What do you think is a reasonable way or formula to share fishing trip expenses with co-anglers? The first trip is always on me but after that it starts getting expensive.

hard to say when you dont know how much fuel is gunna be used while on lake...sometimes i fill her up and only use 1/4 tank...i guess thats a good thing, found the fish quicker than i thought...most of the time when we go to my lakehouse at fork and use my boat...they drive me down there and pay for all my food...kinda even things out a little...i wont be too picky though...it will drive u crazy if u do

We do not fish tournaments at all, just stripers & hybrids. My guests help out with fuel, food and expenses when I take my boat, we fish weekly all year long. Never had any problems with that.

It is easy if you keep a expense sheet on the dash board of the truck. If you are going in your rig start the trip with the boat full of fuel and the truck full of fuel. You will bring it home the same way.

On the sheet I have my name on one side and partners name on the other. We try to keep my expenses and his expenses even through out the trip. If I spend $100 on gas, I record it on my side. He will then spend $100 on whatever comes up, (food, gas or motel).

At the end of the trip we add up each collum.
If I spent $100 more than he did, then he owes me $50, and we are even.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE
I run a fishing business and take all the deductions I can get so to make the trip easy; I pay for everything and record all expenses on the expense sheet. At the end of the trip he can pay his half by check or cash.

if i invite someone to go fishing it's on me...they can pitch in if/where they choose...if they ask me to take them or suggest it...then they will pay...if they share cost when i take them then i'll share with them, if they bum trips and never pitch in then i won't either...

Great points fellas! That's what I was looking for with the question. As several anglers and most co-anglers know, owning a boat is an outrageous expense these days. Then when considered that the boat owner typically has 2 hours of prep time before the trip and 2 more hours post clean up time after the trip. I do think that splitting the fuel, fees, and other expenses 50/50 is perfect. I also like the idea of the co-angler supplying the drinks/food & ice which takes a big responsibility and time consuming factor off the boater. Im a big believer that the most important thing more than splitting expenses is respecting the boaters equipment. No matter what shape his boat is in help keep it clean. Make sure your shoes are clean, bring an extra trash bag, extra rag, bring bottle drinks instead of cans. All the little things help and boaters respect this. Thanks for the thoughts and ideas! I just want to build a better experience for all fisherman whether the boater or non boater.

ok if they are plastic, big no no to bring glass to the lake.
I prefer cans, can be crushed and put back in the cooler.

I always eat the expense figure I was going that way any way! I love asking bankers to just get in the boat. no charge. It is such a blessing. Especially if we are cooking a shore lunch that's always an open invite for any bankers to join in as long as the fish last. Or if I am in a hurry I ask the bankers if they want my catch. That's always pretty cool also. Even the yak I carry the extra seat paddle, and life jackets. Just in case they want to try a paddling adventure. That's just me: >I don't expect that when I am banking it. Having second thoughts about posting that too LOL

I'll take a non boater with me free on 1st trip. If I took you on 2nd trip and you don't offer to help with gas for the truck you won't be invited anymore. You have to respect my boat and not walk on the seats or make a mess. After the trip and you don't thank me for taking you. Most definitely you won't be going with me anymore. This happened to me two times. I prefer to go by myself and less stress to worry about. I'm pretty generous but don't take advantage of me. My two cents.

Yes indeed-no glass only plastic. The reason I only allow plastic bottles is because I learned the hard way several years ago. Had a guy bring a red soda in the can that spilled all over the new carpet. That was really the end to cans in the boat! Not his fault because I took off without checking. Thanks for the responses. Keep'em coming, I've seen some great ideas.

None of my fishing buddies held a gun to my head to make me buy my big bass boat and truck, so why should I expect them to do any more than split the fuel costs? If I go fishing by myself I have to pay for everything.

Having a partner along makes it a little easier financially, but I certainly don't expect him to buy my meals and pay for wear and tear on the equipment.

If you have no expectations you won't be disappointed!

i fill up boat and truck before we leave .we split cost on everything and bring boat and truck back full.

If fishing tournaments you need to figure wear and tear. If it's his boat, offer to pull it with your truck. If it's his boat and truck figure that as 3rd person when you split winnings. You'll take 1/3 he'll get 2/3.

Fun fishing, offer to pitch in. Unless they fish all the time it's costing about $100 per fishing trip for them to own a boat plus fuel. Keep the boater happy and you'll be the guy getting calls for the really cool trips (falcon, texoma,tawakoni)

Awesome ideas! I really enjoy hearing all the thoughts and ideas on how to handle this matter. Any more great ones???? Keep'em coming!

Got really tired of pre fishing for all those tournaments then my partner reaping the benifits of the pay check.

None of them could ever go because of work. I could never keep a partner anyway; just hard to come by, finding a partner that can go every time as needed.

After about the second one this was the deal. Here are the receipts for all the pre fishing. Let's say two pre prefishing trips cost $1,000 to get ready for the tournament. If we won $2,000 I got my money back before the split. Leaving him with $500. You can see why the rest of my partners didn't last long.

OH. and don't forget to add in the $25 for that gallon of oil on a 3 day trip.