Do you have rules in your boat?

[BigAngus752]

Yes!

 

1.  No one else in my boat.

 

Turns out if you stick to that rule you don't need to make any more rules!

[crypt]

wear life jacket.....no whining.....no smoking......no booze.....no poop in the boat.......

[fishhugger]

are rules different than what guests are expected to do to help with the boat stuff? my cousin has a pal with a boat....  guests are expected to chip in for fuel, help load and unload, be there on time, do whatever else needs helping with, help wash the boat (i think) after..... i forget what else. i referred to his pal as captain bligh, jokingly...  

i recognize it takes a lot to have a boat........   ... but don't you guys have guests do chores for the boat??? or chip in for fuel or dock fees........ 

[gim]

I don't expect a guest to help pay for fuel or launch fees, etc.  But I do expect them to offer.  The classy, respectful people offer.  I don't fish much in other's boats but I always offer when I do because I know how expensive it can be to own and maintain one.

 

Another one I forgot when I previously posted.  No bare feet.  At least sandals required.  Hooks and bare feet don't mix, plus no one wants to see your crusty hairy nasty stinky branch grabbers.

[GreenPig]

- No alcohol before or during a trip

- Life jacket on and buckled while running the gas engine. If you can't swim it doesn't come off. I won't come in after you, but I'll drag you in with treble hooks.

- No #2 in my livewell. 

[crypt]

if someone wants to chip in on gas etc. thats ok. I don't expect it when I ask someone to go. I figure I'm going anyway and if a buddy can go that's fine. 

[bartnc37]

To me if you have to ask a guest for gas money in the boat then you probably shouldn't have the boat.  Week long destination trip is one thing, but out for a day, sure it's nice if they offer, but otherwise buy lunch after and call it a day.  

[J._Bricker]

I gotta agree with the rules previously stated above by others. They’re your rules and since they pretty much mirror my own rules, must be respected and followed. Even though I’m pretty much a solo angler, here’s a few of my thoughts to add regarding a day on the water;

 

I wear my vest (Mustang inflatable) from the time I leave the dock and it doesn’t come off until I return to where I launched. Personal experience has taught me this is good practice.

Feet in shoes stay in the boat and on the deck - I don’t put my feet on the deck cap and neither will my guests.

If you miss a hook set and the weight hits the boat or motor, a simple “sorry about that” goes a long way. (Yeah it’s a pet peeve, I can create enough “stars” in the fiberglass on my own and don’t need any help)

I genuinely like the offer to wipe down the boat after it’s recovered and on the trailer. 

The offer of gas money is appreciated, but I respectfully will decline it - a burger, fries and a soda would be welcomed with a lot discussion on the days fishing.

 

 

[TnRiver46]

If you wanna go all out on rules………. (Looking at you @gimruis)

 

if someone chips in for gas or lunch, technically you should have a captains license from the USCG because that counts as being a guide. Thankfully this is not often enforced 

 

I like the Outback Steakhouse motto, no rules just right. Although are they still in business? 😂 

[gim]

I just think it’s the courteous thing to do. I offer to help at work, around the house, at my parents place, etc. So it’s natural for me to offer to help pay for expenses. For some people that don’t own or understand the associated expenses with having a boat, maybe they don’t get it. Or maybe they’re just cheapskates too.

 

Most of the rules I’ve read here seem to be fairly easy to follow and more along the lines of common sense in a boat.

 

I enforce federal law for a living so it’s easy for me to get carried away here. It’s either there or it’s not. I see the world in black and white. No shades of gray.

[TnRiver46]

I know, that’s why I figured you might be interested to hear about the way rules read when taking someone out for a boat ride in exchange for money. Courtesy can be illegal in this case 

[MN Fisher]

Except Gim isn't requiring money, he's just accepting offered money - there's a difference. Splitting costs voluntarily doesn't fall under the 'Professional Guide' rules...it's just friends helping friends.

[volzfan59]

I'm not a baby sitter so I don't have any "rules" other than we're going to obey the law.

 

I guess my only real rule is Have fun, enjoy yourself and catch fish.

[Woody B]

One more rule I didn't mention.   BE QUITE    My youngest grandson struggles with that one sometimes.   

 

I won't accept any money from anyone.  If they offer to pay I tell them to put in the plate a Church or some other worthwhile charity.  I'm going fishing.  It doesn't cost any more to take someone with me.   

[J._Bricker]

Outback Steakhouse is still in business @TnRiver46, but the last time I was there my steak was seriously over seasoned and the experience wasn’t impressive.  I recently went to a Brazilian steakhouse, 16 different cuts of meat (beef, chicken, pork, lamb) cooked using indirect heat and served tableside off the skewer how you like it cooked and as much as you want. I highly recommend if you have the opportunity.
 

*And all this talk about money and the law…. Anybody ask their guest(s) if they have their fishing license on them before leaving the dock? (I forgot to mention it in my above previous post).

[TnRiver46]

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Except Gim isn't requiring money, he's just accepting offered money - there's a difference. Splitting costs voluntarily doesn't fall under the 'Professional Guide' rules...it's just friends helping friends.

Thats not the way it reads to me, accepting anything for trade (money, magic jumping beans, etc) is a payment 

 

 

[gim]

2 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

Anybody ask their guest(s) if they have their fishing license on them before leaving the dock?

 

No, can't say that I have.  I would expect anyone to be fishing to have the appropriate license to do so.  If they don't and get caught, that's on them.  Not me.

 

Brazilian Steakhouses rock.  Arguably one of my favorite places to eat.  We have Fogo De Chao and Rodizio Grill here.  It's tough to walk out to the car afterwards sometimes.

[JackstrawIII]

You guys are intense with your rules... makes me wonder what kind of people you invite to go fishing with you haha. 

 

My only rule is "I only invite people I want to fish with." That pretty much covers it and have never had a problem. Turns out if you don't invite idiots, you don't have to worry about idiotic behavior.

 

[A-Jay]

16 minutes ago, JackstrawIII said:

You guys are intense with your rules... makes me wonder what kind of people you invite to go fishing with you haha. 

 

My only rule is "I only invite people I want to fish with." That pretty much covers it and have never had a problem. Turns out if you don't invite idiots, you don't have to worry about idiotic behavior.

 

A-Jay

[fishhugger]

man, you guys is pretty easy going with yer rules, afaict. they're pretty much courtesy, or common sense, safety, etc...  if you got a pet peeve and just tell people politely - yeah....... you guys r pretty easy going, afaict. 

not like my cousin's pal, captain bligh.......in my earlier post.......... criminy.  although, i can see that guys point 2............but i woodn't go on his boat.............. all his rules and moneys collected and chores and everything --- i woodn't want to be around that myself.

[slonezp]

No smoking and the captain is always right

[flyfisher]

After reading this thread, I am glad I kayak fish.....as long as you are legal i'll fish with you once, depending how that goes ther emay or may not be another foray.

[slonezp]

1 minute ago, flyfisher said:

After reading this thread, I am glad I kayak fish.....as long as you are legal i'll fish with you once, depending how that goes ther emay or may not be another foray.

Love you too babe

[flyfisher]

6 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Love you too babe

i'd be willing to get a tandem kayak if you visit

[slonezp]

1 minute ago, flyfisher said:

i'd be willing to get a tandem kayak if you visit

Who gets the front seat?