[bulletbob]

I am of two different minds on this.. First off, I never allow the mates to clean fish.. I just prefer the way I do it.. The mates leave a lot of bones, only because they have to work REAL fast.. Second, I am adept at untangling lines, like any good fisherman, and its usually done before the mate is even close by..

If i snag, i can free it myself most of the time, if not its usually broken off before the mate gets there.

I suppose my feeling is this.. If I use the services of the mates, they should be tipped.. In other words, blues, fluke, stripers, weaks etc where they have to net or gaff fish, or really help out, sure they deserve some consideration.. however what about a ling or sea bass trip where you have no contact with any mate the entire day, other than giving them the fare, or when they put the first cup of clam snot near your rod?... Last 4 trips on head boats were all bottom trips, and to be honest, I personally didn't see much of the mates. I hate to say it, they were fishing most of time... I know they would have been there if I called, no question, but many head boat patrons are very self sufficient.. If they have NO contact with a mate on any given day, are they obligated to tip anyway? I know the mates cut the bait on the way out, and put it into containers, but is that really worth 20% of a $70 fare?? Just playing devils advocate here..
If I win a pool, I give a decent tip, and if I used their services I would as well, however, many times, I just don't see them around me on any given trip, and thats the truth..Last trip out, I had to shuck and cut my own clams up out of the bag, as did many of the other fares if they wanted fresh bait.. Sorry, I just don't always feel the need to tip, as the service doesn't always warrant it... Honestly what is it worth if the only contact you have with a mate during an entire day, is when he bends over near your rig, and places a container of clam snot on the deck???.. Is that really worth a 20 dollar bill?.. To me, it would be if the guy gaffed a dozen fish, untangled me a few times, tied a rig up for me, cleaned my fish etc, but I have only rarely gotten that level of service -and thats going back 40 years,, Truth be told, a lot of the mates[NOT all] seem much more interested in fishing alongside the fares than in providing memorable service to the fares.... bob