Tipping Etiquette
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Harpmanr
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Tipping Etiquette
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.
"Life is a gift from God. Fish it as much as possible." "The happier you are, the happier you become."
- snakehead terror
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
I usually give 10, maybe more depending on service or how much I have on me.
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snapperkiller
snapperkiller
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
$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.
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.
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crashmister
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
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.
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- GO4EM
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
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.
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- bolo
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
I give $10.00-$20.00 plus a gift certificate to Panada Express.
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fixed80
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
I give 10$ on a 1/2 or full day. 60$ when im on an overnight trip.
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.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 $40.00. They make the bulk of their money off of tips.
- fishnfool73
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
fixed80 wrote:I give 10$ on a 1/2 or full day. 60$ when im on an overnight trip.
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.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 $40.00. They make the bulk of their money off of tips.
Not really a valid argument, given several factors. One most of them love their jobs so they take the good with the bad . Two not meant disrespectful but not like there is a ton of other career options out there at the time for them. I mean I would like to make more money but not like anyone is going to hire me as a brain surgeon or lawyer. I have paid the bills off of tips so I tip well when the service dictates it. Taking care of mates over the years has been returned to me 10 fold by them so to me its worth it in the end. I 'll bring an extra Red Bull or Gatorade with me if the mate seems friendly , I strike up a conversation and offer them the extra. Whether they take it or not they return the favor in special baits hidden in the cooler or a reserved spot on the stern next time I show up . I had one that provided me with more Tugas and sharks baits than I could ever use just based on a Cuban sandwich I offered for breakfast.
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.
- permitchaser
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
You eat cuban sandwich ?fishnfool73 wrote:fixed80 wrote:I give 10$ on a 1/2 or full day. 60$ when im on an overnight trip.
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.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 $40.00. They make the bulk of their money off of tips.
Not really a valid argument, given several factors. One most of them love their jobs so they take the good with the bad . Two not meant disrespectful but not like there is a ton of other career options out there at the time for them. I mean I would like to make more money but not like anyone is going to hire me as a brain surgeon or lawyer. I have paid the bills off of tips so I tip well when the service dictates it. Taking care of mates over the years has been returned to me 10 fold by them so to me its worth it in the end. I 'll bring an extra Red Bull or Gatorade with me if the mate seems friendly , I strike up a conversation and offer them the extra. Whether they take it or not they return the favor in special baits hidden in the cooler or a reserved spot on the stern next time I show up . I had one that provided me with more Tugas and sharks baits than I could ever use just based on a Cuban sandwich I offered for breakfst.
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malibuminix
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
A few years ago I was fishing with my brother on one of those boats at Haulover.As soon as we stepped on the boat I gave the guy 5$ 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 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.
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BateMaster
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
I give $10 on the daily trips.
- fishnfool73
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
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 $5 if the mates work hard for you then don't take a boat out.malibuminix wrote:A few years ago I was fishing with my brother on one of those boats at Haulover.As soon as we stepped on the boat I gave the guy 5$ 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.
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.
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Harpmanr
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
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 $5.55.fixed80 wrote:I give 10$ on a 1/2 or full day. 60$ when im on an overnight trip.
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.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.
"Life is a gift from God. Fish it as much as possible." "The happier you are, the happier you become."
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TAILTEASIN
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
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!
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Harpmanr
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
My brother (Bruce) is a mate on the Lady KTAILTEASIN 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!
"Life is a gift from God. Fish it as much as possible." "The happier you are, the happier you become."
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TAILTEASIN
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
My buddys name is Vinny pretty new to the boat.
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- bolo
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
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.
The Judge asked the prostitute, "At what point did you realize you were raped?"
The prostitute replied (wiping away tears), "When the check bounced."
The prostitute replied (wiping away tears), "When the check bounced."
- Sirsnookalot
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
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.
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.
- SnapperHunter26
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
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.

- fishnfool73
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
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.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.
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.
- cantseeme47
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
my tip is i bring the bk breakfest and coffee.. they seem to love it lol
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crashmister
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Re: Tipping Etiquette
Dude! You know this thread is almost a year old right?
Nice Boat! Now get it outa my driveway!
