Larry Brown Notes
How Much Should I Tip?
By Larry Brown
OK, we’ve had a great fishing trip and it’s time to pay our galley charges and leave a tip. The boat, crew, service and food all met or exceeded my expectations. How much should I leave the crew for a tip? As a charter master on 8 long range trips a year, this is one of the most frequently asked questions on my trips?
Gratuities are a national custom. Some countries don’t even have this custom as part of their culture but this is America and tips for services rendered are considered normal and customary. Although gratuities are a personal decision, the regular and expected tip for restaurant service or when you are fishing on a sport vessel is 15%. The crew normally shares the total tip evenly. It is expected and appreciated and a very significant part of their income and livelihood. This 15% rule applies on 1 day trips or 10 day trips.
Trips are expensive and another 15% is a big chunk of change. I agree but consider the following perspective. Say we’re on a 5 day trip and the schedule price is $ 2,000. A 15% tip is $300 and there are 7 crew members. This works out to be $ 42.86 per crew member for the trip or $8.57 per crew member per day. This is just pennies per hour.
Think of the service you receive from crew members on a fishing trip and the incredible long hours and days of this service and it starts to look like less money. Contrast this to your tipping at a nice restaurant when the bill comes to $200. You don’t hesitate leaving $30 for just 2 hours of service. Then you tip the parking valet $ 3-5 for two minutes of service or disservice.
Are there are different circumstances which may warrant a less or more generous tip?
Q: What if the fishing was bad?
A: Blame Mother Nature, not the crew. Weather and fishing are unpredictable and we all know why it’s called fishing and not catching. The crew is as bummed out as you are. They desperately want to see bloody decks and see you catch fish, but often it’s not to be. They still are doing their job of keeping you safe, cleaning the decks and heads and serving you good food. Tip 15% if the fishing is good or bad as long as the service is good.
Q: What if the service was bad?
A: Sit down with the captain and tell him you normally leave 15% percent but that you are leaving less because a specific crew member was rude or delivered sub par service. Be specific so he can remedy the situation and not conclude you are cheap.
Q: What if I got a ˝ off deal or 2-for-1 deal on the trip price?
A: Just like at a restaurant where there is a 2 for 1 meal, it is customary and expected the tip will be calculated on the regular full price or for two people.
Q: What if I brought my child?
A: I’ll bet your kid received extra help and service and maybe some hook and handed fish. I see kids, novice ladies and first time anglers getting extra service all the time with bait selection, casting and hook and hands. The crew is happy to do this and really wants everybody to have a great time and catch fish. This also allows dad or hubby to spend more time fishing and less time teaching. This may be time to add a little extra to show your appreciation.
Q: What if I win the jackpot?
A: Most experienced anglers leave their full regular tip and if they are lucky to win the jackpot also give 50% of the JP winnings back to the crew as an additional gratuity. Some regulars give back the entire jackpot as pride and bragging rights is their real reward
Q: What if we hit a whale and couldn’t even go fishing?
A: You may laugh at this last question but it actually happened on a 5 day trip a couple of years ago. On the first night out of San Diego we hit something in the dark which ripped off two propellers and a rudder, and we had to limp home never even wetting a line. The crew performed flawlessly and professionally in that event and for the entire “non-fishing” trip. They alerted the coast guard in 12 seconds and all the other boats in the area to start heading in our direction “just in case” we needed them. They checked every cabin and space for leaks and quickly sealed the leak in the engine room. They even jumped in the water at dawn to access the damage under the boat and secure the dangling props and shafts. We were fed well, enjoyed a couple of beautiful sunsets and gentle soothing seas, all beverages were free and were told we would receive a full refund or credit.
Everybody was wondering what to do about a tip, and as their charter master I got asked so many times we decided to have a group discussion. Some folks thought that a zero tip was in order and that if they rescheduled a trip they would need that budgeted tip money for that trip. Others were happy to be safe and alive and wanted to tip even more. The captain/owner of the boat said he would not even consider collecting for the drinks and tips because he failed to take us “fishing” so I was forced to collect from those who wanted to tip. Although I never counted the money in the box I handed over to the crew, they were blown away by our groups understanding and generosity.
I think the collective conclusion was you tip based on the circumstances of the trip and how the crew performed, whether the fishing and weather were good or bad or even if you hit a whale and have to abort the trip.
So when you are planning a trip remember to budget enough cash for the following: Mexican permits, fuel charges, galley, any tackle rental or purchases, fish filleting, cash raffles, poker and an appropriate tip.
Happy Fishing