Tipping your guide.

[tarheel]

Just like any profession there are good ones and bads ones. For any person giving personal service (roofer, guide, painter, lawn care boy, etc.) it is always a good idea to get a recommendation from a few friends that you trust. I know of some guides that will give you a full refund if you don't catch any fish because they feel so bad that they let you down....... and I know others that would nap on any occasion.

General Ann Landers rule is that you don't have to tip somebody who owns their own business. However, I agree with Sac here... TIP = TO INSURE PERFORMANCE. If they go out of your way and exceed your expectations, then tip them something. I would think rounding $225 up to $250 for a solid good time is easy enough on your pocket and probably very appreciated by your guide. If the guide sleeps the whole time then don't give him anything.

[FishnLine]

I've heard of a couple of bad experiences, but nothing like the above!

There are a lot of great guides out there and if you ask around and do your research, most of the time you will get a decent one.

As far as tipping goes, a group of us use to go deep see fishing and we would pitch in and 10 bucks a piece if the deck hand did a good job. This was around a $800-$1200 trip with around 8 of us fishing. I don't think $10 dollars would be that much for each individual to pay the guide if he/she did a good job.

[crappie52]

i would but my guide at ky lake takes all money winning first fish most fish and big fish, i am going to raise the stakes on him this spring. just kiddin, always tip. thanks richard for the awsome trips.

[gone fishing]

crappie52

That's Richard for you. You have to watch him or he will put you on the wrong side of the boat until he catches the big fish. He'll do anything for a dollar! (Just kidding) He's a super nice guy and a very good friend of mine and will do his very best to make it an enjoyable trip for you.

Donald

[Darryl Morris]

Tips are appreciated, but not required. When I'm paid for a trip I just put the money in my pocket and finish cleaning fish or whatever is needed to be done. Most times I get a tip and a few times I've even been shorted on the payment. I guess they needed a fishing trip really bad. I'm not going judge all my clients by the actions of a few. For those of you who have had a bad experience with a guide, I'm sorry. Please, don't judge us all by the bad apples. References from others are very important. But, sometimes it's not that easy getting references like we can get here on crappie.com. Also, check their website if they have one. Is it professional, informative, up-to-date with current pictures and do they offer a guarantee?

[frank lawhead]

Tips are appreciated, but not required. When I'm paid for a trip I just put the money in my pocket and finish cleaning fish or whatever is needed to be done. Most times I get a tip and a few times I've even been shorted on the payment. I guess they needed a fishing trip really bad. I'm not going judge all my clients by the actions of a few. For those of you who have had a bad experience with a guide, I'm sorry. Please, don't judge us all by the bad apples. References from others are very important. But, sometimes it's not that easy getting references like we can get here on crappie.com. Also, check their website if they have one. Is it professional, informative, up-to-date with current pictures and do they offer a guarantee?

DARRYL I THOUGHT I HAVE KNOWN LOW LIFE, BUT ITS HARD TO VISION SOME STIFFING A GUIDE --I GUESS I JUST THOUGHT I,D SEEN IT ALL

[DENNIS WILLIS]

Have only been out with a guide one time and he was a good one. Wanted my wife to catch a striper,went out with a guide named Don Roberson on lake Lanier he was a class act. We only caught 2 fish, had two more runs I think my wife let them get in the timber and broke off. He keep us out all day and tried to put us on fish. When we got back to the dock I went to pay him and he would not take any money( I did not tell you that my wife had to pee and he pulled up on a island to let her off the boat well she jumped off the boat and the leg of her shorts hung on the light on the bow and broke it off). I sent him a check for 100.00 in the mail and to this day I can call him and ask if he has any info. on the bass and he will tell me where he has caught them while striper fishing.He gives guides a good name. If ever on Lanier and you want to catch big stripers and meet a class guide give Don a call 770-887-7475.Not a advertisement but a testamonial.D.W.

[Grumpa]

took a guided trip on lake Michigan, 3 couples for 8 hours. we must have traveled 60-70 miles trying to locate fish, final tally for the whole day 2 salmon. all 3 couples still gave a nice tip because the guide did more than expected to find fish. guide offered a free trip because we could not find the honey hole that day. the same 3 couples took another all day trip and had the same results, 2 fish but my wife caught the biggest lake trout of her life. again we gave another nice tip because we were paying for an experience not for catching fish.

[FalconSmitty]

Tips are not expected but are appreciated. We all need money. I have never did a trip that I didn't get paid more than I charge. I do think if the boat has a first mate, salt or fresh water, you should tip them. Some of those guys count on those dollars each day. To me getting paid to take ya fishing is tip enough!

[Slipcork]

only been on 3 guided fishing trips. One in AK, two here in AR. ALL the men worked very hard to put us on the fish. Also, have been on bird huntin trips and have always giving the guide a tip of some sort.

You know, the only time I have ever gotten a tip ($20 on a $2500 job) was from a man for New York. Didn't really feel like I should that it. He paid my asking price. Why give me a tip?