Boatless Fishing Forum, Reports, Info

I note a disturbing trend when I fish on drift boats, people only tipping $1.00. Most of the head boats only pay the mates $30.00 a trip and the captain $40.00. They make the bulk of their money off of tips. If you figure that they do 3 trips a day (A 14 hour day when you figure in prep cleaning fish and boat clean up), every other day that's less than $6.50 an hour. I don't know what the rest of you tip, but I always give a minimum of $10.00 up to $20.00 depending on how they handled the trip. So spread the word no matter what boat you fish to give these guys a more deserving tip.

I usually give 10, maybe more depending on service or how much I have on me.

$10 plus half the fish pool if I win it and I bring breakfast and an energy drink for them if it is a boat I am a regular on.

I have noticed the same thing on dive boats. I have found most restaurants add a 15% gratuity to the bill. On the other hand at the casino the dealers who are making tip dependant minimum wage 4.65 hr I think. Are making more than most of the management because of the tip or toke rate.

fishnfool73 wrote:$10 plus half the fish pool if I win it and I bring breakfast and an energy drink for them if it is a boat I am a regular on.

I give $10.00-$20.00 plus a gift certificate to Panada Express.

I give 10$ on a 1/2 or full day. 60$ when im on an overnight trip.

Harpmanr wrote:I note a disturbing trend when I fish on drift boats, people only tipping $1.00. Most of the head boats only pay the mates $30.00 a trip and the captain $40.00. They make the bulk of their money off of tips.

think about this Harpmanr. even though we've seen people give small tips if any at all. the mates and captains must still be given enough considering that they been working on headboats several(4 or more)years. well, at least ive seen the same people year after year. but i guess every once in a while, someone quits.

fixed80 wrote:I give 10$ on a 1/2 or full day. 60$ when im on an overnight trip.

Harpmanr wrote:I note a disturbing trend when I fish on drift boats, people only tipping $1.00. Most of the head boats only pay the mates $30.00 a trip and the captain $40.00. They make the bulk of their money off of tips.

think about this Harpmanr. even though we've seen people give small tips if any at all. the mates and captains must still be given enough considering that they been working on headboats several(4 or more)years. well, at least ive seen the same people year after year. but i guess every once in a while, someone quits.

Not really a valid argument, given several factors. One most of them love their jobs so they take the good with the bad . Two not meant disrespectful but not like there is a ton of other career options out there at the time for them. I mean I would like to make more money but not like anyone is going to hire me as a brain surgeon or lawyer. I have paid the bills off of tips so I tip well when the service dictates it. Taking care of mates over the years has been returned to me 10 fold by them so to me its worth it in the end. I 'll bring an extra Red Bull or Gatorade with me if the mate seems friendly , I strike up a conversation and offer them the extra. Whether they take it or not they return the favor in special baits hidden in the cooler or a reserved spot on the stern next time I show up . I had one that provided me with more Tugas and sharks baits than I could ever use just based on a Cuban sandwich I offered for breakfast.

fishnfool73 wrote:

fixed80 wrote:I give 10$ on a 1/2 or full day. 60$ when im on an overnight trip.

Harpmanr wrote:I note a disturbing trend when I fish on drift boats, people only tipping $1.00. Most of the head boats only pay the mates $30.00 a trip and the captain $40.00. They make the bulk of their money off of tips.

think about this Harpmanr. even though we've seen people give small tips if any at all. the mates and captains must still be given enough considering that they been working on headboats several(4 or more)years. well, at least ive seen the same people year after year. but i guess every once in a while, someone quits.

Not really a valid argument, given several factors. One most of them love their jobs so they take the good with the bad . Two not meant disrespectful but not like there is a ton of other career options out there at the time for them. I mean I would like to make more money but not like anyone is going to hire me as a brain surgeon or lawyer. I have paid the bills off of tips so I tip well when the service dictates it. Taking care of mates over the years has been returned to me 10 fold by them so to me its worth it in the end. I 'll bring an extra Red Bull or Gatorade with me if the mate seems friendly , I strike up a conversation and offer them the extra. Whether they take it or not they return the favor in special baits hidden in the cooler or a reserved spot on the stern next time I show up . I had one that provided me with more Tugas and sharks baits than I could ever use just based on a Cuban sandwich I offered for breakfst.

You eat cuban sandwich ? i agree with you that shure helps a lot.

A few years ago I was fishing with my brother on one of those boats at Haulover.As soon as we stepped on the boat I gave the guy 5$ and I taught that he will help us with bait and handle any fish we catch.He never gave us any help and when we were leaving the boat he was still holding his hand like we have to give him some more money.
I will tip some one if I receive a good service.But when people expect you to tip them just because they working on the boat?I know 1$ is not much now days but is still better than nothing.

I give $10 on the daily trips.

malibuminix wrote:A few years ago I was fishing with my brother on one of those boats at Haulover.As soon as we stepped on the boat I gave the guy 5$ and I taught that he will help us with bait and handle any fish we catch.He never gave us any help and when we were leaving the boat he was still holding his hand like we have to give him some more money.
I will tip some one if I receive a good service.But when people expect you to tip them just because they working on the boat?I know 1$ is not much now days but is still better than nothing.

Have you ever worked for tips ? If they do a crappy job don't tip them at all. In regards to $1 being better than nothing that is laughable. I prefer no tip as opposed to a $1 . If you can't afford to at least throw a $5 if the mates work hard for you then don't take a boat out.

fixed80 wrote:I give 10$ on a 1/2 or full day. 60$ when im on an overnight trip.

Harpmanr wrote:I note a disturbing trend when I fish on drift boats, people only tipping $1.00. Most of the head boats only pay the mates $30.00 a trip and the captain $40.00. They make the bulk of their money off of tips.

think about this Harpmanr. even though we've seen people give small tips if any at all. the mates and captains must still be given enough considering that they been working on headboats several(4 or more)years. well, at least ive seen the same people year after year. but i guess every once in a while, someone quits.

Well, they've just dropped their pay from $35 to $30 a trip on a boat that I am a regular on. Not to mention that most of them have no insurance or other perks. Some of them have fished all their lives and this is all they know. They work really hard for their money on this boat and deserve to be tipped accordingly. $1.00 doesn't cut it. I agree with at least the 15% of the trip fee which on this boat would equal $5.55.

My good friend is a mate on the Lady K and he tells me that most people dont tip to good even when the fishing is hot! The regulars and people that have any sense see how hard these guy work and do give good tips. Anyone who doesnt think that they deserve a good tip should try to handline bonito and gaff kings and untangle lines on a saturday one time and I think they will have a different opinion!

TAILTEASIN wrote:My good friend is a mate on the Lady K and he tells me that most people dont tip to good even when the fishing is hot! The regulars and people that have any sense see how hard these guy work and do give good tips. Anyone who doesnt think that they deserve a good tip should try to handline bonito and gaff kings and untangle lines on a saturday one time and I think they will have a different opinion!

My brother (Bruce) is a mate on the Lady K

My buddys name is Vinny pretty new to the boat.

fishnfool73 wrote:I 'll bring an extra Red Bull or Gatorade with me if the mate seems friendly , I strike up a conversation and offer them the extra. Whether they take it or not they return the favor in special baits hidden in the cooler or a reserved spot on the stern next time I show up . I had one that provided me with more Tugas and sharks baits than I could ever use just based on a Cuban sandwich I offered for breakfast.

2 cases of Monster Drink and puts the mate in the hospital.

I have gone out on a certain boat quite a few times and some of the mates are downright rude and arrogant, they deserve nothing in my opinion and giving them a dollar is telling them that. Many people that go on party boats are vacationers or people that need help and in my opinion the mates need to be a bit more polite.
As a rule for good service I give 15-20% plus my fish, which I don't keep. These fish are sold by the crew, is that not a tip?
One of my pet peeves is the captain fishing off the back of the boat.

I look at it like this....The mates make my trip as best as they can, make sure I have bait, are there to take my fish off and clean them (not that I can't dehook or clean my own fish, but I figure I may as well get the whole shibang). I tip nicely. Basically...the harder they work for me, the more tip they get. I've left the crew $40 for a 6 hour trip on Catch My Drift, they earned it. If you don't work, you get $5 if your lucky, if you work, there is no telling how much, I am not afraid to pay someone for making my trip worth it.

Fishmonger wrote:I have gone out on a certain boat quite a few times and some of the mates are downright rude and arrogant, they deserve nothing in my opinion and giving them a dollar is telling them that. Many people that go on party boats are vacationers or people that need help and in my opinion the mates need to be a bit more polite.
As a rule for good service I give 15-20% plus my fish, which I don't keep. These fish are sold by the crew, is that not a tip?
One of my pet peeves is the captain fishing off the back of the boat.

I will agree with the $1 tip in this case, it lets them know they sucked. Tipping a $1 and saying it is better than nothing though I don't agree with.

my tip is i bring the bk breakfest and coffee.. they seem to love it lol

Dude! You know this thread is almost a year old right?

Hes a throwback type of guy I guess...