Originally Posted by bulletbob

Fair enough... So its your opinion then that if someone has his last $65 or maybe $70 in his pocket, and thats the boat fare, then he has no business boarding the boat? I have been there, many times, and personally, I went fishing.. I try and have more of a cushion than that these days, but again, I am a very low income guy, and some days every cent except my fare has been spent, and I get home on my credit card.
I wonder what would happen if I stared at the boat, started to board, and then turned back because I was unable to tip the mates as all I had was fare money.. When the captain asked why i wasn't staying aboard, and they DO sometimes, lets say I told him I felt embarrassed because all I had was fare money, and simply couldn't tip the mates that day, so I should leave.. Do you REALLY think the captain would rather see a paying customer leave? .. I am glad you are a generous guy that can afford the fare, and a generous tip for the mates.. It's good that some people can pay the freight and more.. However, some can't, its that simple... I really doubt the captains of the head boats would agree with your opinion.. If they did, and kept poor or close to poor fisherman off their boat because they couldn't tip the mates, their business would be cut in half.. I understand your views I really do.. However, not everyone can afford to throw a $20 to the mates... That might be all they have for the rest of the week... For some people, a trip on a party boat is a rare luxury, and even the fare is a hardship..
Again,I really respect your generosity, your kindness, and your thoughtfulness. However what you consider an appropriate tip, for some people is a half days hard work after taxes.. Just something to keep in mind.. Poor people like to fish too... bob

Originally Posted by reason162

You took quite a turn there bob. First it's how you're the most low-maintenance fisherman on board, you cut your own bait/fillet your own fish yada yada (and yes, you should still tip because you insist on doing these things yourself, no one stiffed you on service). Now you're claiming abject poverty, you're literally crossing 300 miles of interstate to fish on your last dime. Talk about playing the world's smallest violin ffs!

I'll answer your question bob: if you ONLY have the fare covered, don't go. As others have pointed out, you don't go out to eat if you only have the tab covered and nothing left over for tip, or do you??? What a nightmare customer you are.

And for the rest of the incredulous posters: yes, times have changed. Service wages are well below minimum wage, and mates/waiters/servers rely on gratuities for the majority of their income. Sure, you're free to not tip your mates, but we're free to point out what incredible cheapskating behavior that is on an internet fishing board.

Originally Posted by bulletbob

Please look up the word *Hypothetical*..

I was not talking about anything I personally had ever done or intend to do.. Merely making a point... However when if and when it comes down to it, I now understand that many other anglers, including many from this forum do not want to fish around another fisherman that can only cover his fare.. This may include seniors, those on disability etc.. Let your favorite boat captains know your feelings on the subject, see what THEY think... There area MANY people that live on a shoestring, and the boat fare itself is a hardship... I am sure the captains would love to hear from their regulars that such despicable individuals are persona non grata..

Do you tip at Mcdonalds?? LOW pay, and those people work thier asses off, long before and long after you have had your meal.. If not, why not?.. They are low wage service workers after all.
Thats what i am too, a low wage service worker... The woods are full of them... Glad I understand now... Fisherman that are really pinched financially and can barely swing the fare on occasion are NOT welcome aboard head boats.. Thanks for clearing that up for me...bob

Originally Posted by bulletbob

Do you tip at Mcdonalds?? LOW pay, and those people work thier asses off, long before and long after you have had your meal.. If not, why not?.. They are low wage service workers after all.
Thats what i am too, a low wage service worker... The woods are full of them... Glad I understand now... Fisherman that are really pinched financially and can barely swing the fare on occasion are NOT welcome aboard head boats.. Thanks for clearing that up for me...bob

Originally Posted by Flukenstein

If you are a low wage service worker you should be the first one to understand why a reasonable tip is expected, earned, and important. Please stop worrying what the Capt. might think, at least on this thread. This is about tipping the mates.

Originally Posted by reason162

Bad analogy upon bad analogy. You don't tip at McD, therefore McD is required to pay minimum wage. They're not considered "tipped employees." http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm#foot1

In NJ/NY, employers are only responsible for $2.15/hr for tipped employees, which most definitely include mates on a party boat.

So by all means Bob, keep stiffing the mates, rationalize/justify your cheapskating behavior, tell yourself that the captain welcomes you aboard and that everything is a-okay. And as another poster pointed out, the mates will hate you, but that's okay too: 99% of them are professional enough to never show it. So keep living in your bubble and thinking that it's okay to stiff them.