About
I am a professional fishing guide with a coaching/teaching style and have fished the central Texas waters for over 25 years now. I provide all fishing and safety equipment. I do all catch-and-release fishing year 'round, primarily for white bass and hybrid striped bass.
I fish on Lake Belton, Stillhouse Hollow, Georgetown, Decker, Granger, and Bastrop. I have guided professionally for the last 11 years. Prior to this I served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, worked in industry as an environmental engineer, and then retired from full-time ministry after 14 years.
My clients and I hold a number of state and water body records.
Please explore further through my website www.HoldingTheLineGuideService.com or through Facebook at www.Facebook.com/bobmaindelle
The pursuit of fish is, to me, an incomparable, lifelong challenge that tests the mind, the body, and even the will. The timeless variables of weather, wind, forage location, light, temperature and pressure prevent any one day's pursuit from being like the chase of any other day. Every sunrise holds new promise, every storm front brings change, every season nudges fish movements, and though the cycle has repeated since the beginning of time, I believe the code will never be fully deciphered. But there are some who understand parts of the code. I am one. And that understanding breeds a desire to preserve and to protect that same Creation that is pursued.
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Bob M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to assess where a student is before we meet at the lake to understand what he or she desires to accomplish. Given the time of year and the lake conditions, I'll then let the student know whether such objectives are attainable, and, if not, when they would be.
Once we meet in person, I like the crawl - walk - run style of teaching. We start off simply and get more complex once fundamentals are understood.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY, 1987-1991). This degree was rich in math, science, and engineering, and so I bring a very analytical approach to my fishing and instruction.
I maintain an extensive data base on fishing results and lake data which yields trends that are helpful to me and my clients.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
As of November of 2018, my standard pricing for a guided multi-species trip for up to two students is $245 for 4 hours.
My standard pricing for a guided hybrid striped bass trip using live shad for up to three students is $305 for 4 hours.
I offer a $30 military discount.
How did you get started teaching?
I began providing coaching to those interested in fishing while serving as the Children's Pastor at a local church (from which I retired after 14 years).
Some of the youngsters whose parents were deployed in the Iraqi War were having a difficult time coping with the absence.
I began taking such children fishing as a therapeutic outing and gained much insight on how best to explain fishing techniques to anglers of all ages.
What types of students have you worked with?
My youngest anglers are age 4, and I've welcome anglers over the age of 90 aboard as well. I've also worked with anglers with special needs, both physical and mental.
The best student is one who is ready and willing to learn, but who is not so eager that they get ahead of the instruction.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Each year I have a number of anglers land their first fish while aboard my boat. Such anglers qualify for a Texas Parks and Wildlife "First Fish Award".
Because I write a weekly fishing column for the local Killeen Daily Herald newspaper, I am often able to related the story of an angler's first catch in the paper.
It is exciting to help a person experience all of these things while also making a living doing it.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Don't try to guide the guide. If an experienced fishing guide tells you that a particular tactic for a particular species is just inappropriate under the conditions you face or in the season your are in, trust him on that.
Other than that, show up with a good attitude and realize that "practice makes perfect". You will not walk away an expert after one lesson, but you will have more building blocks to create a foundation with.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
If you are really serious about becoming good at fishing:
1. Are you willing to keep a journal of your successes and failures?
2. Are you willing to fish the same body of water under various conditions and in all seasons?
3. (For boat anglers) Are you prepared to invest in quality marine electronics (i.e. fishfinders or depthsounders)?