The only guide I've ever hired was for Salt Water. It was a day just absolutely built on memories. What a wonderful birthday, thanks to my loving husband. The guide was a super nice fella that enjoyed seeing us haul them in. He laughed with us as we laughed at each other. His "first mate" worked like a dog all day, keeping us baited and taking our fish off, icing them down and generally making it SO easy for us to enjoy.
The cost if I remember right was something like $600.00 for the day. I tipped the first mate $50.00 and then paid him to filet the catch. I tipped the guide another 50.00 and recommended him to a bunch of folks later.
I didn't use a percentage, just gave what my heart felt and what I could afford at the time.
We have many guides on crappie.com that give freely of thier experience and advice. I wish I were as wealthy a person as I'd like to be and be able to tip each and every one of them, both the professional ones and the others.
Of course, first class on this board to me are Jerry and Darryl. Lord knows if I ever get to Arkansas, they'll have to raise thier fees just to get rid of me!
"Be Ye Fishers of Men" You catch them- He will clean them