Tipping a fishing guide

[sotx]

Why should I tip the fishing guide. I am specifically talking about the guides down at the coast that fish the bays. Every guide I have ever fished with is an owner operator. I have been charged any where here recently from $550.00 to $700.00. They always expect a tip if the trip was productive. I always tip them simply because it is customary. Why don't these guys just charge their price and for go the tip. In my business I provide a service and never do I expect or accept tips. Why do fishing guides expect tips and why should I pay a tip?

Now let me say this. When I go on hunts out west for elk and mule deer and I employ a guide service I never tip the owner of the business but I will tip the employee if he works his back side off for me.

So to me the fishing guide is the owner of his business. So why does he expect a tip?

What are ya'lls thoughts?

[Knight in Mossy Oak]

I tend to agree with your thought process. Wouldn't it be nice if the fishing trip was "unproductive", the guide would give you some of the money back...or tip you for him not being able to put you on fish...???

The only reason I would tip a fishing guide is if we had an outstanding day...and he went above and beyond what is normal to make your trip the best you've ever had...then I would probably tip him.

I don't think it's right for them to "expect" a tip...

Just my 2 cents...

[bowhuntertex]

We have alwasys tipped extra money to the fishing guides we have used in the past. I will usually tip them about $50 per person or $150 for the whole boat. Depends on how many people went out......

[sotx]

Here is the other thing that gripes me. Some of these guides want to get you off the water as fast as possible. Get a limit and go in. The last few trips I have sent my sales reps on with customers they have gotten their limit of trout by 10am and back in and on the road by 11am. You would think that for $700.00 they would maybe try and take you to get a couple of reds or a flounder or two.

[CaptainDave]

Think about it this way. Although the guide may be the owner/operator, he's also the one out there busting his arse trying to put you on some fish, and rigging your equipment. Also, don't forget, most guides filet all of your fish for you at the dock. Did you know that, not any different than hunting guides, fishing guides also have to go out and scout to obtain more knowledge of the species they are after, and figure out where the fish will be tomorrow or next week? How about all the equipment he has. Saltwater is one of the worst things for a boat, and fishing reels. All must be properly cleaned and maintained after each trip.

Also, did you know that many bay fishing guides are more than willing to provide you with information regarding fishing spots, types of baits, techniques, tidal information, time of day for best productivity, etc. Some of my most productive fishing areas that I know of in Galveston bay where passed down to me while fishing with a guide.

So in other words, there have been times I have felt more compelled to tip a fishing guide than a hunting guide...

[bltiger]

Here is the other thing that gripes me. Some of these guides want to get you off the water as fast as possible. Get a limit and go in. The last few trips I have sent my sales reps on with customers they have gotten their limit of trout by 10am and back in and on the road by 11am. You would think that for $700.00 they would maybe try and take you to get a couple of reds or a flounder or two.

I completely agree with what you are saying above and at the start of the thread! In what other industry are people tipped sometime 30% on top of their base price. I feel that everything should be included in the price if it's an owner operated setup like you discussed and I have no problem tipping bird boys and other helpers but it seems that paying $700 for a trip for four people to be out on the water a half day is plenty of month for someone!

Only one time have I been with a guide that stayed out past noon to try and find some redfish after we limited out on trout! It's funny, you pay a full days price and usually only get half a day of fishing regardless if the fishing is hot or slow!

[Ouch]

I completely agree. I have never understood it. I will tip deckhands nd such, but why would a one or two-man crew expect a tip for doing their job? It's always bugged me

In my mind, it's no different than seeing a tip jar on the counter at a coffee shop. I stood in line to get the coffee, I paid for the coffee. Doesn't the shop pay the employees? Doesn't seem to me I should be responsible for payin' 'em when they're not in my employ.

[sotx]

We have alwasys tipped extra money to the fishing guides we have used in the past. I will usually tip them about $50 per person or $150 for the whole boat. Depends on how many people went out......

Well I am the same way. But why?

[bltiger]

Think about it this way. Although the guide may be the owner/operator, he's also the one out there busting his arse trying to put you on some fish, and rigging your equipment. Also, don't forget, most guides filet all of your fish for you at the dock. Did you know that, not any different than hunting guides, fishing guides also have to go out and scout to obtain more knowledge of the species they are after, and figure out where the fish will be tomorrow or next week? How about all the equipment he has. Saltwater is one of the worst things for a boat, and fishing reels. All must be properly cleaned and maintained after each trip.

Also, did you know that many bay fishing guides are more than willing to provide you with information regarding fishing spots, types of baits, techniques, tidal information, time of day for best productivity, etc. Some of my most productive fishing areas that I know of in Galveston bay where passed down to me while fishing with a guide.

I have fished with quite a few guides and most do not provide that level of service unfortunately!

And the damage to rods, finding the fish that week, fileting fish, etc. is part of operating a business and should be built into your cost of doing business hence that should be reflected in your base price!

[Fightinaggies]

I think if you have a good day on the water, which doesnt nessesarily mean limiting out, then tipping a fishing guide is no different then tipping a hunting guide. To me it is all about how much effort the guide puts into a trip. If you are limited out by 10 in my opinion the guide should fish you as long as you stil want to be on the water.

[bigun]

I've been curious of this practice. I'm a La fishing guide on the weekends and days I can get off normal job. I truthfully never expect a tip being owner/operator and not disappointed when I don't get one. I can tell you I do figure I will get one due to it being customary as you said. Most trips I do get a tip and I gladly take them. I can tell you most tips never go over $50 a day though and it is not because of unproductivity.

I think tipping became customary because early on most charter captains ran boats for a business and their pay was part of the tip.

[CaptainDave]

I have fished with quite a few guides and most do not provide that level of service unfortunately!

And the damage to rods, finding the fish that week, fileting fish, etc. is part of operating a business and should be built into your cost of doing business hence that should be reflected in your base price!

Well, then perhaps you just have not fished with any good quality guides. They are like anything else. Get refereces, opinions, etc. Don't get me wrong, I have been burned on a couple bad trips myself. To me, getting on fish is just one of a few attributes of a good fishing guide.

However, I guess I could just use your logic against hunting guides as well. Let's see, feeders, timers, and blind maintenance are all part of the business, as well as payroll expenses. I was provided with a base price for the hunt and lodging, so shoudn't all of those other expenses be reflected in the price. If the guide doesn't own the operation, why isn't his tip calculated into the price of a hunt?

[sotx]

I have fished with quite a few guides and most do not provide that level of service unfortunately!

And the damage to rods, finding the fish that week, fileting fish, etc. is part of operating a business and should be built into your cost of doing business hence that should be reflected in your base price!

You nailed it. In my business I use and abuse machinery costing half a million dollars and I figure the wear and tear into my pricing. I also figure into my priceing the scouting/sales force I also figure into my pricing my profit/tip. I do nbot expect a penny more.

[Breezy]

same thing goes with people who cut hair. If they own the place i dont tip but if they pay booth rental i tip. If i get a tip for doing some tire work for someone i give it to my employees if they insist on giving me one.

[huntresss]

Just because a guide happens to own the business, doesn't mean he's getting rich off of it. Quite the contrary in fact, since he's the one that has to buy the boat, the rods, the fuel, etc. I always tip because I know how much work goes on before I get there, and again after I leave. I personally would rather pay a set rate for the trip and then decide for myself how much to tip then to have the gratuitiy determined for me. I hate going to a restaurant and finding a 15% gratuity charge added to the bottom of my tab.

Just out of curiosity, for you guys that don't believe in tipping...do y'all stiff the waitperson when you eat out? If so, I wouldn't suggest eating anything that has a funny flavor to it if you eat there more than once