Baileys Beaver Lake Striper Guide Service

Andrew Stith

2023-11

We had 2 or 3 bites the whole day and couldn't find the fish; That's fishing. Bigger story is: First attempt to fish (April) was rained out and there is a no refund policy; we reschedule at a later date. We scheduled a second vacation into the area solely to fish (August). We were told 4am departure because, "the fish were only biting before 7." My family arrived at 4:10 (pretty good for 2 kids and driving in the dark, unfamiliar area). Our departure turned into a secondry captain showing up at 515am and launching the boat; "Technical difficulties" according our origional captain. We find out our origional captain took a seperate chater out that morning instead of taking us. Secondary captain, Scotty, was very nice. However, our first fishing pole went into the water around 615am (2+ hours after we were told to be at the boat ramp). We have been on many fishing charters, not catching a single fish is a first for us; you pay for the knowledge and experience to put a customer on fish. I do not recommend a summer fishing charter here. Maybe other seasons are better. Based on our experience, I won't find out.

Brad & Alissa Porter

2022-05

What an amazing day of fishing. If you have a chance and have always wanted to try your hand at Striper fishing check these guys out, they are the real deal. Jason was our guide and went above and beyond getting us on the fish and made the entire experience amazing. We have already decided to try another trip this fall and try and get Jason as our guide again. Thanks for the great time.

Tyler Vance

2023-05

Had a great time out on the water! Lance worked hard to put us on the fish and all the striper were in the 8-13 pound range. It is cool that they use 3 boats and communicate with each other to find where the fish are biting. Also cooked the striper that same day and turned out great! Would love to go back out soon with Baileys Guide Service.

James Stephens

2021-05

Mike was out injured and we got Jason as our guide. Poor guy was running hard doing 2 a day trips and still was as motivated as can be. NEVER stopped trying to get us fish. Mike shuffled things around and kept our 3 days seamless through it all. Caught 7 nice fish, got to know Jason and the lake. Very enjoyable, professional experience, they know what they're doing. Not amateur hour with Jason, good personality too.

Michael Hazleton

2023-05

Went fishing with Bailey 2 days in a row and caught trophy fish both days. I have used them on multiple occasions they always communicate well always where and when they say they will be and have a knowledge of the lake second to none. Don’t make a mistake by booking with another guide if you want trophy fish on Beaver lake Baileys is the way to go.

Joyce Davis

2023-05

Early season trip with family. Big fish 25 lb very safe and well equipped service.Have used others in the past but really enjoyed fishing with Bailey's tite lines to all!

Joshua Allen Welch

2023-08

I have fished for Striper three times with Bailey’s. Never caught a fish.After my last trip, I received a text from the owner telling me that I owed him $50 more for an extra person that was on our boat that morning. He never offered to try again, he never offered to do better, the guides only have one way of fishing and one or two places to fish. At least it seems that way from the times that I have gone out. The Guide’s are not very personable, our last Guide seemed more interested in smoking his vape pen than fishing. There are weird rules on the boat like no flashlights. Our first trip out, I had my young daughters with me, and of course we were loading on the boat in the dark on a shady looking dock. Bailey himself, very rudely, told my daughter to turn her phone light off because she was ruining his night vision. She could not see to enter the boat and tripped. If I could give a zero star rating, I would.I realize that fishing is fishing but to be skunked three times? To me, it is not worth the money.

Chad Colocar

2022-05

Jason took us out and we came back with a heavy cooler! Broiled the striper and they taste delicious! The meat seems tough at first but after cooking, it’s really tender and not too fishy at all

Eddie Humes

2018-05

What a Great Trip on the Water!!!! Matt our guide was awesome very into what he was doing for us that day. My Boy and I had been before, but my brother-In-Law and nephew had not and they totally enjoyed the trip and the guides service and some great fishing. Mike and Matt at Baileys Guide Service will put you on some fish and be ready for the Big Ones. Great Time... I truly recommend these two guys. It will make for some Great Memories enjoy your Tight Lines we did. See ya next time around

Kelley Rampey

2023-08

This was our first time to ever go striper fishing. It was so much fun and Adam, our fishing guide, made this a wonderful experience.

Brian Flu

2018-05

Mike worked hard to get us on the fish. We had 4 in our party and all of us had fish in the boat. I landed a 30# striper and we had a great morning. I would recommend a trip with them. Thank you for the great experience.Brian Fluharty

Taresa Spain

2023-07

Thank you for making my dad's 80th perfect!!! I wasn't sure what to expect but omg im not sure it could have been any better!

Cameron Munro

2023-07

Very average experience. Sure, the fishing was tough and I get that you can't predict what it'll be like, but a guide can control their effort to get you on fish. We had to ask our guide if we could use other rods to throw some surface lures, and then ask again if we could throw some jigs. If it was up to him we would have just trolled at a slow pace with live bait for 5 hours straight. There has to be some awareness to switch things up and make it interesting for the folks on the boat. The guiding was very one dimensional and my dad and I are very experienced at fishing so overall it was disappointing.

Donna Covell

2023-07

My husband Rex reached out to Mike and personally thanked him and wanted Jason to also know how much of a pleasure it was to have him as their guide. Rex says he worked hard to put him and our boys on fish and he succeeded. It was like fishing with an old friend he said. Thanks Jason for making that morning a success for the three of them! It was Rex’s 60th Birthday fishing trip with our boys and we appreciated the great fun they had! It was awesome!!(Thanks from Rex, Halen & Aaron)

Lisa Clinton

2018-05

My first time to fish for stripper this morning unbelievably the big one of the morning My Forever Loving husband caught his first one to, but mine is the bigger And we both agree Bailey's is the only one to go out with!!!!!! Amazing time thank you Mike Bailey looking forward to the next time out.

Ronnie Sullins

2023-05

Had an amazing time with Mike! Very knowledgeable and friendly! Not only got to learn alot but take home some nice Stripers which was a first for me! Can't wait to do it again sometime!

K Bumgard

2023-07

This was the most unprofessional guide service I have ever encountered. They would get a negative rating if I could. We found out when we got there that they brought on a friend of the owner to help and we’re not with the actual guide- the guide/owner did not say hello or introduce himself when we showed in the morning. He did not respond to messages unless it was for money. I get slow fishing times but only catching one fish for three people isn’t the only reason for this rating. To start, I Wasn’t offered a pole to fish but the husband was. In fact they never let me take a pole, why did I pay?? I am an experienced fisher and have fished with other guides, never have I been treated so badly or faced such severe sexism. This company is Not kid friendly at all! They didn’t offer life jackets, we had to grab them from on the boat for our daughter along with refusing to let her fish very often. They did not give us an option of going for other fish species or smaller fish when the striper weren’t biting. Instead the “guide” told us the lake is horrible for largemouth bass and crappie so much so that they don’t have tournaments- needless to say a couple of conversations with locals later, found out they were complete lies! The boat didn’t seem set up for other fish species. Obviously they just didn’t want to fish or actually guide. When we were leaving the guy said come back next time for three days so we can find the fish over that time- why am I paying for a guide if I have to pay for three days of me finding my own fish?? Very late notice to move start time up hours. Positive: we were moved around the lake looking for striper but passed many areas where others were catching fish. Saw one of the other groups and they didn’t catch any stripper either. I would highly suggest asking beforehand if the striper are biting, if you will get the actual guide, and don’t book if you are a woman or have kids with you.

Jeff Danley

2019-05

Mike is an awesome Striper fishing guide on Beaver Lake. He’d had us on some nice stripers very quickly and he works very hard to ensure you have a very enjoyable fishing trip! Thanks Mike.

Kevin W. McCawley

2023-05

Very professional, very knowledgeable, nice equipment, great customer service. I couldn't have asked for anything more from Bailey. He put me on a trophy sized striper (40lbs.) in just a couple of hours time. I wouldn't consider going anywhere else and neither should anyone else that's thinking of taking a guided fishing trip. There is a reason they've been doing business for 20+ years and it clearly shows.

Lacey Smith

2022-05

Mike was a great guide! Took some family out when they came to visit & my husband caught a big one! We had a great time!! Highly recommend!!

Zack Beaver

2023-05

Pros: Mike and Lance were extremely professional and communicative. This was our first trip to the area and they helped make it great. There was high heat (bad fishing weather) while we were there and they kept us in constant contact and updated us to make sure we knew what was happening. Originally thought we'd have to cancel for weather but they were able to make it work. Lance did an amazing job with my young kids and made sure they had fun and learned about the lake and fish too. Plus, I caught my first striper which was totally awesome.Cons: The high heat during the week we traveled made fishing tough. Our captain did an amazing job staying on top of the fish and getting live bait on so we did end up catching a few. Just something to keep in mind that the guides don't control the fish or the weather and we had a great time thanks to their work!

Dick Sealand

2023-05

I took my boy fishing three weeks ago and just can’t get over this company’s lack of courtesy. We were trolling for walleye when a large boat (ours was only 14ft) came full throttle at us. It turned slightly and drove over our lines. It then motored slowly by us and the guy said something along the lines of “that’s my spot”, then motored off fast. I didn’t know that the lake had reserved spots. I only get to fish with my son a few times a year and this guy totally ruined our day together. I can’t imagine how awkward it was for his clients on the boat. The company website was right on the side of the boat. A guide at the ramp informed me that the owner of this business got out of prison early due to Covid, which didn’t surprise me at all based on my experience.

Walter Bradley

2023-06

I feel like Mike didn't try very hard to find fish. I did not catch a striper onlya sm smallmouth and a sand bass. One small striper and a decent smally was caught.. it was very offensive for him to talk down about trans and queers as he put. I have family in that category. All other guides I've use would be 10 betterSorry Mike. You dropped the Ball

Garret G

2022-05

Not only did Mike accommodate a last-minute trip request, he put us right on some great fish (including one right at 25 lbs). Mike and his guys know that fishery as well as anyone on the lake and work hard to make their trips a success. Fished with them before and will again soon.

Pat Steenburg

2022-05

Just a quick shout out to Mike and the rest of the crew at Bailey's Beaver Lake Striper Guide Service. My son and I were coming through town and wanted to sample some Arkansas fishing, we made a good choice. Mr. Bailey was our guide for the day, he not only knew the fish and the lake, he knew local history, geography, economics, and the biology of the fish we were chasing. The boat was top notch, as was the the equipment, the tackle, and the experience. Thank you again sir, we'll be back and hoping for another 41 pound striper.

Sarah Johnson

2022-05

We had a blast today! My 9 & 6 year old had the best day ever…and so did Mom!! Of course catching fish made the experience spectacular but Cap Bailey was equally as wonderful. He’s patient with kiddos and knows what he’s doing on Beaver Lake - Experienced, top of the line equipment, and personable. You can tell he loves chartering!! Go Beaver Safari!!

Shen Catteau

2022-05

Me and two buddies went out on a trip with Mr. Bailey. We didn’t catch anything for 6 hours. Just watched our poles anticipating for a bite. Now I understand fish sometime don’t cooperate that’s fine but Mr. Bailey made 0 effort to do anything new. We trolled the same areas over and over not moving to another location. He didn’t suggest throwing another bait. There was 0 effort put in and that was my issue with this trip. I’ve been on countless trips where the the guide kept switching up lures if something wasn’t working. Relocating to different positions and really showed that they were at least trying even if we weren’t catching anything. You will not get this kind of effort on this trip. After the trip Mr. Bailey sent us a $50 off coupon for another trip, but usually in the fishing industry if your clients don’t catch any fish you would think the very least you could do is offer another half day trip and try again.

Ryan Perry

2021-05

We fished with Mike and he did an excellent job. Weather for the day had the fish not wanting to cooperate but Mike kept us on the fish with extra effort and we finally connected on a trophy for my grandfather which made for a lifetime memory. Mike was very friendly and social and we will definitely ask for him again.

Ryan Letterman

2023-05

Not catching any strippers except for one maybe that got off was the least of my worries. Fishing is fishing you have them days where they just don’t bit and it was are day. The day ended with nothing to take home except a empty wallet cause I still paid full price. After the guide dropped us off we walk up to the car and was in the car when he approached and said we have not paid the remaining balance. After he got mike on the phone and I proved we have paid he confirmed we did. While the guide had mike on speakerphone mike said hope they give you a big tip. Not in any way did mike say thanks today or even tried to see if we would want to come back. I’m not mad at the guide for this as he was just doing what the boss mike wanted. Looking back at some of the reviews they are never at fault. I should have done some research before booking with them. My fault.

Lynie Jasven

2021-05

Mike is the most experienced Striper fishing guide I've ever been with. I had the best time with Mike and we limited out within an hour! Can't wait to go again!! Highly recommend Mike to anyone and all who want the greatest fishing trip of a lifetime!