Tips

[Captain]

Tips for a guide or a charter all depend on how much you enjoyed your experience, limit of fish or not....If you feel that the captain did all he could to make your trip enjoyable then a 15-20% tip is greatly appreciated. Some extras are included on some charters like free fish cleaning, while others charge a $1 a fish....Well 4 guys throwing $5-10 extra in for the fish cleaning is always appreciated, and I'm sure you'll benefit from this on your next trip. Mates should definitely be tipped 20% as most work for tips only, or very small hourly wages. And as for Dutchman, you let me know when you pass the 9 hour Coast Guard exam to become a Great Lakes Master Certified captain after 8 months of studying..........Then we'll talk about a REAL JOB!

[Dutchman]

Take a pill there cappy!!! All I was saying that you charge what you need to in order to make a profit! If you don't then you need to spend less time studying for your C.G. test and take a business course!!I am not going to get into an argument over what is a "real' job and what isn't! We all have our burden to bear. Mine is spending 10 to 12 hours a day 6 to 7 day's a week in a hot & loud metal stamping shop. But that is my burden not yours. Trust me when I am doing my job in the middle of the summer,with sweat running down my back YOUR "job" Looks real good to me. But I've only got 12 more year's untill I can retire at 50. Than I can be one of those guys who take there boat out and follow the charers to the fish! Have a nice day!!

[Captain]

Hey Dutchy chill out! My charter business is only April thru Sept, the rest of the year I'm a school teacher with two Bachelor Degrees, two minors, a Masters Degress as well as my teaching certificate. Imagine that one of the youngest charter captains on the Great Lakes with many years to go before I retire and I enjoy everyday. So if you don't love your JOBS like I do, maybe you should look into taking some night classes at the community college! Seeya in my prop wash.......

[Steve]

Hey guys, lets not get too personal here now. We are all here to talk about our mutual interest in being on the water and fishing.

[Dutchman]

I agree Steve. All I'm sayin is don't "expect"a tip for your "job"!

[Captain]

Never used the word EXPECT, now I did mention appreciated, and thats how this thread began.....Doesn't matter to me one way or the other, as long as I'm on the water........

[TimT]

I don't guess that anyone on here would post that they don't work for a living...

But anyway, for the prices that captain's charge, I've never considered tipping them. It seems to me that you're already paying for the boat, gas, tools, euipment, time and expertise.

I wouldn't tip my carpenter either. (If he ever shows up, that is.)

Now the first mate, on the other hand..... A customer should be made aware of the fact (before he reserves his day on the water) that the first mate is paid by tip only. (Most people should already know, but you surely don't want to catch an unsuspecting customer off guard.)

Never, ever, ever, suggest that your job is more challenging than anothers. It's just plain and simple "bad form".

See ya,

Tim

[Captain]

Hey Tim good point, on the mate part I hardly ever run with a mate, but when I do and when I was a mate the whole tipping of the mate was understood.......even to the point on one boat I worked for there was a mounted sign that said "Mate Works For Tips!" As for the Captain it is never expected but appreciated, And as for the "job" topic everyone should have their own goals and accomplishments and no one is better than anyone else.....Tight Lines and Good Fishing

[Mike Gwas]

Is anyone paying taxes on their tips ?? Does a Captain provide anything for a mate except a boat ride for tips (salary,benefits,etc.)?
If not it must be harder finding mates than getting tips !!