[2 Joe's Fishing]

Most of our yearly fishing happens on Party Boats around Long Island. One question I hope someone can help us out with centers around tipping. Let me state that we always tip. There have been discussions on this website about the need for tipping the mates, but we would like to take it a step further. The questions we have are:

Do the mates "pool" tips as is common in restaurants? If we tip one mate is he sharing it with the rest of the crew? When I am tipping a mate for cleaning my fish and he isn't the mate that helped me during the trip, am I obligated to tip the mate that cleaned my fish and then a separate tip for the mate that helped us? Sometimes you are in a fishing frenzy and you have several different mates helping you throughout the trip. Bottomline is how do you compensate them for a job well done without feeling you cheated someone (not intentionally)?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

2 Joe's Fishing

 

[617905]

2 Joe...

I'm sure glad someone else is wonder the same thing I was. I fished a charter at Captree last week and the Mate(ess) was very helpfull. However she did not work the filet board. When it came to be tipping time I was in a real quandry. I finally asked her if the mates all pooled and split their tips and she replied with a very evasive "yes and no", what ever that was supposed to mean. However I do know what she was trying to accomplish and was ultimatly sucessful at. I finally ended up tipping them both. Not wanting to look cheep to either I gave them each what amounted to about a 25% tip for two fares and only two fish filleted. Although it was ultimatly my choice, I couldn't help from feeling cheated as I left the boat. So what is the real deal anyway?

 

[gottog]

Quite a few party boats do pool the tips for the mates. One exception that I know of is when only one of the mates is doing all the filleting, he/she will usually keep that "tip" money. If I'm not sure that the mates pool their tips I'll geberally give each a 5-spot atleast. If I win the pool I usually deduct my cost of the trip(if its large enough) and give the mates the rest or atleast half. Just remember to tip them and they'll take care of you

 

[Gamakatsu]

Every boat is different and if you're not sure, the best thing to do is ask. We pooled the tips on most of the boats that I worked on, and we made sure that every mate did his fair share. My basic tip on a party boat is $10 for good service and after that I factor in fish cleaning, pools, etc.

Gamakatsu

 

[616762]

tipping

When I fish on a party boat, I always give the mate his tip before we start fishing. I do it because 1) it will not be his fault if we are not into fish 2) I am hoping he will give me the little extra attntion that will make the trip more enjoyable. I am gonna tip anyway, so why not? I also will then add some if the trip is really good or if I win the pool. The filet guy gets another. Any thoughts?

 

[614204]

Tipping Mates on Party Boats

Son of a gun!!! I just came on this board to solicit the same info!(except I don't know how to create a new discussion HELP!)Well here goes,some boats out of Brooklyn after the mate cuts up bait,allow that mate to fish ALL DAY!!.He gets nothing.Besides some of the boats from that area post a schedule of charges for fileting fish ieorgies 3 for$1.00.I am fortunate to fish CAPTAIN MIKE out of Howard Beach.Whether he does nothing for me during the course of the day he still gets $5.00.Why?He gives me my bait and keeps the boat clean.He is on standbye should I need him.Few weeks ago one of my daughters was aboard with her boyfriend,since neither proved a threat to the fish population except for an occasional birdsnest or rig replacement I gave the mate $10
Winning a pool,Minimum 20%(this includes filleting the fish.) Have witnessed cheapos filleting their fish ON DECK!! to save a few dollars.Saw a pool winner of $108 stiff the mate(s)!!!Remember,a lot of these mates are young and they may party the night before which is no big thing.Bring an extra sandwich for them and/or snacks and offer it up front when you identify which mate is yours.This will work wonders! By no means does this preclude a tip but you will have a

friend for the duration of your trip especially on a crowded boat!!!Question?? Why is it that someone will unhesitantly tip a headwaiter $20-$50 for selective seating and yet skunk a mate who is at your beck and call for as many as 10 hours!!!!! In view of this,please let your conscience be your guide.Should you not have a conscience,please remove yourself from our society,we sure as **** don'nt want nor respect you!!!

 

[621133]

As a rule, all the money that all the mates get at the end of the day is put together, but, as other have said, this may differ from boat to boat.One thing to keep in mind is that the first mate (usually the most experienced and the one filleting fish)often gets a somewhat larger cut of the total tip money, which is only fair. I guess the best thing to do if you have any doubts is to ask, but, as Nightcaster found out, you may not always get a totally honest answer.

 

[617467]

regaldozer

i agree with you 100%we jump on a party boat for no fuss no muss fun.

 

[Captneilf]

Hi all,

Good discussion.

Very good suggestions in all posts.

When I was a mate tips were shared equally. Most times my co mate was experienced. I felt if the other mate worked as hard as I did she/he deserved an equal share. Also I hoped that way the mate would put ALL the tips on the table and not hold back.

Each boat and possible each crew on a boat do the sharing a little different. Many boats have a 1st mate, 2nd mate, 3rd mate and trainees/helpers. Many times a 1ST mate is a career mate, family man etc. So you can see the reason for each mate getting a different %. Incentive to become a better mate and move up the scale?

The hardest trip to work deck is when the fish don't bite or most of the fish are shorts. Try to keep a cheery face under adverse conditions. I had a mate walking around the deck telling the fares it was the captains, ME, fault they weren't catching fish, like I wasn't trying. I said Mike what are you doing? I'm having a tough enough time! He said I don't want it to hurt my tips! LOL!!!!!

Remember a mate is on deck at least an hour before the trip and spends at least an hour, maybe 2, after the trip. Let me tell you folks, cleaning a partyboat after a crowded trip is hard work. Scrub a porgyboat, clam bait, or a bluefish boat, blood and scales, and you have earned your pay.

I like to tip a mate early in a trip, I usually know the mates. Just the human nature of a mate will usually get you better service, I always tried to give each fare equal service BUT human nature being what it is, friendly people, good tippers, pretty ladies, children and folks really interested in learning did get a little more of my time if possible.

If I had a banner catch I would increase the tip. I always start at 20% of the fare. The same goes for a waitress/waiter.

HOWEVER!!!!!

I will not tip a mate or I will lessen the tip IF he/she is abusive, never around, fishes for themself instead of taking care of the customers(I don't mind a mate fishing to help a customer get started as long as they continue to be there for the other customers).

Make sure you tell the capt if you like the job the mates did. Also make sure you tell him if they did a lousy job. Most capt/owners care.

Almost all my partyboat experiences have been very enjoyable. I learn much from the mates/capt, meet many very nice people and some have become friends and fishing partners.

Bottom line, treat the crew as you would like to be treated!!!!!

Enjoy and go fishing!!!

Capt Neil

 

[618976]

tipping

I have work and fish on many partyboats and here are a few of my observation:

All boats that I work on pooled the tips. Most smaller boats carry usually 2 mates and sometime a third helper mate. This is usually a young kid who basically helps out the other experienced mates. The helper will not share the tips. He might get a five spot from the pooled tips. His pay is for a free day of fishing. If he gets a few tips himself he will be allowed to keep them.

The other two mates will usually split the tips equally. Some boats might sail with a new mate or a fill in, in this case the new guy might get a little smaller share of the pooled tips.

Some boats sail without many regulars. The mates sometimes will skim the pool. Actually take 20% or so off the top.

Other boats sail with many regulars and they understand the importance of tipping.

Keep in mind, at the trip end, while one mate is cleaning the boat, the other is usually working at somethig else.. Gathering old bait, Rods, Cleaning etc....

For best service, A small tip early on works best.

Trust me, getting a five spot when a fare first gets on the boat will get my attention.

Also, It is important at days end, to chat with the capt. and report to him of the service provided, goo or bad. They need to know the feedback.