Guides make a living at fishing they can give you the best report possible. Went on guided trip 2 years ago for winter steelies every report said fishing was bad. We landed 11 fish and all three of us went home with limits. Not to bad in my book. I have a friend that is catching some springers every day that the tides are good for his style of fishing. Ive never seen him fish with anything but herring. Good luck