What to expect on a guided trip with me
What kind of trips are available? We offer guided boat trips for fishing lakes in the DFW area, including: Lewisville and Grapevine. We will also occasionally guide on other area lakes such as Joe Pool, Ray Roberts, Lavon and Ray Hubbard. All of our trips are designed to target Crappie but other species may inadvertently be caught including white bass, black bass, hybrids, stripers, catfish and more. Again, more information on the trips can be found on the web at kidkrappie.com
Cost of the trips? As of May 2025, the costs of the trips are as follows:
• Boat trip: $250 for one and 350$ for two for a half day trip (6 hours). add 100$ to each for a full day (8 hours)
Due to circumstances beyond our control such as inflation and economic conditions, our prices are subject to change at any time. Guests will be notified in advance of any changes.
Any additional charges? If a distant lake is acceptable to Kid Krappie, there will be a surcharge of $50 for long distance trips (outside a 50-mile radius of Irving, Texas; our home area). Any long-distance trips must be scheduled as “all day” trips. Also, if a guest loses one of our fishing rods or other equipment (for example, drops a rod or tackle box in the water that can’t be recovered) or breaks it through careless usage (for example steps on it), guests will be required to reimburse us for the reasonable replacement cost of the lost or broken item.
Method(s) of payment accepted? Our preferred method of payment is cash as well as mobile payment via Venmo, Zelle and CashApp due at the time of the trip. We require a $50 nonrefundable deposit (or reservation fee) toward the cost of the trip. This deposit must be made promptly after booking a trip and must be paid using these same payment methods, unless we approve other arrangements. Personal checks will not be accepted without prior approval. A booked trip will be considered “pending” (and not confirmed) until the deposit is received by us. Once the deposit is received, you will get an email that your booked trip is confirmed and our booking calendar on the KidKrappie.com website will reflect the approved status of your booked trip.
Does the guide accept tips? Guests often recognize the substantial time and effort that the KidKrappieguide has expended in planning, scouting, and preparing to make the trip successful and memorable for each and every guest, and they often wish to reward the guide accordingly. As such, tips for the guide are gladly accepted and appreciated. However, tips are not required.
What is the appropriate tip amount for a fishing guide? This is a fairly common question. A fishing guide is in the service industry, not unlike being a waiter/waitress. So, 15% is a very common tip percentage to give your guide at the end of the trip. As always, if you feel the service you received that day far exceeded expectations, 20% or more is always greatly appreciated.
Cancellation and rescheduling? Scheduled guided trips are held rain or shine, however the Kid Krappie guide will ultimately determine whether or not it is best to venture out into giant reservoirs under uncertain conditions. In the event of dangerous weather or water conditions or other circumstances beyond his control, the Kid Krappie guide alone reserves the right to postpone the trip. If the Kid Krappie guide postpones the trip, he will coordinate with the booking guest to reschedule the trip. Booking guests who cancel at least 48 hours before the time of the trip may apply the deposit to a rescheduled trip (or forfeit the deposit if no rescheduling is made). In the event that the booking guest cancels the trip with less than 48 hours to the time of the trip, the $50 deposit will be forfeited and serve as a cancellation fee (and not used as a deposit for a rescheduled trip). We may, at our sole discretion, give consideration to a booking guest’s extenuating circumstances with regard to the cancellation fee.
Expectations and results?
We will provide the guiding service on a “best efforts” basis without a guarantee of the guests catching a limit of fish or of catching any given number of fish. While the guide typically scouts or investigates t he selected waters prior to the date of the trip, catching success cannot be certain. The fish’s mood, location and feeding behavior can vary day by day and even hour by hour due to many factors such as weather, water conditions, seasonal movements, reproductive cycle, lunar phase and other environmental factors. Nonetheless, we will do our very best to give you the opportunity to be successful.
Communications with the guide?
Kid Krappie will use the contact information provided during booking of the trip (on our website’s Booking page) to contact the booking guest in advance of the trip to discuss meeting location at the water, start time, hopes and expectations, and any other matters or questions pertaining to the specific trip.
Times and duration? The start time and duration of trips may vary depending on the time of sunrise/sunset, the weather or water conditions, and the observed times of fish activity. The half day morning trip typically begins early morning (but not usually at the crack of dawn) and lasts for about 5 hours. The half day afternoon trip typically runs from early/mid-afternoon and lasts for about 5 hours. All day is about 8 hours long. The start times may vary depending on weather and the results of previous scouting trips a s to when the fish begin feeding or are otherwise most active.
Can I select my preferred lake? Provided we guide on your preferred lake, we may allow guests to select that body of water. However, prior to the time of your trip, we may suggest fishing another lake on which we guide if Crappie fishing activity and/or water conditions are substantially better.
Who are the trips designed for(skilllevel,age,etc.)? We can guide guests of nearly any age and skill level. Even if one has never fished before, we can make your first outing a success. While we have guided a number elementary school age children, introducing a child to Crappie fishing should involve one key ingredient-- FUN!! Fishing for Crappie around timber requires patience and strength so we recommend that youngsters be at least of elementary school age or older to make a trip.
What watercraft(s) do you use? For boat fishing, we use a 17.5 ft 2007 Stratos 176XT bass fishing boat with a 50HP Yamaha outboard motor. The boat has a wide beam for fishing comfort. Our boat is equipped with a Garmin Panoptix Livescope fish finder technology on the bow for real-time viewing of Crappie. We have dual seating positions on the front deck for comfortable seating for two while fishing.
What equipment and resources are included? We provide fishing rods (one per person), the necessary tackle (jigs and minnow hooks), and live bait. We have personal floatation device (PFD or life vests) available. We have a first aid kit onboard the boat for minor injuries.
What services are included? In addition to the guiding services, we provide, cold drinks, and smiles, laughter, whoops, cheers and high-fives are also generously provided. Fish cleaning (fillet) is offered on each trip at no additional charge. Some guests prefer to clean their own fish at home and that is no problem. Please bring something to take the fish home in whether it be a bucket or cooler that will hold ice. On most Texas lakes, the daily possession limit for Crappie is 25 per person (for the guests only; a “guide” cannot keep any).
Can I bring and use my own equipment / tackle? While we prefer that guests use our provided equipment, guests may bring their own fishing rod, limited tackle and personal floatation devices. We select the gear for our guests for specific reasons and so we do ask that any equipment or tackle brought by guests be suitable for Crappie fishing. For example, bringing a very short rod may not be suitable for vertical fishing near flooded timber or brush piles (you just can’t reach the fish without getting too close and perhaps spooking them). The same goes for heavy weight rods or extra heavy fishing line. You don’t use a hammer to kill a fly.
What should I bring? Valid fishing license, funds (if paying with cash), hat, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, camera/smart phone, and a snack if preferred (drinks provided). Wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for the weather, especially in consideration of the hot days of summer. If potential rain is forecast, you may also want to bring a rain jacket ; and quick dry clothes are always a plus.
Mobility & health issues? Please let us know at the time your reservation is confirmed of any mobility or health issues which could impact the trip. We will endeavor to accommodate any such issues if we can. Bring and take your prescribed medication as needed. If a guest is prone to motion sickness or seasickness, it may be advisable to bring medication or other remedies. While the boat is sturdy and handles rough water well, wind and actions by other boats can cause waves that could moderately rock the boat. While most people are not affected by gentle or moderate rocking, those bothered by even gentle movements should plan accordingly.
What about guest etiquette? We endeavor to treat all of our guests with mutual respect, common courtesy and an agreeable disposition. We ask the same of our guests. Come with an open mind and a willingness to learn, and you will get the most out of the fishing experience. The occasional “know-it-all” guest usually doesn’t do as well or have as much fun as others willing to listen, learn and practice.
Risks and Responsibilities? We require that every guest signs a waiver and release form that acknowledges the inherent risks, dangers and hazards of fishing and boating, along with some other common provisions. Please be aware and understand that your guided fishing trip WILL NOT start without you first signing and delivering a waiver and release form for yourself and for minor children, if any.
Taking and use of Photos and Videos? Upon request, we will take some photos and/or video of guests with their smart phone or camera equipment. Guests typically want a few photos of their catch at the end of the trip and we are more than happy the help with that. Also, the waiver and release form mentioned above states that guests give consent to the free use by Kid Krappie of any photos and video of them taken by us during the trip (for social media or promotional purposes).
THANK YOU for choosing Kid Krappie for your guided fishing trip. We truly appreciate your business. If you have additional questions that we have not covered or otherwise adequately addressed in this FAQ, please feel free to contact us at the phone number or email address below.
Kid Krappie Guide Service - Anthony Ruyle