Tipping Guides

  • Thread starter Thread starter phil
  • Start date Start date
quote:Originally posted by C.S.

I was a guide for years back in my young days before I figured out it wasted my summers fishing with chowders instead of the boys!The tips were great back then with all the big corporate groups from the states,I guess thats dryed up a bit?

Got a question for guys like Island fishlifter,Serengeti,Richmake and others with huge gas guzzling boats....
How the f*#k do you guys make dollar one after boat payments,fuel,maintenance,insurance,Bla,Bla,Bla

I see guys like Oli over in Uki,that got a fleet of G.W. that do double shifts (morn/afternoon fish)I can see those guys making a few bucks but a solo show???cant see it[?]

Dont get me wrong,you guys have very nice rigs.I just know what it cost to run my 19ft and cant compute making a living off guiding.

We have 2 boats...but make a decent enough wage off it. Plus it's not the only thing my Dad or I do so there is other income. Umm...the gas bill is around $200 a day on the guzzler, but ya always gotta encorporate that kinda thing into your price. Because the boat is nice the price is more expensive so it is all relative i guess.
 
My point was made !!!!then deleted it!!!!!


Wolf
 
But back to Phil "Hey guys, I am new to this site. I am wondering what the average tip that is given to a guide for a days fishing?"

Why does he want this information and where'd he go?
 
Nimo I am still here. Just taking it all in. It seems like the $$$ vary a bit but I have an idea now what is being handed out these days.
 
Thanks Phil, just wondering.

There's actually quite a variance depending on which outfit a guide is working for, whether he's owner / operator (may tend to make lower tips as the guests perceive them to make enough on the charter charges etc.) It also depends on where and type of charter. A drop-in client at Campbell River for 4 hours will tip differently than a three day fly-in. Corporate groups tip diff from private etc.

Concensus appears to be $100 per day is typical (usually 10 hour days.)

As for how does an individual guide make $$ at the game, it's a lifestyle choice. I think it's fair to say that the owner / operator loves fishing and would probably have the boat in the water regardless (although maybe not a 24' GW or $120,000 welded aluminum.) As such, fixed costs may not be as relevant to the business decision.

Nimo.
 
Most guys probably are not going to advertise their average tip on a public bulliten board. However;

I'll go as far to say that the vast majority of my clients tip me more then fairly, regardless of how many fish we catch. Typically, tips seem based on how hard I work, and making the day as fun as possible with the cards that we are dealt.
 
I get 100 min. per day on average throughout the season, it "helps" pay for fuel. As far as making money at it, yea, the moneys good providing I work every day of the season, no breakdowns and minimal gear loss. To make it worthwhile for me, I need to have 20 to 30g in my pocket after the season after my expenses and sending money home to the wife and kids every two weeks.
 
Its also important to add that I do all my own maintenance work. I dont know how people can afford to pay a shop 90$/ hr everytime they need a spark plug or whatever.
 
quote:Originally posted by Island Fish Lifter

Its also important to add that I do all my own maintenance work. I dont know how people can afford to pay a shop 90$/ hr everytime they need a spark plug or whatever.

Take care of the boat (wash it down after every day, make sure you clean up when you are out on the water asap, etc) and you shouldn't have to take it in for maintenance too often other than the 100hr services...
 
It looks like that just about sums it up. $30k for the operation, $30K to the wife and kids, and $30k in the jeans. 90 - 100 days = $90 to $100K gross for the season. You can take that to the bank Phil;)
 
quote:Originally posted by Nimo

It looks like that just about sums it up. $30k for the operation, $30K to the wife and kids, and $30k in the jeans. 90 - 100 days = $90 to $100K gross for the season. You can take that to the bank Phil;)
Sorry, to answer the question, I guess that may or may not include the $8,000 - $10,000 in tips for the typical season.[:I] Why did I stop guiding soo many years ago?
 
Back
Top