About

A U.S. Coast Guard Licensed & CPR/First-Aid Certified Captain

To help you get to know your Captain, my name is Eric Welch and I was born and raised in the North Georgia mountains. Not only am I a “local” though, I am also a full-time guide and avid tournament angler. I have almost 40 years of local lake knowledge that ensures each and every trip is successful. Nothing better than fishing with a local who knows all tips and tricks.

I am also USCG Licensed Guide, as well as CPR & First-Aid Certified.

I have been married for nearly 30 years and have a very talented daughter. Together, their support allows me to make a living doing what I love most… guiding.

Why choose me?

The unique thing about my location is that I have access to several different lakes in three states close by (Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina). The longest travel time from my location is about one hour making it easy for me to guide you on practically any lake in North Georgia you desire.

With my guide service, I welcome all types of anglers from rookies to tournament anglers. I will cater to whatever knowledge you want to concentrate on: finesse techniques, ledge fishing, electronics, and also hooking Smallmouth, Largemouth, and Spotted Bass.

I look at everyday on the lake as a new adventure. I enjoy guiding clients and teaching them new techniques that they can in turn use on their own local waters with success. It can be as simple as teaching clients how to read their electronics correctly to locate bass or showing them how to drop-shot using their electronics. I’m confident I have the experience to improve all each clients bass fishing knowledge.

-Eric Welch

Curious what you will be fishing in?

Boat Specs:

  • Boat: 2017 21′ Phoenix 921 PHX (can accommodate 3 anglers + myself)
  • Motor: Mercury 250Pro XS 4 Stroke
  • Trolling Motor: Minn Kota Ultrex
  • Technology: Humminbird Helix 12 with Down Imaging and Structure Scan (at console), Humminbird Helix 12 Down Imaging + Garmin Livescope 1022 (at bow)

Partnerships/Memberships:

I am a member of St.Croix Prostaff, Humminbird, Daiwa, Gamma fishing line, Strike King Lures, Simms, Minn Kota, Yeti, Hydro wave, Mercury Marine, TH-Marine, Berkley, and Z-Man.

Features/Honors:

I have had the awesome privilege and blessing of being on The Outdoor Channel as a co-host of Reel In The Outdoors with Joe Thomas on Lake Chickamauga and also on Strike Kings Hook n’ Look with Kim Stricker on Lake Burton. 

I have also been featured in Georgia Outdoor News Magazine, Georgia Sportsman Magazine, and Simply Fishing Magazine

What our clients say about us

David Nash
David Nash
January 24, 2023.
I’ve fished with Eric on three occasions over the past four years and enjoyed them all. Nice to connect with someone who knows you and knows the area. Eric is great at sharing his knowledge and techniques, as well as some great stories. I always look forward to seeing him again.
Samuel Steinbach
Samuel Steinbach
January 20, 2023.
I had a fantastic guiding with Eric ! I am form Germany and i never fished on Black Bass before. Eric explained me perfect how I should fish on them and we catched many great Bass ! I will never forgot this fishing trip and will definitely come back to fish with Eric agian ! Thank you again so much for this amazing trip Eric !
Michael Homiak
Michael Homiak
December 27, 2022.
I’ve been fishing with Eric for more than 10 years now. He’s a good guide, and doesn’t hesitate to move on if a spot isn’t producing. I’ve taken my kids out with him too, and he’s very helpful with those less experienced, but let’s old timers do their thing. He’s a good guy, good with communication, and is very reliable. And most importantly, he can get you on the fish.
Marcos Flores
Marcos Flores
November 19, 2022.
Eric is a top notch guide!
David A Brown
David A Brown
November 19, 2022.
I recently moved to north Georgia from Ohio. Before my wife and I moved here, we made a few trips to the area. I was fortunate enough to find Eric on the North Georgia Fishing Guide web page. We went out on lake Hawassee. I was pretty new to bass fishing, and Eric was super helpful all day. Eric got us on several schools of fish. It was a great time. Since then, I have gone out with Eric several other times on different area lakes (Nottely, Chatuge, and Hiwassee). Each trip was a great experience, and Eric always got us on fish. I plan on going out with Eric again a couple times in 2023. I highly recommend Eric to anyone looking to go out on any of the area lakes any time of the year. As a lifelong north Georgia native, he knows the lakes and the area.
Rob Simmons
Rob Simmons
November 18, 2022.
I have used Welch's Guide Service for years. We have never had a day where we didn't catch fish. Eric knows the area lakes and he puts us on the right spots year after year. I have learned a lot about fishing from him. Basically, I am a better fisherman because of him.
Charles Walker
Charles Walker
November 18, 2022.
Go fishing with Eric! Knowledgeable, friendly and a lot of fun. We've fished with Eric on Lake Chickamauga and Lake Burton multiple times. The fact that we are repeat customers should tell you all you need to know.
Clay Constant
Clay Constant
November 18, 2022.
I’ve fished with Eric a number of times, and he knows how to find the fish anytime of year. I usually let him pick the lake that is currently yielding the most fish, and we always catch some. Good guide, good guy. I will engage him again!
Remington Tranbarger
Remington Tranbarger
November 18, 2022.
Eric took my wife and I out on the Chick. He was very knowledgeable about the lake. Super great guy! Fishing was tough but we had a great time! Highly recommend
kenneth sellberg
kenneth sellberg
July 11, 2020.
Had an awesome morning of fishing with Eric. Very knowledgable of the lake and fishing techniques. Will definitely fish with Eric again when we return.