[dales529]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

This thread has gone WAY off the rails from where it started!.. Last time we had this tipping discussion, I was cut to shreds as a miserable, wretched, pennypinching miser because I was of the opinion that a tip was not automatic on a head boat but should be earned.. I have seen far too many mates that fished all day and barely moved from the rail so they could fill a 55 gallon drum and hose running into it the entire trip with live black fish for market. One even told me he got at least $25 each for them if kept alive. I still think its prudent to watch for good service during the trip before handing a guy $20-$30 as you walk aboard, unless you know him and know you will get good service.. I never thought a mate that sets a plastic cup of cut clam by your rod on the way out and is never seen again the entire trip was worthy of a tip.. I have seen great service, good service, poor service, and NO service by party boat mates, as well as some that were just miserable , drunk, and really had no business working with the public. Its been several years since I have been on a head boat and things may have changed I suppose, but those mates that fished all day and seldom lifted a hand to help the fares and more or less just assisted the captain in anchoring were the worst, and I could never understand how they were hired as mates in the first place...... The general consensus was last time was this.. If you don't want to tip, stay off the boat. Not sure the captains would agree with that opinion.... bob

Bob
Again Tipping is NOT Mandatory and of course go on the boat but you should have a tip in mind on your cost if you get the right service. If you get the bad service you described don't tip and find the right boat next trip. i have found most sponsor boats on this site have great mates which deserve a tip.