How much should you tip on a deep sea fishing charter?

Answer 1

If the fishing is slow, (so there are few fish to clean) it doesn't make sense to short the crew -- after all, it's not their fault if the fish didn't bite. And fish cleaning is only one of the things the crew does, so don't base your tip on that alone.

If the crew worked hard and did their best, tip about fifteen percent of what you paid to get on the boat. If you have a banner catch and they want more for cleaning it, pay them. After all, ten or twenty bucks really doesn't come to much when all is said and done, and you're going home with a good load of fresh, good-eating fish. Big fish may run from $2 to $10 apiece to clean, depending on the size and the boat.

If you're going to be a repeat customer, being known as a good tipper will definitely affect the service you get, and future trips will be more enjoyable. (Remember, many passengers don't tip at all, don't have their fish cleaned on the boat, etc.)

On the other hand, if the service sucks, stiff them and let them (especially the skipper) know why.

ADDITION:

Steve, you must run charters in a fish hatchery. In real parts of the world, there are days when the bite shuts down for everyone. It's not the deckhand's fault, or the skipper's fault, and it's not a collusion between all the skippers out chasing tuna or yellowtail or bass or whatever that day -- the fish just aren't biting. I've seen it in the ocean and in lakes, and I'm sure anyone who's done any amount of fishing has seen it a number of times. If you don't want to charge for when that happens, fine with me. But don't recommend that people stiff other crews when the fish don't bite, even if the boat stays out several hours late and burns more fuel and so on. If the crew does their best, they deserve a tip.

Answer 2

Deep Sea Fishing Tips

Answer 3

Tipping Fishing Guides

Answer 4

I have fished MANY charters in Florida and Mexico. The "accepted" tip rate is around 10% of the charter. Of course that depends on how the trip went, how hard the mate had to work, or actually how much you don't have to work. So I would start at 10% if the quality of the trip was good I go a little higher, if not a little lower. It all depends on how hard they work to find fish. And make your day enjoyable.

Answer 5

Colby is right. On a party boat I'll give the deck hand at least $10. They split the take so you only tip one fellow. On a charter, 15-20%. It DOES NOT matter how many fish you caught. These guys work hard and try their best. They want you to catch fish. If you have a lazy or bad hand, use discretion in tipping.

Answer 6

Peter, Steve, Colby, JustFish: Just wanted to say, great answer's!

Ingun: Nice answer!

Personally, I'm up in the air! I know some FLA freshwater/inshore salt charter's that feel/do the same type of ,"No fish,No pay!", that Steve is talking about. But, that is usually only 1-2 guy's on a boat smaller than 20 FT.

In offshore Saltwater, I feel like Peter/Ingun has the correct answer. If I charter a "private", I'm def gonna tip even if we catch nadda because it is "appropriate".
On "Party-Boat" charter's it's good to tip "through-out the day", ($2-3 everytime they "run" for ya), to the deckhand who is personally "runn'in bait" & Gaffing for ya, (this also makes a Hand "respect & pay attention" to your request's). If you have a good day it's only fair to tip out the Capt. and the Hands. 10-15% sounds about right for a slow-@ss crew who is "Bee-hunt'in" all day, (and after that trip I wouldn't use their charter ever again!)

20-30% for an outstanding crew. A little more for the "fillet-station" Deck-hand.

Money talks and BS walks. Think about how much it would cost you to BUY those huge Grouper, Snapper, Etc, fillet's!

Answer 7

Being a fishing guide myself in the Pacific Northwest BC, I'll answer like this. First of all my company policy states, if you don't catch fish then the trip is on me. For any of you that says the fishing was slow and it's not the deckhands fault, so give him a tip anyway. You need to switch charter companies. Any hard lined fishing charter will put you on the fish without wasting your time cruising around all day. I have even heard some companies use the scenery button on clients that were disappointed by their catch. Depending on the species, my boat gets a variable daily rate. Tipping is appreciated when folks have their bag limits and everyone is happy. Charter companies that look to expect tips for no fish or slow days in catching should review their policies. I charter at least 3 times a week during season.

Answer 8

I run a fishing charter, a good tip is %20 or more for good service.

Answer 9

Tipping is not mandatory but is almost expected. Just like any other "service" that you are provided, you might want to consider acknowledging the crew/ captains efforts by leaving a tip. I don't know about party boats, but the avg. for inshore is 5-20% of the cost of the charter.

Answer 10

party boats give personal tip directly to your hand that helps you then toss in a few bucks to the tip can!Many party boats tips go like this from tip can or hat- capt then first mate then hands tip your man first!
private charter if you hand the tip to the capt he takes a share sometimes so make sure to directly tip the hand!
I dont listen to the standards of tipping and think they are to low.
My scale!!
great trip great service- hand(party boat)$20+$5 to tip can! hand(private charter)$40+! private charter only- capt $20(he gets paid more from charter fee)
good trip good service- hand(p/b)$15+ $5 to tip can! hand (p/c)$30+, capt$15!
bad trip but hands works to make it good!$15+ $5 to tip can,capt$15
bad trip all round $5 to hand $1 per total hands to can but none to capt!
I want to see a deck hand make a good living for doing a good job and all the hard work so tip them,please!

I worked on both and did the best job I could do to make a fun and safe trip for all and I hated the hard work and no tip at the end of the day!