Anyone have a rule of thumb on what to tip deckhands on fishing trips?

I usually tip 20-30 bucks sometimes more if they clean fish for you on trip back in.

I thought that was enough but found out it may not be.

Some deckhands only income is from tips, some deckhands have captains that pay them a small base pay. Best to ask the deckhand or captain: "Hey what would be considered a "good tip" for the deckhand. Often the figure the deckhand will give you will be an "average tip"... don't be afraid to surprise them if they did and exceptional job. But don't be afraid to tip a couple bucks if they did the bare minimum.

It's best to consider how many clients they are managing, then think about what their effort is worth. Think about it... a deckhand on a big charter boat that gets $20-$25 per guest from 20 anglers is doing pretty decent for the day... a deckhand on a more intimate 6 passenger vessel that gets $10 per head isn't even getting minimum wage.

used to get two bucks a head per day and 10 bucks to clean the boat each day from the skipper. A good tip would be 5 bucks. Trips for $59 back then also so it seems about 9 or 10 percent of trip cost would be a good tip.if deckhands are getting 20 to 30 dollars per person in tips on an 18 to 20 person boat, that's a good summer income for a high school or college student.

A charter with 15-20 guys on it I'll tip my deck hand $20.00.Good luck,

SZ

Start with $20-$25 in mind. If it's a great trip, increase it. If not, keep it at $20-$25. If it's a poor outing, due to poor deckhanding, decrease it.

In Washington State, $20 - 30. There are other places where DH's should get tipped WAY more than that (Marlin & Sails etc...)

I tip on attitude and degree of hard chargin'. Don't be hung over. Be cool, fun and positive. Make me laugh Monkey. Stay on the water longer than the other fella's and take it personally. #'s of fish never factor into the equation as a deck hand can't make another living creature do something it doesn't want to do. What he can do is control his attitude and effort level.

Just use common sense. Don't be excessive either way. Last year in Sitka, on a 3 day trip I tipped the Captain, whom also doubled as deck hand, $200, the deckhand $100. My 4 buddies tipped the same. On a side note; the fishing was so ridiculously hot, it was like a war zone. Those boy's earned every penny. Day fishing with a local guide around here, tips are about 20-25 bucks depending on previous nights celebrations.

I agree with asking the skipper. If tips are their only income I think 25% and up is qood, but tip what you can. I really enjoy watching a ambitious kid work. They help make the trip. Ive been on trips were the skipper doesnt want tips. They prefer their help gets them. I always tip both tho. Unless the service is bad. Then I just grab my stuff and leave. How the fishing is has nothing to do with it. I dont do charters much anymore, but those kids are busy, and earn their money. They have to put up with some crotchity old gummers sometimes too. I was on a trip at westport many years ago, and this old fart had a fish around 60 all played out and laying on its side 40ft or so away from the boat. The deckhand was about 14 and was on the net as the guy was yarding that big bad boy in. The wind was blowing 25ish. The kid was smoking and flipped his cig over the side and the wind got it and it sailed up and around in a big loop and hit that guys line, and bing......man what a bummer. The old guy was so pissed he threw his rod down, and went after the kid . The skipper had to get inbetween them. He sent the kid inside for a while. I really felted sorry for that kid. He was doing a great job too. The trip was 59.00. I tipped him 50. We are friends to this day. He is kind of a retard. Lol