Customary Gratuity?

[shizzoizzo7]

Hi, I have my first Charter booked for this weekend and am not sure on the tipping. I am seeing 18-20% if they are good but is that 18-20% to the mate? to the captain? both?

Any advice is appreciated!
Thank you

[Bucktailboys.com]

Usually give 20% to the mate. I don"t tip the captain. If the mate is attentive and helpful I will give more than 20%. With that said I have had mates that were terrible and gave less than 20%.

[shrimpman steve]

Ditto

[NJ Dave]

Think about this. You give a waitress 20% for getting you a drink and bringing out your food. She asked if the food is ok line she really gives a crap.
Your mate readys the boat prior to your arrrival, works ALL day catering to your needs tieing rigs, undoing snags and tangles, baits your hook, ect.
He deserves every bit of 20% +

Tips go to the mate, the fare goes to the captain

Have a great trip.

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

Nothing is customary unless it is earned. If you ever receive less than excellent service, speak to the Captain or owner. WE WANT TO KNOW ! Like Bucktalboys and Steve say +/- 20% is a great guideline, good luck on your charter.

[shizzoizzo7]

Got it

so It is a half day 5hr $500 Charter, 5 people, $100 head = $20 tip each/$100 total. With additional if great service.

Thank you!

[Bigadam119]

The total top of all of the guys on the boat should be 20% of the charter. So $100 total. If the service is exceptional the tip should be more. They have a short season and work could use a little extra for a job well done.

[LotsobitesBB]

I have a hard time only giving 20%. These guys bust their butts before you get there, while you are there and after you leave. They don't get paid when your trip is weathered out.

How many times bucktailing do they get you out of the sticky stuff. What is the cost of a bucktailing and two gulps? (I keep track of their saves and give them a hard time if under performing all trip).

If you bring kids their help allows you to fish more yourself.
Last summer I won both pools on a fluke trip with my kids. Gave over half the money to my 11 year old to give to the mate. Took the regular tip from the rest and gave to my 8 year old to give to the mate. They asked why I was giving them so much money. I said did they untangle your lines 10 times each, clear your line when you somehow got it wrapped under the spool, cut your bait, clean our fish, was the boat clean etc. Then they understood.

Just my thoughts. Is an extra 10% going to break the bank for me? These guys remember next time you are out with them.

[Harpoon]

y'all are missing 1 important thing besides the $. Mates deserve a beer after cutting the fish! Save 1 or 2 for him for after the trip.

[Fin Taz Tic Sportfishing]

The mate is the guy that can make or break your trip . If he works hard for you and makes you happys, keeps the boat clean and fishable,does a good job iceing and fileting your fish you should tip him acordingly. But if he does not take care of you, does not keep the bait fresh ,does not help you when you need help again you tip him acordingly. But if you are not happy make sure you tell the Capt. so he can make corections quickly

[BCinerie]

Tip good for good service. Tip bad for bad service so they know you just did not forget or are a shmuck! Always tell captain about both in private if possible. Money talks bullshit walks. Fish cleaning , great service no service, equipment clean, crappy, carry stuff on off boat ? All figure into tip Capt. Effort also. If the Capt don't care hard to tip even if mate is great! $ 600 charter ok tip 100 great tip 200 piss poor tip 50 bucks! Example went on a 50 hr tuna open boat trip, First year mate or mates got 100 bucks second year same trip 240 tip. They had great service second year , just missed it 1st year. FYI. Caught 20 tuna sword and tilefish year 1 caught only 6 tuna year 2!

[shrimpman steve]

The fishing itself should not factor in. Should not take it out on the mate if the fish have lockjaw.

[TroutSlayer]

^^^ agree100%

[rumster]

The fishing itself should not factor in. Should not take it out on the mate if the fish have lockjaw.
Your Absolutely Right Steve! Because the fish have lock jaw on a particular day, is that the fault of the mate? Sometimes no matter what, it happens. There are times when you bust your ass even more when they don`t chew trying everything under the sun. Just another FYI, I am a firm believer in the amount of the tip being based upon the level of service provided using 20% of the trip as a mid line. Reward good service and penalize bad.

[DEEP POCKETS]

I always tip 20% or less if not deserved. A good mate will make the trip for you!!!

[Reel Class]

The fishing itself should not factor in. Should not take it out on the mate if the fish have lockjaw.

Thank you Steve. More people should live by this when fishing on a private charter or headboat.

FWIW, I tell my customers who ask customary is 15-20%.

[MVP]

If you go on charter where captain pulls double duty as captain and mate
Do you still tip 15-20%

[Bucktailboys.com]

If you go on charter where captain pulls double duty as captain and mate
Do you still tip 15-20%

This should get some good responses.

What I can say is the only time it happens is when I go grouper in Florida. I did not tip as I was the only one filleting with the captain for an hour and a half.

[jlrotary]

If you go on charter where captain pulls double duty as captain and mate
Do you still tip 15-20%

Yes, you should.

[Joey Dah Fish]

^^^^^ totally agree

[Taxman]

The fishing itself should not factor in. Should not take it out on the mate if the fish have lockjaw.

I disagree, the fishing is a factor. If the mate has to clean 100 fish I tip more than if they have to clean 10

[bunker dunker]

I tip 20 plus and I do it on the way out.

[Capt. Debbie]

This stuff has been on this site for years of controversy.

Many say the mate should get 20% no matter what. If he filets fish. If you dont catch a single fish too. Some are lazy. Some break their a*s.

Usually small charter boats its more personal. While I've been on party boats and the guy was useless. Walked around BS'ing with his "regulars" while everyone was getting their own bait.

20% is a ball park tip with a lots of wiggle room from 0% to over 20%.




The total top of all of the guys on the boat should be 20% of the charter. So $100 total. If the service is exceptional the tip should be more. They have a short season and work could use a little extra for a job well done.

[rumster]

I disagree, the fishing is a factor. If the mate has to clean 100 fish I tip more than if they have to clean 10

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so I want to make it clear that I am not looking for an argument. Just adding a little perspective to the thread. Let`s look at 2 fares. First one is for a party boat, which is at about $65.00 for the fare. If a guy is there when you need him supplying bait and untangling messes all day is $10.00 to $13.00 to much to ask for? Let me tell you on the party boats it`s a different kind of animal your dealing with so many people that don't have a clue its not funny. Not to mention guys who walk off the boat and all they give is a smile when you did everything for them, except burp them.
Second: Let`s look at a charter boat. Most of these boats charge any where from $100.00 to $130.00 which would mean a $20.00 to $26.00 gratuity. For the most part they provide a much more personalized experience, which includes everything a party boat mate does in addition to practically taking every fish off your hook, tying rigs, bleeding fish and so on.
So as much as nothing is written in stone is 15% to 20% to much to give?
Think about it, is it the waitresses fault if the meal is not what you expected meanwhile she was there at every twist and turn? No, it was the cooks!
Do you then tip her $10.00 on a $100.00 pre tax bill even though she did all that she could possibly do to make you happy??? If anyone does that it`s just an excuse to be cheap and if that`s the case stay home.
Do what`s right for people that provide good service in an industry that has ever increasing regulations and very short seasons. Everyone has to eat and smiles and handshakes don`t cut it.