Characterizing style of participation among Texas inshore recreational fishing guides

Professional recreational fishing guides are a unique segment of the angling population. Their profession places them among an understudied population to whom Stebbins (2004) referred as "occupational devotees" and to what Bryan (1977) would refer as "highly specialized." We sought to understand how guides characterize their style of participation (SOP) and explore the possibility of heterogeneity among this seemingly homogenous group of anglers. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 guides situated along the Texas Gulf Coast. Guides characterized their SOP based on the salience of six contextual attributes: bait type, tackle type, fishing method, casting tactic, water depth, and fish species. On the basis of these attributes, four distinct SOP emerged: Bait Guides, All-purpose Guides, Lure Guides, and Sight-casting Guides. Findings suggest that an understanding of guides' contextual SOP is a useful framework for revealing heterogeneity that has implications for fisheries management.