Just curious.....what is an appropriate amount to tip a fishing guide?

Not sure there is a 'standard' but I always start at 20% of the base price of the trip. I guide hunts and while we never ask for gratuity most people are between 18-25% of the base fee.

I tip on "unsuccessful" outings too which is sometimes at the contempt of others. Thinking a guide has any control over a living creature is short sided.

20% is a good place to start. I base my tip on the attitude and effort of the guide more than anything else. If the guide makes an attempt at catching fish then I tip well. No effort equals lower tip. The exception is deck hands. I always tip deck hand well and I do it at the beginning of the trip. They usually don’t make a lot of money and they are usually very appreciative of the tip.

I haven’t been on any “guided” trips in a bit. What’s the average rate for a day of guided,

Bass fishing?

Crappie fishing?

Catfishing?

Bay fishing?

Why’s the basis of a tip? Above and beyond in what areas?

The last time I checked on catfishing at TWok, rates were 500 + -

Wait, What?

You mean there's people that'll pay $500 bucks to be put on some catfish?

Five hundred dollars to get escorted around..... For catfish....

Half day trips are around $300 to $450 for striper and catfish. Full day rates from $500 to $650 for trophy catfish. Everything is going up.

My rates for a crappie fishing trip in DFW is 250 for one and 350 for two people for a half day with all bait/tackle and your fish cleaned and bagged at the end of the trip.
My website is in my bio below

To me, a tip is when you are extra satisfied with your experience. For example, You go out to a restaurant and the staff was super friendly, the food was perfect and to your specifications, you enjoyed the environment, you are much more likely to tip I would think. If the experience was bad, you would not want to tip

Wait, What. You pay a set fee to go fish for the day and tip the guide. You paid a set price for the fishing trip. And if your bass fishing your paying for the guide to front end you all day. I think tip not. Expecting a tip has got out of hand. If the guide wants more money charge more.

100% an old with ed

Tipped deckhands, never a guide.

I’m a tipper but a tip is always the prerogative of the customer. ALWAYS! IF it is not an extra/optional “bonus” and is considered a mandatory “fee” then it should have been in the price of the product or service to start with. The answer to the age old question of “how much to tip” will always be: “how much YOU want to tip”? Follow your heart and tip accordingly.

I have a good friend who is a dentist. He uses a guide to take his family fishing about 4 times a year rather than pay a boat note all year. He takes his kids and tells the guide up front he is getting a $100 tip but he will lose $20 every time he is heard cussing in front of my friends kids or wife.

If it’s his boat no tip. If he is not smart enough to price accordingly oh well

I agree, and a tip should be for labor above and beyond, such as him cleaning a pile of fish and how much he's sweating.

I captained out of port A every summer years ago, mostly kingfish trips off my 26 foot center console. I was usually very fortunate on getting my customers nice fish. Back then my trips were usually around 4 hours and $400. Gas was cheap and my Yamahas were great on using fuel. I think 10% is usually fine and 20% extremely generous. Today I would say $50 is nice, especially if you fish with the guide often and you book him for his slower weekdays. Being able to go with short notice is also great. Nothing like being loaded up and waiting to go and they no show 🤬