Guest Etiquette and Gifts to Host

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Urika

New Member
I have been fortunate to have been invited to fish multiple times over the past season with a great friend

Knowing the costs for an outing; fuel, maintenance, moorage etc, he has never asked for anything

I gave him a set of a half dozen spoons and plugs for Christmas

I don't want to be a freeloader or perceived as taking advantage

What kind of monetary contribution could I make on each outing moving forward?
 
I like it when people bring at least a pack of bait. My boat is cheap to run so I don’t expect fuel money.
When I go with other guys on their boat, I generally pay for fuel for the day. but you buying some spoons and plugs is a nice gesture too.
 
I tell my friends that I'd like them to pay for the launch fee and then help me clean the boat afterwards. I've got the gear, and I'm gonna be fishing anyways! Nice to have help on the clean-up. Cuts the time to 1/3.
 
Your getting something that costs other people 800+ bucks to do if they book with a guide.

Paying for all the fuel is minimum if your not helping in the off season and season with all the labour items.

Helping with the clean up or prep is big.
 
I have a few regulars that I take out one at a time. They pay the ramp fee and buy their own bait. Other than that I don't expect or want anything. That way I don't feel like I "owe" any of my friends a trip. That's just me.
 
Urika said:
I have been fortunate to have been invited to fish multiple times over the past season with a great friend

Knowing the costs for an outing; fuel, maintenance, moorage etc, he has never asked for anything

I gave him a set of a half dozen spoons and plugs for Christmas

I don't want to be a freeloader or perceived as taking advantage

What kind of monetary contribution could I make on each outing moving forward?
Click to expand...

Don't make him ask. Offer to cover the fuel bill. I appreciate this offer from people, but will only accept half the fuel costs. Bring some beverages and snacks to share when you go as well... Goes a long way
 
I used to ask everyone to split the fuel. If it’s just a day trip in Vancouver, I’ve learned to appreciate the company of friends and just ask for them to bring snacks or beer.
If we’re talking about a trip to the west coast or Mexico or ???? We all split the costs equally
 
I think there is a difference with someone who invites you 1 time vs you being invited several times throughout the year or even on a more regular basis. If you are going more regularly I would suggest splitting the days cost(launch fees, cost of bait, gas consumed while on the water and any other fees which come into play). I know some people don't ask anything from their guests, but if you go a few times a year and get to experience what normally costs thousands of dollars for someone else to hire a charter a few times a year... I think the least you can do is split the days cost or go with him when he fills up the boat and put in $60-$100 bucks worth of gas every now and then... whatever you do, just do something.
 
I never ask for anything as some people are less well off then others. Like Kildonan I have my cleanup routine and it's just easier to do my self. But if you do offer cash, bring a lunch, pay for the launch, bring some bait, treat my gear and boat with respect you will be invited back. If you run the gear or are at least willing to learn to run it, you will be invited back. If you are not one of these people, I hope you enjoyed yourself because that will be the last time I ask you out.
 
casper5280 said:
I never ask for anything as some people are less well off then others. Like Kildonan I have my cleanup routine and it's just easier to do my self. But if you do offer cash, bring a lunch, pay for the launch, bring some bait, treat my gear and boat with respect you will be invited back. If you run the gear or are at least willing to learn to run it, you will be invited back. If you are not one of these people, I hope you enjoyed yourself because that will be the last time I ask you out.
Click to expand...

TOTALLY but you also shouldnt HAVE to ask your buddies to chip in ..should be a give in... I have the fuel and the bait and the gear I pay for the moorage and and insurance, if you show up and you take 100 bucks worth of fish& crab home (or more) and you dont give me something ....well you WILL not be asked again. I have one buddy when he shows up as soon as he walks on boat he has a envelope with a 50 buck bill he tosses on dash and he brings me lunch and snacks and other things , Trust me I dont need more useless gear I have plenty. We have just taken you out for a day some never get to experience, respect what the captain has done for you it takes alot of time to prep WAY before the end result its a privilege to go.

old saying I love "THIS BOAT RUNS ON GAS NOT FRIENDSHIP"
 
Other than family I typically only fish with guys who have boats at this point. So it's a reciprocal thing. Regardless, launch fee is an absolute minimum. Usually some bait or a $20 is involved also. Depends on the situation. If it's a short run halibut fishing I don't expect a lot. I have taken a pretty good friend fishing multiple times and after he takes his 50lbs of halibut home and about the third time I heard "I'll have to get you a gas card" I just don't take him fishing. He is still a friend I just don't fish with him. People don't understand with moorage and insurance you are out a couple grand without even starting your boat every year......
 
Exactly as Wolf states.

I have had the "buddies" who call when its hali season, want a trip or 2, get their freezer hali and leave. Those guys no longer go fishing in my boat, fishing is expensive, yes I am going anyway but its the principle. I have friends who willingly loose $200-$300 night in casino, same in a bar/concert/or meal out with spouse. Why would these same people not expect $100+ to enjoy a day out fishing? I would expect any friend to replace any gear he lost over and above any other $$$ donation. If your there just to get fish= go to superstore.

Many years ago I took out a buddy and his dad from back east. They wanted to jig, but his dad could not understand not allowing the jig to drag/snag bottom. At end of day jig tray was empty, his dad handed me $20 and said sorry. He lost $100+ worth of jigs. Following days I was busy=no more jig loosing days with his dad.

Enjoy the day in boat (success is a bonus), pay your way, replace lost gear, split the expenses, split the catch, stay around at end of trip to help, flush motors, wash, clean and pack fish. Do this and your definitely invited back.

HM
 
To me it is not about the money because I chose to buy the boat and I was going to go out anyways. Its not like you are towing someone else's kid around on a tube all afternoon at the lake and are burning up a bunch of fuel.

To me its more about being a good fishing partner.

I have a hard time finding buddies to come out on the boat. Most friends I know with out boats, their wife has the choke chain so tight they can’t even escape for 4 hours on the weekend.

And as soon as that boat hits the dock on the way back in they are gone like a rocket. Not a chance they are helping clean up because the warden needs them back.

Be a good friend, stand up to the warden.

p.s. If you are a total hack i.e. reeling fish in backwards, breaking gear, not following instructions, etc. you are probably not getting invited back anyways. I only get out x number of days a year, I am not running a kindergarten.
 
The fact that you have been invited multiple times speaks for itself. Your friend likely doesn't want anything in return. Anything you give him is a bonus. I say give, not offer. Many good points made here. Automatically pay for the launch, bring some snacks and refreshments and maybe tell him to stop bye the gas station on the way home on occasion. Nice gesture with the gifts, but like Wolf says, some of us don't really need more gear. Enjoy the next season and let us know how it goes.
 
During my local day boating trips I personally didn't expect anything from good fishing buddies as mentioned by others, I was going anyways. Never a problem but if they contributed it was at their insistence. Quite often they brought the lunch and beverages. Perfect and I was more than happy with that.
There was one fellow( acquaintance) in our group who I think was consistently a bit off and finally I chose to turf him rather continue on with his reluctance to equally pay up. Three years in succession on our annual trip to Bamfield in my truck, camper and boat he short changed me on his equal share of the expenses. Other buddies paid up without question as they "got it " but he consistently chose not to. When I politely challenged him his response was "I don't eat Clam chowder". Gone and no fishing with me for him.
 
I ask the guests to bring the food, drinks and I've got everything else. I really appreciate it when they offer to help back at the docks. Most times I cut them loose as I have my process and I am fine on my own but it does save me some time if I have hauled out and am flushing the engines so I don't have to climb in and out a bunch more times

I have one buddy who I fish with most of the time. He understands the investment we have in the boat and gear so he preemptively buys tackle and likes to deek past me to pay the fuel bill at least twice a season. He knows how much a charter is for the day and we are out at least a dozen times a season. He and I have a good system and it is always an awesome day.
 
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