Lake Powell Boat Rental or Guide

[IA Born]

My wife and I are talking about going up to Lake Powell in a couple of weekends to have a family day up there before school starts up again and we have no more free weekends (soccer, TaeKwanDo, Hunter Ed, etc.). We're talking about renting a boat, which I'm hoping will convince her to let us pull the trigger on our own boat. I've never been to Powell, so finding our way around to fishing areas could be challenging, although I don't think it will be that bad. I also threw out the idea of just getting a guide for a day to ensure the kids have a blast catching fish and we can learn our way around. I've done some limited research on boat rentals up there and we're not looking for the ultimate party boat, if we go that route. I'd like something we can explore and fish from.

 

So I have a 2-part question.

 

1) Any recommendations for boat rentals that won't break the bank and give us fishing opportunities ($200-$350/day)

2) Any recommendations for guided fishing trips that won't break the bank?

 

Thanks in advance!

[5guyshunting]

I have been there 3 times. I would suggest a guide , so you dont get lost or tear up a rental boat. I have never hired anyone, I went with people who knew the lake. A seven day vacation on powell is better than hawaii.

[Allforelk]

I haven't been up since 2011. At that time, rentals at Antelope were atrocious. I think it was over $375 for a scow. You can get into the bass (tons of smallmouth) on just about any rock ledge you can find. Weather on the lake that time of year can be unpredictable. We've gone from sunny skies to 3-4 foot swells in 30 minutes. Can be a little scary when you have a 40 minute ride back to the marina.

[standman]

I'm headed up there Thursday with a friend. Will be my first trip up there fishing. Friend had been up quit a few times this spring and summer. Fishing has been spectacular.

 

Brian