How Much to Tip a Fishing Charter: A Captain's Answer

Tip about 20% of the charter price. That is what DirtyBoat suggests, and it is a fair number for a good day on the water. Everything below shows how that math works on our actual trips, so you can decide before you ever step aboard.

Why 20%

You hired a boat and a captain, you said what you wanted to catch, and the day was spent chasing it. The tip is where you say the trip was worth the money. It is a suggestion, not a rule. If the day went well, 20% is right. If you think it was worth more, the number is yours to pick.

Examples on our trips

Every price below includes fuel, so the tip math is one multiplication: 20% of what you paid.

• Half Day Charter, 4 hours, $1,400 including fuel: tip about $280.
• 3/4 Day Charter, 6 hours, $2,000 including fuel: tip about $400.
• Full Day Offshore, 8 hours, $2,400 including fuel: tip about $480.
• Swordfish Hunt, 10 hours, $3,200 including fuel: tip about $640.

A private charter is one price for your whole party, so the tip comes out of that one number no matter how many of you came along. You can compare the lengths and pick yours on the private charters page.

Split charters, per person

Split trips are priced per person, so the same percentage works per person.

• Split Charter (6 Hour), $525 per person including fuel: tip about $105 per person.
• Split Charter (8 Hour), $625 per person including fuel: tip about $125 per person.

Each angler decides their own tip. Nobody on the boat keeps score and nobody is going to ask. If you want a seat on the next run, the split charters page has the schedule and the price.

When the fishing is slow

Some days the fish simply do not show up. The Stream moves, fronts come through, and even a good plan comes back light now and then. A slow day is not a reason to skip the tip and not a reason to overthink one. If everyone worked hard and you got your money’s worth in seat time, 20% is still the right starting point even if the cooler stayed light.

If you are unsure, tip 20%. That is the short answer.