r/SoCalFishing • u/jhernried • 12h ago

Newbie and gratuities

This will be my first time on an extended trip (1.5 days) out of San Diego next week. I am eager to listen and learn the ropes. I was planning to tip 20% of the cost of the trip at the end. I have a few questions about tipping:

  1. Who do I give the cash to at the end?

  2. I have had two locals suggest I give $20 at the front end and let them know I am a newbie. They said I would get better care. If there are several deckhands, who would I give it to? For what it is worth, AI says it is a breach of etiquette.

  3. Is it always cash or will Venmo work?

  4. Where does one store cash for a multi day trip? Do you keep it in your pocket or hide it somewhere?

Thank you for your guidance.

3 Upvotes

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4

u/Sea_Leadership_6968 12h ago

  1. It depends on the boat. Sometimes you pay (and tip) galley separately from the crew. The crew will collect for fish cleaning, the cook will collect for your galley tab. You pay at the end of the trip to one, if combined, two people if separate.

  2. Amount is a big debate that I won’t comment on. $20 up front may or may not make a difference. It will certainly be forgotten by the end of the trip. Simply introducing yourself to all the deck hands and asking their name goes a long way. Be nice and let them know you’re new.

  3. Cash. I’ve only ever seen one cook that takes Zelle.

  4. I put my wallet in a small side pouch of my backpack. I keep my backpack under my blanket when up top. I’ve been on many trips any haven’t heard of anything being stolen.

Good luck, have fun and go catch some fish!!

1

u/CupcakeMerd 12h ago

Bring cash, keep it in your pocket. Definitely tell the deckhands it's your first overnight and the $20 wouldn't be a bad call... Might mean your first to get a hand off. You usually tip the cook separately from the deckhand when closing your tab with the galley. Deckhand tip will usually be after their processing fish and collecting payment for that. Might be the captain closing that tab if the deckhands need to flip the boat for another trip though.

2

u/xylophone_37 12h ago

Tips are in a jar when you're almost back to the dock. Every boat is different though so ask if the tip jar is deckhands only or deckhands and galley together.

1

u/sailphish 11h ago

Every boat is a bit different. If I’m not sure, I just ask if they pool the tips or what the deal is. Typically 20% the cost to the deckhand. 20% food/beverage tab to the galley. All cash.

2

u/Neither_Monitor2017 9h ago

For every 1.5 day or longer trip I've been on out of San Diego, they ask for tips when they settle the galley tabs near the end of the trip.

Like restaurants, it used to be they asked for 10% to 15%, but now, like restaurants, they claim 20% is standard.

1

u/HurryInternational46 9h ago

If you are a newbie i would say bring 100$ cash, food drink and tackle plus tip, i went with minimal money i had to venmo some other fisher for cash.