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Tipping a guide?
#12873440
08/22/18 10:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,999
lakeforkfisherman
OP
Elliptical Mechanic
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OP
Elliptical Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,999 |
A friend is taking his son out with a top rated guide on Fork soon and asked me what is a customary tip for a guide. I’ve never been out with a guide so I don’t really know what’s customary. Is it a percentage, flat $, driven by catch/experience, etc??
Thank you for your insight.
LET’S GO BRANDON!!!
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12873449
08/22/18 10:29 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 755
reinke
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 755 |
If you have a really good trip nothing wrong with a tip. I have been on trips with guys that mailed it in.
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12873455
08/22/18 10:38 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,581
GROD
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,581 |
Over the last few years I have been on 4-5 guide trips on lake fork (some well known and some not so much probably). I have been with some that took me to the exact same locations the previous guide took me to (community holes) and some that really seemed like they put some work in. Can’t make fish bite, but if you learn something on the trip and the guide goes out of their way to teach you, I feel they should be compensated with a tip. I tipped all the guides anywhere from 50-120 dollars. Funny thing is the one I tipped the most We only caught a couple of fish, but I learned a lot of different areas and techniques, and we had a fun trip.
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12873466
08/22/18 10:50 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 254
Stray Cat
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 254 |
A good friend of mine Jack W. went on a guided Fork trip a few years back. Told the guide his tip is based on catch and quality.
1-4# $2.00 each 5-6# $6.00 each 7-9# $10.00 each 10# + $100.00
He tipped the guide $ 60.00 the guide replied that he enjoyed the added challenge. Jack still shows the pic of the 7.5#er from that day.
Odd tipping method but I enjoyed hearing about his day...
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12873467
08/22/18 10:50 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 463
P_102
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 463 |
Guides set their rates based on no tip. If you feel a guide has gone ‘above and beyond’ what you expected then a tip is always welcomed. Your friend needs to determine what he expects out of the trip, whether it’s catching lots of fish, big fish, or instruction for his son, and then base any tip on that. BUT, he needs to give the guide an idea of his expectations for the trip so the guide can do the best job possible. P_102
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12873658
08/23/18 01:38 AM
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,562
Thad Rains
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,562 |
When I wS GUIDING, I MOSTLY got tips, except from tournament anglers, then no tips. It depends on what the guide does on the tri. One father son pair tipped me $500 because I put both of them on their biggest bass in their lives. Not been fishing but 6 or 7 years, but still 5 and 6 lbers out of Lake Lewisville is pretty tough. He was a doctor and I told him I couldn't take it, but he insisted that I do. Anything in between is acceptable. generally, it depends on how hard the guide works to get them onto fish. If he mails it in, a lower tip would be expected. If the guide is working hard to try to get his customers on fish, that deserves a tip, in my opinion, but what do I know. Hope this helps, amd as mentioned above, they do not base tehri pay on tips. But it IS nice to get one. Hope this helps. Tight lines, keepo safe and good luck.
Thad Rains
Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.
Thad Rains
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12873822
08/23/18 03:55 AM
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 104
Rducky
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 104 |
I was a guide on Fork for 10 years back in the late 80's and 90's and had a very good repeat client list. A person does not go Into the guide business to get rich, you have to love what you are doing. We were charging from $150.00 to $175.00 per day and a typical tip was from $25.00 to $50.00 per day.by the time u paid for a truck, boat, insurance, gas, oil, tackle and all that goes with fishing everyday u could just about pay ur bills and go out to eat a couple of times a week. We never expected a tip but always appreciated one. Most people did tip but some did not. Now that I'm in my 70's and go to a new lake I usually fish with a guide on the first day and I always tip,some more than others according to how hard they work for me.
Richard Duckworth
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12873829
08/23/18 04:05 AM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,502
Flooringit
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,502 |
I fished with a guide on fork not long ago. I didn’t tip. He fished in front of us entire time , people would call him ask how fishing was going they’d show up if we had caught a couple and I watched him throw cigarette butts in the lake as we fished. All community holes. I did catch a 7.5. But that was all me.
Last edited by Flooringit; 08/23/18 04:06 AM.
2013 Phoenix 920xp
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: Stray Cat]
#12873933
08/23/18 11:57 AM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,895
DBFishing83
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,895 |
Guides set their rates based on no tip. If you feel a guide has gone ‘above and beyond’ what you expected then a tip is always welcomed. Your friend needs to determine what he expects out of the trip, whether it’s catching lots of fish, big fish, or instruction for his son, and then base any tip on that. BUT, he needs to give the guide an idea of his expectations for the trip so the guide can do the best job possible. P_102 A good friend of mine Jack W. went on a guided Fork trip a few years back. Told the guide his tip is based on catch and quality.
1-4# $2.00 each 5-6# $6.00 each 7-9# $10.00 each 10# + $100.00
He tipped the guide $ 60.00 the guide replied that he enjoyed the added challenge. Jack still shows the pic of the 7.5#er from that day.
Odd tipping method but I enjoyed hearing about his day... I did these very things with a well known guide on FORK a couple of years back. I met with him the night before, I explained my expectations, I explained that I fished FORK a lot & I also discussed his fee, times to meet/fish and what I would do as far as tipping was concerned. To me, tipping is for EXTRA SERVICE or a better than average result and I stated that up front. the trip turned out quite well and the guide "earned" a really good tip. one thing I did tell him up front,,,,,, this was my fishing trip not his. He was to guide and not fish. worked really well. I enjoyed my trip, he earned his fee +++ the key is to teel your guide what you expect and what you want BEFORE you go out.
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12874117
08/23/18 02:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,736
InTheClear
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,736 |
Three day trip on Sugar Lake a few years back with a guide, multiple 10's, 9's, and too many 7's and 8's to count...I tipped him a full days pay and more, $600.00
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: GROD]
#12874136
08/23/18 02:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,339
forkduc
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,339 |
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12874206
08/23/18 03:24 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 518
White Oak Skeeter
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 518 |
I agree that it all goes back to the communication of expectations. Fished with a well known young guide about 10 years ago on Fork. Asked him to ignore me and help my wife. He stuck a spinning rod in her hand, put her on the back of the boat and didn't help her at all. He flipped bushes, caught 7 or 8 fish, I caught 4 or 5, my wife caught zip. I didn't want a guarantee of her catching fish, but I specifically asked him to help her. He ignored that expectation, but still tipped him $50.
I've fished with many guides, mainly on Fork, and most worked very hard to put us on fish, caught several 8 plus, 1-10(my friend and customer, not me), but 90% of them did an excellent job WORKING for their fee. If I learn, see a few new spots, catch some fish, but mainly, if the guide shows he is working for us, then I believe at least 20% is warranted.
I've also fished with some that 8-10 years ago worked very hard, but now seem to call it all in. I tip them on the last trip I will ever take with them!!
Those who expect big fish, or lots of fish, and base their tip and general demeanor on those expectations, better not EVER fish Fork, with or without a guide. I don't care if someone fishes Fork everyday, there will be low number days and the big girls, on Fork, are just too smart for most of us 365 days a year!!
I'd suggest you just make sure you hire guides that are highly recommended. They are usually the ones to hire, based on work ethic, knowledge, professionalism, and general effort. Guys like Niggemeyer, Mitchell, Pack, Caldemeyer, Allen, Margraves, etc. Not that others aren't good, I just may not know those guys. Far more info than you wanted I'm sure.
Oh yeah, went with James Biggs and Slade Daugherty both, didn't fish at all!!! Both outings were VERY much worth the money!!
Last edited by BWBForney; 08/23/18 03:25 PM.
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12874649
08/23/18 10:30 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,068
Brandon Potter
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,068 |
I went on a swimbait guide trip last spring, and it was a tough day. we fished 12 hours and I didn't catch a fish, but he worked his tail off. I tipped him with no hesitation.
2022 Skeeter ZXR21
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12875720
08/24/18 08:03 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 388
Amberlamps
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 388 |
We do a lot of guided tarpon fishing trips out of key west. Trips are usually 600 for 6hr and I always give him $100-120 because he works his butt off for us.
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12875725
08/24/18 08:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,561
Jeff From Iowa
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,561 |
I’ve paid 300 tip for a 150 trip 3x. The guide was that good. I had To repair his boat motor 2 of those times. He was way under charging. We caught walleye cat small mouth and pike. He called his shots. If we didn’t have a fish in 3-4 minutes we left the spot. He clearly did his homework. The only spots we left were for larger catfish. This was in South Dakota.
I’ve been with one bass guide and I tipped Him 200 for a 500 day. He makes weekly videos and I had Already learned enough from him prior to the trip. I only Scheduled the trip u repay him for such good video information and told him so. He basically pre fished for his and my upcoming tourney with me so we moved a lot and fished a little. This was on table rock.
If I didnt Tip so well I would hire a guide more often. Hmmmmm
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12875851
08/24/18 10:20 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,669
B-rader
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,669 |
What does your gut tell you? If you feel he did more than you expected , tip him , if not dont. Pretty simple
A-RIGS , MAKING BAD FISHERMAN LOOK GOOD SINCE 2010
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12875967
08/25/18 12:30 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,618
361V
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,618 |
Same as a waitress: what ever I want or fell good with. Not really interested in what others think I should tip.
Last edited by 361V; 08/25/18 03:39 AM.
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12876144
08/25/18 02:47 AM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 471
Reds Bass Guide on Sandlin
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 471 |
If a guide is trowing cigarette butts in the lake I'm not sure I would last the trip. Just can't stand it.
ShareLunker 3817 2019 Ranger Z520
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: 361V]
#12876281
08/25/18 12:05 PM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,895
DBFishing83
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,895 |
What does your gut tell you? If you feel he did more than you expected , tip him , if not dont. Pretty simple Same as a waitress: what ever I want or fell good with. Not really interested in what others think I should tip. There you go ,,,, it is one thing to pay a guides RATE for the day ,,,,, be it $350, be it $500. THEY set their rate based on what they think their time and ability is worth. Their FEE is not like a waitress' hourly pay or a cabbie's fare from the meter, those are determined by OTHERS. A guide's daily rate is set by him. TIPS are/should be based on service, performance & results (IMHO) give em' what they earn or base it on your feel good rate after the trip.
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: Jeff From Iowa]
#12876331
08/25/18 01:21 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,521
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,521 |
I’ve been with one bass guide and I tipped Him 200 for a 500 day. He makes weekly videos and I had Already learned enough from him prior to the trip. I only Scheduled the trip u repay him for such good video information and told him so. He basically pre fished for his and my upcoming tourney with me so we moved a lot and fished a little. This was on table rock.
I bet Eric really likes you!
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12876377
08/25/18 02:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,594
Fishspanker
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,594 |
15 to 20% if the effort is solid.
The Sheep who only fears the Wolf is eaten by the Shepherd.
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12876384
08/25/18 02:27 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,388
J.P. Greeson
the janitor
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the janitor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,388 |
I fished with a guide on fork not long ago. I didn’t tip. He fished in front of us entire time , people would call him ask how fishing was going they’d show up if we had caught a couple and I watched him throw cigarette butts in the lake as we fished. All community holes. I did catch a 7.5. But that was all me. Not to be a contrary, but when you are fishing out of someone else's boat on their spots, it's really mostly them when a fish is caught.
The solution to any problem - work, love, money, whatever - is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. --John Gierach
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#12876411
08/25/18 03:03 PM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,895
DBFishing83
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,895 |
I fished with a guide on fork not long ago. I didn’t tip. He fished in front of us entire time , people would call him ask how fishing was going they’d show up if we had caught a couple and I watched him throw cigarette butts in the lake as we fished. All community holes. I did catch a 7.5. But that was all me. Not to be a contrary, but when you are fishing out of someone else's boat on their spots, it's really mostly them when a fish is caught. JP ,,, not to be contrary,,,, BUT ,,,, you didn't read the post very well. He stated "ALL COMMUNITY HOLES" ,,,, that really doesn't qualify as someone else's spots.
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12876442
08/25/18 03:45 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,388
J.P. Greeson
the janitor
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the janitor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,388 |
I'll stand by my statement. If I'm fishing out of someone else's boat, at their spots, I figure I am catching their fish (unless we are both deciding where to fish). Even on community holes, approach angles can sometimes make or break the bite.
The solution to any problem - work, love, money, whatever - is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. --John Gierach
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12884383
09/01/18 11:39 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 160
olducker
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 160 |
I have to fish by myself so a guide fee for a day is all i can afford. I always hope a guide will realize a client not splitting the trip is already in pretty deep. Wouldn't he rather you come fishing than just feel priced out by addition of a tip?
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12884392
09/01/18 11:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,596
Smurfs
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,596 |
Oklahoma has the worst tippers and want to keep every fish caught!
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12884405
09/02/18 12:00 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 487
gatoreyes
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 487 |
I tip about 10%. If I ever caught a 10 pounder, I would probably give $100.
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12884407
09/02/18 12:04 AM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,602
ToasterWEyes
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,602 |
Smurfs....
It's only a good cast if you catch a fish... Personal Best: 11.62 lbs
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: Smurfs]
#12884418
09/02/18 12:28 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 254
Stray Cat
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 254 |
Oklahoma has the worst tippers and want to keep every fish caught! Oh Man
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: olducker]
#12884483
09/02/18 02:19 AM
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,561
Jeff From Iowa
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,561 |
I have to fish by myself so a guide fee for a day is all i can afford. I always hope a guide will realize a client not splitting the trip is already in pretty deep. Wouldn't he rather you come fishing than just feel priced out by addition of a tip? True, I am always by myself and did notice they allow two people..
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: olducker]
#12884489
09/02/18 02:25 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,521
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,521 |
I have to fish by myself so a guide fee for a day is all i can afford. I always hope a guide will realize a client not splitting the trip is already in pretty deep. Wouldn't he rather you come fishing than just feel priced out by addition of a tip? I'll answer that since I think I was your guide a couple times way back. Yes, a guide would always rather have a trip than not. As Richard mentioned a tip is not expected but always appreciated.
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12886437
09/04/18 07:34 AM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 256
jcombsiv
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 256 |
I take 4 or 5 trips a year. If the guide gives good service and I learn from them, they get s good tip. If I get hit with hidden fees that were not explained to me me ahead of time that eat away at the cash I brought with, not much I can do. But I always tip at least a little. Some guides deserve way more tips than others!
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12887026
09/04/18 07:43 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,411
Bass Junkie
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,411 |
I have tipped everytime except once. Guide was not feeling well and wasn’t engaged. Was getting short strikes so switched to smaller baits and finesse gear that I brought. Bad mouthed the brand of lure that I was using. Only thing good about the trip was when we got off of his boat.
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Re: Tipping a guide?
[Re: lakeforkfisherman]
#12887753
09/05/18 02:30 PM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 119
justfishin89
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 119 |
Guiding is a customer service deal, if you think you guide went above and beyond his rate throw him a tip.
Perfection is a moving target. USAF #TightlinesUV #Fishbomb #AmbushLureCo #SixGillFishingProducts #PHCustomLures https://tightlinesuv.com/?wpam_id=46 Follow me on YouTube and Instagram @JFOutdoor
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