1 - 5 of 14 reviews
Tom D.
Tom D.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great Captain

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip – Open Water (AM) on July 31, 2024

Capt. Justin was awesome! Second year we’ve gone with Playing Hooky. He is a local and been here us whole life. Knows when and where the fish are. Very informative!!! Great with all ages. Highly recommend!!

Capt. Justin was awesome! Second year we’ve gone with Playing Hooky. He is a local and been here us whole life. Knows when and where the fish are. Very informative!!! Great with all ages. Highly recommend!!  

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 Tom D. recommends Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing

Benjamin S.
Benjamin S.
4.7/5

Experience:

4.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great family day

VERIFIED

Saranac Lake - Bass/Pike 3hr on August 24, 2024

Justin was fantastic. Zooming through the the narrow channels in the flat boat to the good fishing spots was great. The kids were totally at ease the whole time so everyone could have fun. The one that got away must have been 5 lbs at least….we will definitely do this again.

Justin was fantastic. Zooming through the the narrow channels in the flat boat to the good fishing spots was great. The kids were totally at ease the whole time so everyone could have fun. The one that got away must have been 5 lbs at least….we will definitely do this again.  

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 Benjamin S. recommends Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing

Greg R.
Greg R.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great half day!

VERIFIED

Saranac Lake - Bass/Pike 3hr on July 16, 2024

I asked for something a little different in the Placid/Saranac Lake area, Justin did not disappoint. Hit some very nice, big bass. Best guide we’ve had in the area. Just book the date!

I asked for something a little different in the Placid/Saranac Lake area, Justin did not disappoint. Hit some very nice, big bass. Best guide we’ve had in the area. Just book the date!  

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 Greg R. recommends Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing

Joseph S.
Joseph S.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Highly recommend!!

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip – Open Water (AM) on July 13, 2024

Hands down my favorite fishing charter I've been on! Beautiful lake, Justin is the best and we literally stopped counting how many fish we caught. 10/10 would fish again

Hands down my favorite fishing charter I've been on! Beautiful lake, Justin is the best and we literally stopped counting how many fish we caught. 10/10 would fish again  

 Joseph S. recommends Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing

Douglas E.
Douglas E.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Perfect day

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip – Open Water (AM) on July 27, 2024

Great weather Incredible back country water Justin clearly knew the area and where to catch fish We will be back

Great weather Incredible back country water Justin clearly knew the area and where to catch fish We will be back  

 Douglas E. recommends Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing

FAQs about Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing

What are the trip rates for Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing?

Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing offers the following trips to customers:

  • US $375 per group - Saranac Lake - Bass/Pike 3hr (3 hours)
  • US $500 per group - Half Day Trip – Open Water (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $500 per group - Half Day Trip – Open Water (PM) (5 hours)
  • US $800 per group - Full Day Trip – Open Water (9 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group - Double Boat Half Day (5 hours)
  • US $1,700 per group - Double Boat Full Day (9 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing?

When you book a trip with Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:

  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box
What's included in the trip price with Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing?

Trips booked with Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing include:

  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait (We use artificial lures or hand tied flies 95% of the time. We use live bait during Icefishing season and that is included in prices)
  • Lures
  • Fly Fishing Equipment
What types of fishing does Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing offer?

Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing offers the following types of fishing:

  • River Fishing (All lakes and rivers in areas of St. Regis, Schroon Lake, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Wilmington, and many others)
  • Lake Fishing
What fishing techniques does Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing offer?

Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing offers the following fishing techniques:

  • Light Tackle
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing
  • Ice Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing?

Top targeted fish species with Playin’ Hooky Guiding - Fishing include:

  • Bass (Largemouth)
  • Bass (Smallmouth)
  • Crappie
  • Lake Trout
  • Perch (Yellow)
  • Pike (Northern)
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)

Your operator

Playin Hooky

Lake Placid, New York, United States

3 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
14 Customer reviews
Response time 12 hours
Member since October 2022

I have lived in the Adirondacks for over 30 years exploring all of its vast wilderness. Former USA Luge athlete now finding a career in sharing my passion for the Adirondacks and its beauty. Very patient with all ages and happy to teach everyone how to enjoy the sport. Highly motivated to teach proper handling techniques, sustainability of waterbodies and teaching everyone how to preserve our habitat for many generations to enjoy.

Our Team
Justin W.

Justin W.

Captain

Dylan A.

Dylan A.

Captain

The fish you can target

Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Crappie
Crappie
Lake Trout
Lake Trout
Yellow Perch
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
Northern Pike
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)

What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
5 persons
Boat length
19 ft
Year built
2002
Restored in
2025
Boat manufacturer
Pathfinder
Boat type
Center console

Engine model
Evinrude
Powered by
1 x 135HP

What kind of fishing will you do?

River Fishing

All lakes and rivers in areas of St. Regis, Schroon Lake, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Wilmington, and many others

Lake Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle

Trolling

Spinning

Jigging

Popping

Fly Fishing

Ice Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS

Fishfinder

Live Bait Well

Wireless Trolling Motor

Ice Box

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle

Live Bait

We use artificial lures or hand tied flies 95% of the time. We use live bait during Icefishing season and that is included in prices

Lures

Fly Fishing Equipment

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included

Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.

Child Friendly

All ages welcome! By law we must require anyone 12 or under to wear a lifejackets at all times. The boat is very smooth so great for all ages

Catch and Release Allowed

How you can pay

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

 Cash

 Visa

 Mastercard

 American Express

 Checks