Tip the mates because its the proper thing to do...
I dont get why some folks dont get it!! A waitress takes yur order , brings you food . Maybe checks on you once. Maybe a lousy service or food but still gets a min tip. A mate good or bad fishing serves you all day, does whatever he can . Gets you out of some sticky messes and back in the water ASAP and sometimes don't get a tip...
read a few posts in this threads , dont want to get into the sticky- ness but want to add my 2 cents.
Well said Aj n Ol Pedro ( good points from other folks too ) . Im not a mate on any head boats but always did , always will on any private boat I been on.. One primary thing I like to do is see folks catch fish , always help them rig up and teach technique.... love to see them take home a bag of fillets of fresh fish too .. I also agree guys who dont sail on head boats , never gona get it nor read this type of forum . So they have a bad trip and take it out on the mates and is their own foolishness. I have to confess I was cheap and didn't get it either .. One reason,bc I always fished caught / cleaned my own fish for over 20 years having my own boat . Never understood being served . I guess Besides ignorance it was mostly , pride than I finally opened my eyes when I realized these guys want to help and are doing it for a living.
However some folks , even novices will realize Gratatuity is gratitude period !!! so they tip something . Bottom line is some folks dont get it and never will . The mates work on tips want to catch fish and want to serve you. They love what they do and love to see fish being caught.
Than you have the regulars who have been around no matter what they understand and tip appropriately . Ill say one thing I am not well off ,could just about afford a trip . But I still tip what I can ...they understand and appreciate whatever is offered and help you out no matter what . However when I win a pool I'll give min 30-40% . Hec I have even given it all on days that its a small pool .
One thing ill say its sad when someone wins a healthy pool $200-300 -$400. Perhaps 4 mates on the boat and they may give $ 30-40 bucks total now thats cheap!!!
.. I will say depending on the boat you go on and the day you have may make or break your experience . If ya only went once and had a bad day well that may be first impression. Our mates understand and put up with this stuff all the time... Good ones are seasoned work hard ., show up at the boat 5-5:30am everyday. Rain, sun , wind, snow.... weather they sail or not. Always helping customers aboard with gear,... cut bait and what have ya... some may work two looooong trips all day baking in the hot sun... , dont finish up cleaning the boat till 8-9 pm. Go Home , sleep only to do it all over again a few hours later.
Lastly must say all my years on head boats maybe I met but one or two bad apple mates from over 10-15 / boats in 1000 trips. Maybe One or two young, lazy ones but they learn real quick or dont last long. Of course the boats I have always sailed on have the best mates tho … guess thats why I sail on them... .
my 2 cents. So Tip your mates what ya can and don't be cheap
