Why do we tip the mates?

[GDubya07]

When it comes to money it always gets ugly - pools - tournements anything involving - coin

To each his own - there is no right or wrong answer and comes down to personal choice - I choose to do one thing others choose differently - AVA and everyone else thank you all for your views and this discussion

Good luck

GDubs-

[Flukenstein]

Originally Posted by Taxman

I make my living helping people keep their money instead of paying taxes. I firmly believe if you work hard, you should keep your money to do what you want, not give it away for others to spend

You have pages of posts saying how everybody should tip no matter what because the mates need to make a living, all I am saying is pay them from the fare so they dont have to depend on the customer to pay them

T-Man, Your point is perfectly valid and I apologize if my response seemed to be a personal shot at you. It wasn't my intention, but it did seem to have a sarcastic tone. Sorry pal. Also, I stand in agreement with you on being unhappy with a mate who took a $20 tip in advance and then ignored you and your daughter. This is a perfect example of exactly what should not be done. The mate either did understand the reason for the early tip or chose to take the money and run. Neither is acceptable and this guy needs to be straightened out on what good service means. Hope your future trips are better. Tight lines.

[vinntastic]

Well the mates been eating good I usually go like 60/40 depending but I never give a 20 on a pool, I try to look at it like a free day of fishing,and try to get back what i spent, depends times I would split in half,if pool was small sometimes I give more to them then myself, for instance I won a 145 pool yesterday and gave the mates 70 bucks and I usually offer them water, food, Gatorade,whatever I have that I don't think I'm gonna use I offer,I won pools like 1200 and gave mates like a 400, yeah people get funny when it comes down to the mean green, but I am a giving person and it feels good to no I made someone's day... KARMA

[Chico]

Can't see how someone would have a problem tipping properly on a $65. fare?? I see more problems on the multi day trips where the fare is $450. to $575. I saw guys tipping $30. after the mates have spent two full days prepping the bait, boat, etc. and then cleaning a cooler full of fish! Last year I actually saw a guy tip $5. on such a trip!! After a minute or so, the mate approached this guy and asked if his was unhappy with his service. After a short discussion, the guy opened his wallet. I do beleive that some might not know, others are just plain CHEAP!! The mate's tip is just part of the cost of the fishing trip, just like gas to get there, rigs, sinkers, food, etc.

[Bobby Kojak]

I have to agree with the previous posts. Mates are definitely under appreciated and tipped. I only fish on party boats and once in a while charters. I generally tip the mates $ 20.00. But I do tip more if they have a lot of my fish to fillet. As far as the pools go, if I happen to win one, I tip a minimum of 35 %. I will give the mates all of it, if under a $100.00 and 50 % up to $ 200.00. Over that 35 %. I wish everyone would use my guidelines. The mates have taught me more about ocean fishing than I can describe here and they really deserve more than they get.............

[BCinerie]

Just my 2 cents, tip what you think if fair! 2 day trips are tough! The last 2,2day trips I dropped 150. On the first because guys worked there asses off! And second one dropped 100. They did a good job! So I tipped what thought was fair. Someone on that trip asked me what I tipped I told him and he did the same !

Bc

[Tpkc2]

Ok, here's my 2 cents! I frequent many party boats and charter boats every year! Once upon a time I had my own boat! I treat the mates and captain and fellow passengers with upmost respect! And I tip well, especially for a low maintenance passenger! And I realize that mates are in the service business and should be taking care of by the customers! My problem with this tread is with the POOL! I'm almost dumb founded at some of the comments! When did the pool become all about the mates???? I thought the pool, which is a choice by those on the boat, was about bragging rights, competitiveness and ball breakinng and yes financial gains! When did it become about the mates???? I had no clue! I have won my share of pools(lucky) and I personally kick up more than I should, because I want too! A young girls give 2 dollars and that's a problem! The pool should be about the customer!! The customers put in 100%! Tip your mates!

[snapperbluefish101]

Do the mates ever take too much money out of the pool winnings when they shouldn't? What is the percentage of the pool that goes to the boat again?

SNAPPERHEAD

[AJFISH13]

Originally Posted by snapperbluefish101

Do the mates ever take too much money out of the pool winnings when they shouldn't? What is the percentage of the pool that goes to the boat again?

SNAPPERHEAD

None if the customer chooses so. Just saying that blackjack dealer or the waitress serving you drinks didnt help you win the money did they? They didnt offer tips and advice at all. Its different in this scenario we just APPRECIATE something out of it. Just 20 bux would be nice out of it.

[bulletbob]

I guess a lot depends on your income... I make about 20 k a year and work pretty hard for it, and its a good bet some of the better mates make a lot more than that.
After spending $80 in gas just to get to the boat, and then $65-75 to fish, not to mention whatever tackle I need,there simply isn't a lot left over to tip anyone, especially if I didn't use them at all during the trip.. I could just not go and fish fresh water up her in NY state.

I wonder what the captains would say if all the "poor guys" that fish on their boats a few times a year stopped coming aboard.. On any head boat on any given day, I see a lot of folks that don't speak any english, and probably don't make much money.. Should they NOT board the boat because money is extremely tight in their lives?.. Would that really benefit anyone?.. Gerry Z seems to have the best handle on the fact that many people simply can't afford to tip much, if it at all.. Its sad but thats the way it is for a lot of guys.
Should they just stay home or fish from shore?...