Frequently Asked Questions

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Almost everything our clients need, like rods, reels, tackle, PFDs, drinks, lunch, and even sunscreen, is provided by us. 

Clients are responsible for bringing their fishing license (or an easily accessed image of fishing license on phone), driver's license or ID, and some form of payment for the trip. We do highly recommend that our clients bring sunglasses (preferably polarized), a hat, and a hair tie or some way to bind longer hair while riding at faster speeds. 

Don't worry about wallets, phones, or other valuables getting damaged by water. We will have a waterproof compartment or drybag to store your valuables in. We do encourage you to pack as lightly as possible as room on the boat is limited, and it will be more comfortable and easier for you to move around with less stuff on board.

We want our clients to be warm, dry, and as comfortable as possible, but as you know, weather can be very unpredictable. The way you will need to dress for your trip largely depends on what season you book in, the time of day you book, and the weather forecast for that day. The best thing to do is to contact your guide once you know when your trip is scheduled. This will give them a better idea of possible conditions, so they can help you prepare.

No matter how warm you think it is going to be, remember that it is always cooler over water, and it is colder when you are riding on a boat at fast speeds. Please don't assume it will be warm because of what you see on the weather forecast. If your guide gives you advice on the type of clothing you should wear, please take that into consideration. Remember, they've done this many times.

Though everything you will need to bass fish is provided for you, you are more than welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer.

If you want to target another species besides bass, you'll need to let your guide know in advance. This will allow us to give you an idea of what we may be able to provide and what you'll need to bring yourself.

Absolutely! We are passionate about introducing new people to this fun, exciting sport. We'll be honored to be there for your first experience, and we guarantee we will be extremely patient with you. 

Clients are welcome to book trips at any time of day, especially since we offer Scenic Boating Trips as well as fishing. However, if you are booking a fishing trip, especially in the heat of summer, it may be vital for you to book that trip in the early morning or late evening. This will not only better your chances of catching fish and enjoying the topwater bite, but will also ensure that you're not on the boat melting during the mid-day heat.

There are other times of the year when it's cooler and therefore not so vital to be on the water at those times, so talk to your guide when you're ready to book and ya'll can work out what's best at that specific time.

You may have some choice about where you fish, depending on what package you have booked. When booking River Jet Boat Trips, you can have the choice of fishing in Bluestone Lake or choosing between the two rivers, the New and Bluestone, that run into the lake. If you're booking a Full Day River Jet Boat Trip, you may have time to explore much of this area.

If you're booking a rafting trip, you cannot choose the area. Your guide will have a designated area that they will be taking you through.

No matter what, there will be times when your guide will have to choose your destination based on fish movement and patterns, water levels, water clarity, etc.

Only two people can comfortably fish from the river jet boats or the rafts. If you put any more anglers in, casting is extremely difficult and the risk of someone getting hooked grows exponentially. 

However, if you're booking other types of outings, like Scenic Trips or crappie fishing trips in which casting isn't an issue, it may be possible to add one more person to the boat. 

Call Outcast Fishing for more info.

Depending on availability, you can book trips for more than two people. We would either need to book multiple rafts, or we can do a 'Boat & Float' with two clients in a raft and two in a boat. 

Call Outcast Fishing for more info or to inquire about availability.

Depending on availability, you may be able to book a spot on one of our boats for one person.

Call Outcast Fishing for more info.

Children are very welcome on our trips. There's nothing better than seeing the joy and amazement of catching fish through the eyes of a child!

Due to dangers like a pet getting hooked or possibly getting out of the boat and getting lost in the woods, we would prefer that you leave the fur-babies at home.

In reality, fishing is not what you see on TV, FB, or Instagram. Fish are unpredictable and any changes in environment, such as water temp., water clarity, drop or rise in water levels, wind, air temp., barometric pressure, moon phases, etc., can turn the bite off (or on) in a second.

With that being said, we very rarely have days when we go out and catch nothing. Bad conditions make it harder to get the fish to bite, but not impossible! With lots of patience and persistence, we can usually coax them to bite.

We do not keep any bass from our fishing trips.

If you are booking a fishing trip to fish for another species, like crappie or catfish, talk to your guide about whether you'll be able to keep any of that species. 

Though the tackle and gear we provide are for bass fishing, we can equip the boat for other types of fishing, like fly fishing or fishing for crappie, catfish, walleye, musky, etc. 

Depending on the type of fishing you want to do, you'll need to contact the company to see what they may be able to provide and what you may need to bring yourself.

We do sell gift certificates. They are the perfect gift idea for anniversaries, Father's Day, Mother's Day, birthdays, Christmas, retirement, or even just to let someone know you're thinking of them.

If you're interested in purchasing a gift certificate from Outcast Fishing & Outdoor Adventures, give us a call at (540)235-7355 or email us at outcastoutdooradventures@gmail.com.

We know that it can be difficult to pick out gifts for other people. For that reason, we offer gift certificates for specific packages and gift certificates for a specific dollar amount, so the recipient can choose what they'd like to do themselves. 

If you're interested in purchasing a gift certificate from Outcast Fishing & Outdoor Adventures, give us a call at (540)235-7355 or email us at outcastoutdooradventures@gmail.com.

As of right now, we do not require a deposit to hold the date. 

We expect the common courtesy from our clients to keep their appointments or to let us know well in advance if they cannot. (Barring any last minute emergency, of course.)

Payment will be due the night before your trip or the morning of. 

ALL FEES MUST BE PAID BEFORE THE BOAT LEAVES FOR THE TRIP!

We accept most major credit cards, cash payments, and business checks. 

NO PERSONAL CHECKS, PLEASE.

As with any industry, tipping is entirely up to you. If you've ever owned a boat, you'll understand the expenses from maintenance and upkeep can be substantial. If you feel your guide has gone above and beyond and would like to tip them, it would be appreciated. The average tip for fishing guides is between 15 and 20% If you would prefer not to tip, that is completely fine, also. We just appreciate your business.

If we're expecting rain on the day of your trip, we would advise you to bring Gortex or some type of rain gear. We will not cancel fishing trips due to mild or moderate rain, especially since a little shower can turn the bite on. If it starts raining hard, we can shelter under trees and provide you with a 'one size fits all' plastic poncho if you do not have rain gear.

If severe weather, thunderstorms, or flash flooding is expected, your guide may contact you to reschedule the trip. Our clients' safety is the most important thing.

If a client has to cancel, we would greatly appreciate as much notice as possible. There is a lot that goes into getting the boat, lunch, tackle, and other supplies ready for your trip, and your guide may live as far as 45 minutes away from the landing. 

Please do not be a NO CALL - NO SHOW. Please be respectful and call as soon as you realize that something has come up. I promise you'll find that we're very understanding.

The guide will only cancel the trip if they have had a serious emergency and cannot find another guide to fill in for them, or they may cancel if severe weather seems imminent and it is not safe to take clients out on the water.

If your guide has to cancel the trip, you will have a choice between a refund (if you have already paid) or rescheduling your trip.

If you choose to reschedule, we'll do everything we can to schedule you as fast as possible, especially if you are visiting from out of town for a limited amount of time. 

If you are late to the meeting destination on the morning of your trip, it will be entirely up to your guide if they want to wait on you. You'll have to contact them to make sure they're okay with waiting.

If your guide chooses to wait on you, the time you're late will be counted against your trip. For example, if you're 45 minutes late and you have a 4 hour trip booked, the guide will take you on a trip for 3 hours and 15 minutes.