How much do you tip a guide?

[snake95]

Going out with a guide for a half day.  Rates seem reasonable for two guys.

 

What percentage do you add as a tip?

 

Thanks guys.

[Zippo Guy]

I took my grandson out on Lake Oroville with guide Joe Orozco, Bass Union. Today I tipped him $50.00, 10% for a half day trip for two. We did catch a bunch of nice bass and Joe's a great teacher.  This was our second trip with him. Curious what others tip. 

[Deleted account]

15-20% is customary. I sometimes net more on offshore trips working the deck than the captain makes running the boat. Small boat single man owner/operator guides varies regionally somewhat. With the increased costs of trips, the number looks big to some folks, particularly to some that don't charter much. 

[Captain Phil]

Tipping is a reward for doing your job better than the customer expects.  I based my fees on what I thought my time was worth.  I never expected to get a tip.  I received many.  I gave back a few if I felt I didn't perform as I expected.

[volzfan59]

When I lived in Nashville, my next door neighbor was a guide and tournament angler. His average tip was around $50.00, sometimes higher, sometimes lower. Charlie was an excellent teacher and would go the extra mile. 

[gim]

I've only been on a few guided trips in my life.  They were all for saltwater fishing in Florida.  My guide went above and beyond every time to get us on some fish, and he never failed.  One time I booked a 4 hour inshore saltwater fishing trip in Tampa Bay for redfish, sea trout, and snook.  He kept us fishing for 7 hours and never charged us more than our prepaid half day of fishing.  On the way in it was kinda rough and we speared a wave and I took the brunt of it sitting in front of the center console.  I think he felt bad about that lol

 

I fresh $100 bill was given to all of these guides, except that guy.  I gave him $200 for that trip.  I would use any of them again in a heartbeat and when I go on another saltwater fishing trip in the future I am going to request them.

[Bankc]

2 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

Tipping is a reward for doing your job better than the customer expects.  I based my fees on what I thought my time was worth.  I never expected to get a tip.  I received many.  I gave back a few if I felt I didn't perform as I expected.

That's my take as well, for all tipping.  I don't tip people who just did what was expected.  It's not my responsibility to cover for someone who doesn't budget a business properly.  That's corporate welfare.  If you're going to run a business, you need to take your own financial responsibility seriously.  Relying on the generosity of customers to compensate for your fiscal malfeasance is not appropriate in a capitalist society.

 

That being said, I also set my expectations according to price.  If the guide was really cheap to begin with, I'm not going to expect much.  And if he/she gave us a good trip, I'll tip him/her up to the point where I would have expected such a service to cost.  I want them to make a healthy profit if they did a good job so they can remain in business, and I can return.  But if they charged a fair price to begin with, then I believe they covered that themselves.  

[Darth-Baiter]

I dont fish with guides often. only once domestically for LMB.  guide was a 17 year old kid.  he hustled.  I work with his dad on occasion in a Civil engineer vs. Contractor capacity.  Dad must have insisted his kid find me fish.  he did.  I kinda sucked that day.  used guide rods which were all lefty reels and surprisingly awkward feeling.   I backlashed a few times, and lost a lure.  but I got a PB at that time.  hardest working young person I have ever met.  great conversation skills as well.  my friend whispers to me, " I might give him all my money in my pocket as a tip".  (I paid for the trip).  at the end, I put in $60, and my buddy did indeed do a pocket dump.  that kid was shocked.  he earned it and I at least wanted to pay for the vision 110 I sent away.  hahha.

 

in Mexico, I was super young.  20 maybe.  the guide was really just a local dude.  I gave him cash, and all my fishing clothing, and Tevas.  I came home with empty luggage and my rod tube.  hehe.

 

it really depends on the guide and situation.  in Oregon, walleye trip - I hated the guide.  he would yell at me, catch himself, and turn all nice..only to yell again.  I didn't tip. my brother did.  forget that guy.  he ONLY knew how to fillet fish.  cleaning one whole stymied him.  we had to do it.  ridiculous.

[Choporoz]

1 hour ago, Bankc said:

That's my take as well, for all tipping.  I don't tip people who just did what was expected.  It's not my responsibility to cover for someone who doesn't budget a business properly.  That's corporate welfare.  If you're going to run a business, you need to take your own financial responsibility seriously.  Relying on the generosity of customers to compensate for your fiscal malfeasance is not appropriate in a capitalist society.  

I am not fully behind current US tipping culture, but I won't refuse to acknowledge it at the expense of hard working entry level service industry employees.  The current CAPITALIST market pricing incorporates current tipping cultures and norms.  So, for me, I will tip for service performed at basic, expected level.  You stiff the waitress at IHOP,  you're not sticking it to the greedy owner, I'm afraid.

  Similar for small independent owner, operators.  Right or wrong, if market pricing has tipping as a component, I will tip for basic service.  And I will tip exceptionally for exceptional service.

[TOXIC]

Usually a sensitive subject.  Plenty of guides giving their perspective.  Here’s a few of my thoughts having guided for over 15 years, freshwater only and on multiple bodies of water. I never expected a tip.  I worked just as hard no matter who was onboard.  As for the camp that claims it is my responsibility to price guide trips so that my profit is built in without a tip, that’s not how it works.  In order for that business model to work, I would have to know how many trips I would book in a year, add in all my costs for boat/truck maintenance, fuel, insurance, baits, and divide that by the number of trips.  Then add in an appropriate profit margin that makes me a living wage. With fuel costs alone wildly fluctuating, its difficult to put a price on it.  Most guides work off of volume not trip costs.  Most years if I charged what I needed to make a profit, most couldn’t afford me.  That’s what makes guiding as a business so difficult.  Most have other jobs or are touring pros.  Funny thing though, some of my biggest tips came from days when we didn’t boat a fish. 

[roadwarrior]

9 hours ago, Deleted account said:

15-20% is customary. 

 

[softwateronly]

If the guide is still using his/her price structure from last year, I'd definitely be inclined to tip more to help offset fuel price volatility.  

 

scott

[Dwight Hottle]

I have always tipped 10% of the guides day or trip rate as a minimum with more for a special outing.  

[soflabasser]

Most fishing guides get a 10-20% tip, depending on how good they are at putting their clients on fish and other factors. 

[Captain Phil]

Tipping a fishing guide is different than tipping a waitress or a service worker.  Those folks are generally working for minimum wage and count on tips to make a living.  In most cases, a fishing guide is an independent businessperson.  They set their own rates and control who they choose as customers.  I appreciated tips, but did not expect them.  Salt water fishing is a different animal when there are mates involved.  I have been a mate on a charter boat and it's tough dealing with customers who may hurt themselves, get in the way or worse.  Most of the time you are working in the sun, rigging baits, untangling lines and dealing with flying hooks and gaffs.  Often you are the only person the customers talk to.  If you are going to tip, tip the person who helps you the most.

[slonezp]

4 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

I have always tipped 10% of the guides day or trip rate as a minimum with more for a special outing.  

We did the same on our Erie charter in May. Captains were employed by the charter service. I think if I had a guide who worked for himself, the tip would be solely dependant on the success of the trip.

 

Last salmon charter I was on, we tipped the first mate as well. He had all the fish gutted and cleaned before we made it back to the dock. 

[TOXIC]

I may be a little bit overly sensitive here but I don’t like reading about how your trip with a guide is gaged by your fish catches.  When I was guiding I could get clients on fish 90-95% of the time by my estimation.  As a matter of fact, I had a “milk run” of spots that held what I called client fish.  BUT…..there were some days the fish were just not going to bite.  We’ve all had those days.  Guides are no different.  If they worked hard to get you on fish then they did their job.  I normally didn’t fish on guide trips but if I had clients who questioned we were where there were fish, I would pick up a rod and catch a few just to prove a point.  Likewise, if I had clients that wanted trophy fish I told them upfront that was an all or nothing trip.  I also had a client get in my boat with his 2 grown sons and say that if he didn’t catch a 6lber the trip was a waste.  I politely told him he could take all of his gear out of the boat if that were the case because I don’t make guarantees.  Funny thing, he caught a 4 pounder and as they were all celebrating I told him it must be exciting to catch a 6 pounder.  Everybody laughed.  Like I said, I never expected a tip but if you are going to tip base it on how hard the guide worked.  No doubt I have read stories about bad guides, they do exist and they give others a bad name.  

[king fisher]

     As a general rule, the owner of a business should not be tipped, and employees should be tipped according to the quality of service they provided.  As with anything to do with fishing, you can not go by general rules.

     One problem is many guides are the owner and only employee.  They should only be stiffed completely if the service was sup par.  a small tip if service was average, and the sky is the limit if the service was exceptional.  You should tip for the service, not simply by the size and numbers of fish caught.  A lazy guide can have a lucky day and catch you fish, but a good guide will never give up if fishing is slow and give you extra time on the water if that what it takes to get fish in the boat. You should learn something from a good guide, and feel like you would want to fish with them again, regardless of size and number of fish caught.  If you feel like you would not want to fish with them again, then they did not do their job.  They should be able to provide exceptional service for any factor they have complete control over, such as lunch, drinks, safety ,boat handling, teaching ability, and general comfort.  The factors they can't control like making the fish, bite they should demonstrate exceptional knowledge, skill and do their very best.

       All the outfitters, I have worked for both hunting and fishing would give any tips they got to their staff.  If the owner is the only employee, than they probably depend on tips to keep in business, and you should tip something unless they did not live up to the service they promised when you booked the trip, were rude, didn't try their hardest to get you fish,  or you simply did not enjoy your day.

       Tipping is a very personal matter, and no one but the fisherman can determine what they should tip.   I have had clients that tipped almost nothing for unbelievable days in the field, or on the water. I look forward to taking these anglers out year after year regardless of how much they tip. I have had others, that tipped far more than I expected, but I would dread having to ever take them fishing again.  Remember guides usually guide for the love of the sport, and hope to some how make a living.  For every great guide, there is a great client, and for every poor guide their is a poor client.  I have always tried to be a great guide, and if you want to be a great client, a big tip may help, but being a fun person to spend a day on the water with is more important.

       A good guide will know the fishery like the back of his hand, not be intimidated by sub par weather, or water conditions, and be be able to adjust to any skill level of angler.  They will be an excellent teacher, and a fun person to spend a day on the water with.  If he or she does all that, then a generous tip is a great way to show your appreciation.  What you think is generous is personal, and will vary from anger to angler.  If your guide works for a lodge or outfitter, the owner should be able to give you an idea, of what they consider and average tip.  Please never ask the guide how much to tip.  It makes for a very awkward moment, and most guides will simply say whatever you want and you haven't found anything out anyway.  Also, guides can always use and appreciate any gear from lures to waders, and most wont turn down a beer at the end of the day.

       

     

[Bluebasser86]

Tip what you feel the trip was worth. I've had everything from nothing to an extra $100 from both people. I get paid well when I guide, but I also work hard to put people on fish. I'm not going to be mad at a person either way. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

I did 2 days on Okeechobee in February and the fishing was brutal.  I think we boated 7 fish.  However, my guide worked his tail off.  IMO he did everything in his power to make it a successful trip, and educated us on the lake in the process.  $400/day I gave him $1,000.  Check my math but that's 20%.

 

When I say brutal, we overheard shiner guides at Roland's who were giving full refunds to their clients. 

 

*One thing that will lower my tip is if the guide fishes any more than just testing a lure for us to use.  I always ask that question up front.  I never want to be back seated on my own dime.  

 

I've said this in previous posts but communication prior to the trip is critical.  The first impression I receive regarding their customer service is useful in selecting the right guide, and getting you on the same page.  When done thoroughly, I'm completely comfortable with them earning an extra 20%.

 

 

[TOXIC]

It’s nice to read the responses from guides on here that are true professionals that “get it”. 

[the reel ess]

21 hours ago, TOXIC said:

I may be a little bit overly sensitive here but I don’t like reading about how your trip with a guide is gaged by your fish catches.  

I wouldn't say that. But you can get a feel for how hard a guide is working if the bite gets slow and he's rigging up two more rods for you to try different things. That was the experience I had with a So FL guide. I invited him to fish with me because I was alone. But instead, he spent most of his time going through his arsenal to keep me catching. And it worked. I tipped well.

 

My dad and I fished with a striper guide who wanted us to limit out so he could go home. The bite was on the down rods and he would grab the rod, set the hook and hand it to us. So I set up shop next to the down rods and started catching my own. We caught 13, including a big bass. But it didn't feel like it was worth the cost. We went 2 places and he said he was out of locations. I can't remember what we tipped. It was 30 years ago.

[Choporoz]

3 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

 

My dad and I fished with a striper guide who wanted us to limit out so he could go home.

After hearing stories of guys paying 150 for striper trips that fished for 40 minutes,  I said 'no thanks'.  It has been decades since I was last on charter, but on those trips, if you limit out, they go fish for something else to finish your half or full day.  If I just want Rockfish, I'll go to Safeway.  I want to fish.

[the reel ess]

31 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

After hearing stories of guys paying 150 for striper trips that fished for 40 minutes,  I said 'no thanks'.  It has been decades since I was last on charter, but on those trips, if you limit out, they go fish for something else to finish your half or full day.  If I just want Rockfish, I'll go to Safeway.  I want to fish.

Even if I caught a limit and you can't cull fish, I want to C&R them until time's up. 

[SC53]

As long as the guide tries his best, at least in my eyes, he’s getting a tip. Whether I do my part or not. It’s usually 15% or more. 
What won’t tolerate is a guide that fishes, unless I suggest he does. 
All I ask is to be put in the right location and advised what to use and I’ll take it from

there.