Charter boat fishing captains reported that they generally receive tips of 10 to 20% of the trip cost. A tip of 15% is generally expected. The tip is divided between the captain and the partner on most ships. This same principle carries over to charter captains, fishing guides and first officers who provide services during their fishing experience.
Typically, customers will add between 15% and 20% gratuity to the price of the trip, depending on the quality of the service. Although not required, there is a certain label to show your appreciation. If you think the Captain or Guide didn't deserve to be appreciated, maybe just a 5% tip is justified; but we'll get into what is good service in a moment. Often, the tip you give goes directly to the first officer (if applicable).
In some cases, tipping is the only compensation a first officer receives, since they are mostly interns learning their trade. If you think both the Captain and the First Officer deserve a tip, you can offer cash to both. The Captain can still give all or part of his part to the First Officer, but the gesture is noticeable and appreciated. If you want to spend some quality time with your family and friends, consider booking a deep sea fishing charter trip.
So how much should you tip on a fishing charter? The answer to this question depends on your experience and the services you have received. Whether it's a fly fishing trip near Alaska, or, we'll partner you with a professional fishing guide or captain. If you've asked the captain for a specific fish in a specific area, and those fish don't bite, there's not much the captain can do. The truth is that tipping the crew of a fishing charter boat isn't so much about rewarding their performance as it is about showing your gratitude for their efforts.
In a group setting, anglers can split tips, but they help your fishing partner with advanced knowledge to prevent them from feeling embarrassed at the end of the fishing day. If you're similar to most people, the idea of tipping your fishing charter crew only crosses your mind after the trip is over.
