How much do you pay.....

[robodad]

Here is a subject that I hate !! When you invite someone to go fishing with you I am sure you expect that they will contribute to the trip financially but what bothers me is I never know weather or not I have given enough or have I given too much.

Personally I would like there to be a set amount that the "host" (for lack of a better term) sets for taking you fishing, I know there is some legal issues with guide licenses and crap but I mean an unwritten rule between those of us that do it amongst friends of like $50 for a days worth of fishing from everyone on board, this way there isn't the question and answer session at the end of the day of "Well what do I owe ya ??" and the reply "Well whatever" and one guy puts down $10 and another $40 and you do $50 etc......

It is uncomfortable to have that conversation at the end of a nice day on the water and as the "Host" sometimes I feel like I must have done a crap job finding the fish when no one wants to pony up the money !!

So "Hosts" or "Folks with boats taking out other folks" Give that some thought and maybe tell me I am way off base here or pick a number you can work with and let me know, I love to go fishing with other guys but am always uncomfortable with that part and makes me wonder if I'll be invited back if it wasn't enough or if it is because of the bad luck I bring to the boat after being on it for the day !!! 

EDIT: This could be moved to fishing if needed, sorry for posting it here !!!

[road.kill]

I think about this too. I hate to be the cheapskate but at the same time I dont like to be a pushover either. Most of my trips consist of gas money to and from the lake or gas money for the boat.

I dont find myself fishing with new people very often (although I like to, I just have a regular group of guys who I go with) and if they overpay me one time, I will give them a few extra the next time. If they drove and say "I dunno like 5 bucks" then I try to give then a little more. Or lunch on the way back is good to

I definately understand where you are coming from, its the most awkward part of the fishing trip if you dont know the guys very well

[Huntbear]

As a person that does not have a boat, anymore, here is what I have come up with.  If I am fishing with someone for the first couple of times, I put a $20 in his hand, and flat ask if that will cover it.  Does not matter if we catch fish or not.  If the person insists that is to much or makes a big deal out of it, I will buy him lunch/dinner at a local diner.

After owning a boat, and not owning one anymore, I fully appreciate the costs, but also appreciate anyone willing to take me out in their's.  I bring my own gear, a thermos of hot coffee during cold weather, a 12 pack of sodas in warm weather, and always willing to help wherever I can, launching, trailering, manning the boat if they get a fish on, etc.....

Maybe I do to much, but again, at least they know I appreciated the trip, and them inviting me when they did not have to.

[RustneckNW]

Most of the time I'd just be happy to get some help cleaning the boat afterward!
Cash is always appreciated, but I'm probably going anyways... so technically the money's already spent. Food is always appreciated too! But my biggest issue is ALWAYS being stuck with the cleanup.

[Mookie]

I pay for the bait, tackle, and beer, you pay for gas.

[magnanimous_j]

When I go fishing with a buddy who has a boat, I always bring food, a 12 pack, a couple cigars and help clean up. If we were going a long distance, I would probably chip in for gas too, but I usually don't if the boat is moored.

Never had a problem getting invites.

[rasbo]

I split gas,and what I figure for bait and lunch.when I go scouting for a day with my partner we take turns buying breakfast,who ever drives gets a free breakfast.I went shrimping with a guy.we both had a place in brinnon we leased.the shrimping was done a few hundred yards out of pleasant harbor.free ramp.I bought the bait,the beer and gave him 15 bucks for the boat fuel,he looked at me and said wheres that gonna get us,I was pissed..I pulled all the pots by hand,he might have used 3 gallons of fuel,we would set the pots and then go to shore at a friends beach which was 200yrds from the pots..and drink some beer.last time with him.oyeah gas was under 2 bucks a gallon.there was four of us on the boat,

[boneaddict]

As a host, I don't expect a dime, but if someone chips some in then it is really appreciated, or I jsut say no thanks and you drive next time, or I invited you, keep it.  Kind of depends on who I am hosting too.   If its someone along for 1/2 the oppurtunity then thats one scenario or if its someone I am introducing to the sport or I talked into coming, thats another. 

As an invitee, I usually pony up a $50 or a $100 (depends on how big of a trip it was)or whatever I think gas was.  Some refuse, some about break an arm reaching for the cash.


Two scenerarios from members on here.   I invited and took JDB on a scouting mission/coyote hunt.  At the end of the day he offered gas money and I said no thanks, and he said he'd drive next time. 

Huntnphool took me Sturgeon fishing.  I offered him a $100 and he refused it, said keep it, I invited you and I was coming already.  Now remember, he provided gear, bait, his boat, his time etc.   Now thats a gracious host.

[HawkenBob]

I fish allot, I have a few die hard friends that will go anywere anytime. They know how much I put out with the boat, rods, reels, taclke and the likes. They dont own there own gear cause I buy 4 of everything.

We fish the same circut pretty much every year. So we have it to a science. Each person puts in there third at the beginning. Typically just a cash amount in an envelope, like 40 bucks each. When its gone we put in more. I usaually just pay everthing on my debit card. so I add reciepts and take cash.

It works slick. But mostely, my trips are pre planned and if your new to the crew you'll know exactly whats required before you commit...

[agchawk]

Yea, this is always a tough one.

Usually, if I am the one inviting another on a fishing or hunting trip, I invite without expecting anything in return. After all, I am the one asking them if they want to go. If I am the one being invited, I always offer to at least split gas and vittle costs. If they refuse, I make sure I "leave" or "forget" a little something just so I feel better about the situation...whether or not they wanted anything but companionship in return.

Ya know though....most of my friends and/or the guys that I normally spend time with outdoors follow the "unwritten" rule that no good favor goes unreturned. They will bring stuff regardless or invite me on a seperate trip to repay the gesture.

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

I always just asked  for some to cover bait/gas... however I did not know at the time and some of you may not know as well, but any compentsation by ANYONE on YOUR boat is considered guiding by the USCG and if they wanted to and you did not have all the requirments, you be up a certain "creek"

[jackelope]

i'm with bone. when i invite someone to go fishing, it is not for gas money. it's part of the fun having a friend or showing someone new. the guys that i fish or hunt or scout or whatever with all seem to be on the same page...we rotate who drives, who buys breakfast, who brings food, etc. but we don't ask or tell whats what...it just kinda happens....but to answer the question, if i invite someone to go fishing, i am not looking for gas money. odds are i'd be going anyway, so the gas would get burned one way or the other.
when i go with someone i hope we need to stop for gas on the way so i can pony up for it, same goes for breakfast or lunch or whatever...given the opportunity i buy...we all gotta eat.

[HawkenBob]

Coast gaurd could care a less about "compensation". They only care if your carring passenger for hire without a 6 pack or better on navigatable waterways. Only WDFW cares about the money/guiding part. And its there discretion. We all ride, stay and fish together. Aint no way there gonna call that guiding.

Everybody flips for the bill, and the Gamies know it. You dont know how much time goes into busting people guiding for compensation without a licence. And the gamies have to go under cover.

Either that or your best friend gets mad and tells the Gamie you took his money and have no guide licence. They still have to prove it. and they cant.

So dont turn this inta a GF.com thread Paul. I had to un-ignore you just to see what your likely, normal banter was. No surprise, your back on ignore...Lol

[washingtonmuley]

As an owner of a boat I know how fast things can add up and I to feel uncomfortable telling someone how much they should pay.I think it is only right for the person invited to offer to pay for half of the expenses(gas,bait,tackle,etc.)Just my 2 cents.Anyone got room on their boat?

[FISHBOY]

This is a good topic, I usually fish Roosevelt, somtimes Moses, Banks and Rufus Woods.  Which means I typically have an 1 hr to 1 1/2 hrs of drive time one way and then whatever I burn in the boat (sometimes 30-40 dollars worth of fuel on the water) so it can get expensive especially in the summer with high gas prices.  I typically invite buddies to fish with me so it can be uncomfortable to ask for gas money, however I have a few guys who always offer 20-30 dollars of gas money which is perfectly fine with me.  I have had a few guys watch me put gas in the truck and boat (which totaled around 75-80 dollars) and didnt even offer to pay a little.  They dont get asked to fish with me anymore.