I know this has been covered over and over and argued about before, but I cant find the threads. I have never hired a guide before, but I got one for my dad for his 80th birthday. I have had a lot of respect for this guy as a tournament angler and a guide for a very long time, and want to make sure I give him a good tip. What is the normal protocol on tipping??? It is tomorrow, I would appreciate some advice.

You’ll get a variety of opinions. I’m sure he’ll work hard for you - but he is getting paid well to work hard for you. We all work hard everyday and don’t get tipped… I’d probably tip 50 bucks…tipping is out of hand for a lot of jobs.

Thanks!

I tipped a walleye guide for taking me and my stepdad fishing. I think it was $350 for the 4 hours. My stepdad caught a lot of fish. I zeroed. We also rented a room at him and his wife’s hotel. I think I tipped them around $200 after the three nights in the room and the fishing trip bill was paid.

Zeroed?? Must have ordered the wrong bait.

Trust your gut. If you enjoy it and he works hard, pay what you think it’s worth.

Take into consideration how much gas he burns, how many baits yall lose, etc.

I think $50-$100 is fair for a good day, and $150-200 for an exceptional day.

I would also not base that opinion on how many fish or how big of
Fish you catch. I’ve only ever hired a guide to learn something, usually pretty specific things.

Make sure you pay for breakfast and lunch too while your at it.

$25.00 for 4 hour trip & $50.00 for full day if they put you on fish seems fair to me.

Guide rates today ensure they're not working or relying on tips to make a comfortable living.

$50 is fair. $100 if you smash them. Also pay for the meals and I throw in a little extra if I lost any lures.

Minimum $50 per person

This right here. I've tipped as high as $100 per person. But that Captain went above and beyond. We struggled the first 1.5 hours, then he found a walleye honeyhole and we made limit, then he took us smallmouth fishing.

Yes you’re going to get many “opinions”. In the end it your discretion. What do YOU want to tip? A fair wage should always be built into the price. What did they EARN “above and beyond? It’s really that simple. IMHO

Did the guide fish?

If the guide works hard and moves a lot to find the fish I tip $100-200. I guided for years on Fork. If the fish weren't biting on a spot I moved within 30 mins. We never sat on a spot without a bite for more than 30 mins.

If you feel like your guide is milking the spot and not moving because they don't want to burn the gas, all they get is the cheeseburger at lunch for a tip. This happened to me in Venice last fall.

If I catch a big one like the 12.80 with Wendell at Ivie I tip $1K for that day. Some guys may call Wendell old school but he stays on the move if we are not getting bit.

Few years back, in May-postspawn, I had a three day trip to Sugar Lake that included one day with a 48lb stringer best 5, flipping hardwoods. I tipped him a days pay afterwards, $500.00 total for the tip. Multiple DD's, 9's and 8's in the 3 days. Best Lake on the planet if you go with the right person.