I've been on many types of party boats and i find that mates have a large effect on your fishing day. If you get on to a boat and you ask the mate to help you out and he makes it seem like your making him work all day then I usually don't return to that boat. Now I don't mind what the mate does(if he fishes a little) as long as he helps me out when i need help(which doesn't happen often, I like to do things myself), and is kind and welcoming to the costomers.