Wade is a great host and guide, whose knowledge and expertise is appreciated.
We had a great time out on the water catching sharks, mackerel trout and other fish
I enjoyed having you aboard Afishionado on Independence Day! Thanks for choosing Afishionado Guide Services, Inc.
Unfortunately this was the worst fishing trip we have ever been on. Did we catch fish? Yes. But was Wade a complete and total jerk? Also yes. Multiple times he had my 12 year old & mother in law almost in tears because they werenโt holding their rods up high enough for him to grab the hook. He had a horrible personality and made it a horrible trip. He was a complete control freak on making sure our locations were turned off and not wanting us to take the pictures, that only he would and then send them to us, which he did. We have been on other boats with other guides and never had such a horrible experience.ย Wade doesnโt seem like he even likes doing this, so he really should stop! We shouldโve had him take us back and thrown our money in the ocean and felt better about that. He arrived to pick us up and his boat was really dirty, which we understand that happens from being out and catching bait. But donโt get mad at me for not wiping my feet โproperlyโ and be worried about me stepping on your already dirty boat and making it โdirtyโ. Also he got mad at my son and husband for stepping on the dock on dried bird poop and then having to get on his boat. Ridiculous since his boat already had bird poop on it and dead bait on the floor! Do not and I repeat do not book with him! I do not write this review lightly and understand this is his livelihood, but he should really stop! We pay good money to have a good time and enjoy being out on the water catching fish. I have never had such a horrible and hostile time while fishing! Multiple times I wanted to fake sick to make him turn around and take us back!!
Unfortunately this was the worst fishing trip we have ever been on. Did we catch fish? Yes. But was Wade a complete and total jerk? Also yes. Multiple times he had my 12 year old & mother in law almost in tears because they werenโt holding their rods up high enough for him to grab the hook. He had a horrible personality and made it a horrible trip. He was a complete control freak on making sure our locations were turned off and not wanting us to take the pictures, that only he would and then... More
DO NOT LISTEN TO KAREN, BOOK WITH WADE! Itโs said, โthere are two sides to every story.โ In 28 years of guiding professionally, this is by far the most bizarre and outrageous review Iโve ever received.
I take pride in being one of the hardest working fishing guides operating in the Tampa Bay area. Whether Iโm guiding one or six anglers to some of the worldโs best inshore fishing, youโll never catch me fishing or sitting on my butt. Iโm too busy chumming, rigging, baiting hooks, releasing fish, and taking pictures of your catch. I remain on my feet tirelessly during your entire charter making sure you have the absolutely best fishing experience available. Iโve perfected a system that allows you to keep a bait in the water the longest amount of time possible to catch the most fish. So, when I get a negative review, I take it personally.
Before I meet my clients at 8:00AM, Iโm up at 3:00AM for a 5:30AM launch at the boat ramp. Once on the water, I arrive at my bait spot before sunrise to catch bait. Some days bait is easier to catch than others. On this particular day it took a little longer than expected.
Usually, I clean the boatโs deck of grass and dead bait on the spot before greeting the client, but because I didnโt want to be late, I decided to clean it back at the dock. โI wonโt do that again!โ
Once I arrived back at the dock at 8:00AM and I greeted Oney and his family, I cleaned my boatโs deck thoroughly before placing a mat down for them to safely step aboard Afishionado. Prior to boarding, I made them all aware of the massive amount of bird poop on the end of the dock, and not to step in it. Not once did I get mad at anyone for stepping in pelican poop and tracking it on my boat. Thatโs ridiculous! I did ask that everyone wipe the bottoms of their shoes off upon boarding. I had to remind Karen twice. I guess that offended her and she misconstrued that as me being mad.
Since I just cleaned my boatโs deck, no there wasnโt dead bait, and grass all over the boat as Karen alleged, and the only pelican poop was what Karen tracked on. Which I immediately cleaned up. If you look closely at the pictures that I took throughout the day, it clearly shows a clean deck.
Once we left the dock at 8:07AM, we arrived at our first fishing spot within 10 minutes. The first thing I did was step on the front of the deck and tell everyone all I do is stand by the live-well in the back, bait hooks, and release fish. All they have to do is cast and reel in fish. I also explained to everyone how high to place the rod tip so I can easily bait the hook. Easy-Peasy! Most people get, a few donโt. Oney and Karen barely watched or even listened to a word I had to say.
I ask people to reel within two feet of the hook and place the hook in front of my face for a bait, not the rod tip. If constantly reminding Karenโs 12 year old son and mother-in-law to raise their rod tip for a bait traumatized them to tears, I didnโt see, or sense that. In fact, the mother-in-law was screaming and laughing hysterically throughout the trip while having the time of her life. Again, reference my pictures and the smiles on everyoneโs faces. Does it look like anyone is having a horrible experience?
Regarding location services. One of the first things I ask people to do is turn off the location services on their phone to prevent geotagging. For some reason this offends some people. Depending on where Iโm fishing, photography isnโt allowed at all other than by me. But, on this day we were not near any distinctive landmarks, so they indeed were taking photos and video. Again, this is clearly outlined in one of the pictures I took of Karenโs oldest son filming his grandmother.
Regarding Karen wanting to fake being sick. Who does that? At any time had she ask me to cut their trip short and take them back to the dock early, I would a have gladly obliged, but she didnโt. In fact. After catching fish non-stop for over two hours at our first stop, I pulled anchor and suggested that we head out another five miles into Tampa Bay in pursuit of Spanish mackerel. Not once did Karen say, no please take us back, weโre having a horrible time, please!
Once at the next spot, I started chumming and right away we caught Spanish mackerel, three stingrays, and a few other species. It seemed to me everyone was having a blast. Just look at that bend in the G-Lommis rod Karenโs mother-in-law was using. I actually extended their trip an hour at no charge.
Once back at dock, five hours later on a scheduled 8-12 trip. I thanked everyone and kindly asked for a five-star review. You canโt imagine how blindsided I was by Karenโs remarks.
Maybe I joked about something that led Karen to believe donโt like my job. My business hasnโt thrived by me being a jerk. Since Karenโs April 16 outing, Iโve received 11 five-star reviews on various platforms. Thatโs what keeps me going.
DO NOT LISTEN TO KAREN, BOOK WITH WADE! Itโs said, โthere are two sides to every story.โ In 28 years of guiding professionally, this is by far the most bizarre and outrageous review Iโve ever received. I take pride in being one of the hardest working fishing guides operating in the Tampa Bay area. Whether Iโm guiding one or six anglers to some of the worldโs best inshore fishing, youโll never catch me fishing or sitting on my butt. Iโm too busy chumming, rigging,... More
Had a great time the fish just werenโt biting
James Iโm glad everyone had a good time despite the slow fishing. The very next day, it was like someone flipped on a light switch and we filled up the fish box. Thanks again for choosing Afishionado Guide Services, Inc.