How much to tip on tuna charter?

[WoolyRunner]

Hey guys. I am going out on an Express Tuna Charter next week for the first time. Im very excited. I was wondering what you guys thought would be an acceptable tip to give the crew? I believe there will only be a Capt and a Deckhand.

Thanks

[wildmanoutdoors]

When I fish with All rivers for express Tuna its 395 per person for the rate. I tip 100 bucks.

[CP]

10% - 15% of the charter price is reasonable if they do a good job.  The last charter I took the tip was zero – the Captain did nothing but berate his customers and the deckhand was lazy and worthless.  Maybe that’s why I don't do charters anymore.

[lokidog]

IMO it depends how much "extra" they do, and how much they try to make your experience great.  If they just do their "job", then they are already being paid through the charter cost.   

[3boys]

It all depends on there level of service. I fished with one 2 years ago that was worthless and I tipped nothing to the captain and a small amount to the deckhand. When I am paying top dollar for fishing I have high expectations not for volume of fish but for effort. The captain on that trip would not even get out of his seat to help. Other boats next to us got twice the tuna due to the extra effort from the captain. That captain is no longer employed so I won't mention the charter service. I will be going in Aug and will tip according to the crew effort. 

[carlyoungs]

IMO it depends how much "extra" they do, and how much they try to make your experience great.  If they just do their "job", then they are already being paid through the charter cost.   

Are you sure on that? I heard all their wage is tips only. Would be nice to know for future trips.

[Netminder01]

I went out last year with 3 other friends and loaded the boat. Between 6 guys fishing, we pulled in 66 Tuna of which I have tasty filets in the freezer and dozens of canned remaining. I tip 20% unless it's a complete flameout and crappy experience then my tip would be determined on how the guide/captain deals with it.

We had a blast and I'd go again with the same outfit but don't recall the name off hand.

[Wetwoodshunter]

When I was a deckhand I rarely got tips over $50 for a person. If I got a fifty that was an awesome guest. Most people no matter what is done slip you a $20. If your looking at a six person tuna charter I would shoot for the whole boat tipping around $220.

But, as a deckhand we know you saved your $ all year to come on this trip. Not everyone can afford to be the best tipper and we recognized that. Tip what you feel is appropriate for the situation anywhere from $20-50 per person is the normal.

[wildmanoutdoors]

IMO it depends how much "extra" they do, and how much they try to make your experience great.  If they just do their "job", then they are already being paid through the charter cost.   

Are you sure on that? I heard all their wage is tips only. Would be nice to know for future trips.

There is no way these charters rely on tips only. That would be a sure loosing game.
Companies like All Rivers run (3) new 29 foot boats that cost an average of probably 150,000 each.
He hires 2 other captains besides himself as well (3) deckhands. Add in bait, ice, gear, fuel ect and his operating costs are HUGE.
Tips are a nice gesture and a show of extra effort or appreciation. That's it.

[Dhoey07]

Depends on the service but I do max 10%. 

[LITTLEBUCK]

Charters don't rely on tips but deck hands do.

[Wetwoodshunter]

It totally depends on who they work for. When I was a deckhand I was paid $2,000/ month by the company and made tips on top of that.

[kball4]

$2k plus tips is pretty good if its under the table.

[Wetwoodshunter]

It was a perfect summer job for a college student. I was able to graduate with no student loans and NO scholarships. 

But everyone thinks that its an easy job but 3 months without a day off and 4-5 hours of non-working hours kills. I figured out that for my time I was really making around $12.00 an hour for the time that I was working. I couldn't wait for the seasons to start, and couldn't wait for them to end but it was an AWESOME experience.

Good luck on your tuna trip.

[WSU]

Being a deckhand would be damn hard work.  Everyone forgets you start way before the people arrive and get done cleaning up way after they leave for the day.

[Bean Counter]

interesting discussion. I've never been on a charter but would be prepared to tip if I recieve adequate service. You don't get a trophy just for showing up: my $0.02.

[Dhoey07]

Bait or trolling trip?

[quadrafire]

I did a tuna trip last year. Tipped 10% and paid them to loin the fish for us. They got about an extra $80-100 for the trip over the booking fee. x that for 6 fishermen on the boat. Some may have done more or less I don't know

[wildweeds]

Went on a trip eons ago out of westport with Deep sea charters I think,Was on an 85 footer called the "Deluxe" there were 22 fishers on the boat and 3 deckhands,skipper Cliff,Cliffs dad Leonard was one of the deckhands at 80+ years old,an engineer/cook and Cliffs wife.We paid for a 2 day trip,when we arrived we had a decision to make the fish were not in close but if we were willing to fish just one day we could really get into them by running all night.The vote was for going for the big catch 120 miles out.Most of the party were experianced salmon fishermen we shattered the skippers daily catch record with 397 tuna in the hold,those deckhands really got a workout,we tipped 100 each in our 18 person party and paid for quite a few loin jobs.The trip fee for that charter was 450.We might have been tightwads on the tipping I guess but in 1995 100 bucks was worth quite a bit considering I made 13 dollars and hour.We helped the hands scrub and clean on the boat on the way in,it was a fish with bait trip.I'd go with that guy again in a second however I heard he headed back to southern  california.

[Fungunnin]

I currently am a part time deck hand on a friend's charter. Our agreement is I work for tips and fish. The Captain and I allow the boat to catch our limits and then we keep the two smallest limits. This won't be the case with Tuna since there is no limit. The clients will get everything.
On good weekends the captain will kick me some money on top of tips too.
I feel tips totally depend on the level of service given. If the crew goes over the top to make your tip enjoyable then tip them at least 10%.
Tipping the captain is not as expected as tipping the deckhands. I know several boats where the captain gives 100% of the tips to the deckhand. The job doesn't pay well and would be tough to live off of, but damn it is fun!

[Tealer]

I work as a deckhand for a charter boat in Astoria. Unlike fungunnin I get a daily rate, though I bring all the leaders, and supply some tackle. I more or less make my living in tips. I don't expect them but I try to work hard for them and try to provide an enjoyable trip. That said most days the average tip on a salmon trip is 10 to 15 per guy, 12 guys. I haven't done the tuna trips so I can't help you there.

On thing to remember on a charter boat, we all have good days and bad days. I know it stinks when you pay for a trip and the fishing isn't great but that's not always in control of the capt or deckhand.


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