4 of us are going sailfishing out of Los Suenos, Costa Rica and we have not been there before. It is a full day trip and wondering if I could get some suggestions for a fair tip in that market assuming excellent service.
Last time I fished out of Quepos, we tipped the mate 20% of the charter fare…in 2002 we paid about $500 for each day-total of three days. After the first day, that mate busted his tail…the captain said most gringos didn’t tip and was much appreciative of how we took care of the guy who worked the cockpit.
“Never argue with an idiot…he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.”
10-30% depending on how hard the deck hand and captains work and if they put us on fish. If they put us on a fish of a lifetime I get up to if not over the 30% mark. If I am at a all inclusive or get lunches catered I always bring stuff for the crew as well. A to go plate with a hot breakfast goes a long way when you meet the crew for the first time.
Grady White 258 WA
“Just for the Halibut”
I will also add that it is fishing and there are simply days where you don’t catch much. You can tell a crew that works hard to change things up to get on fish but sometimes nothing works and the fish are just not biting. I will still leave a nice tip if the deck hand busted his ass trying to get something to work…just my 2 cents.
Grady White 258 WA
“Just for the Halibut”
quote:Thanks, that is in line with what I was thinking.
Originally posted by Grady Bunch10-30% depending on how hard the deck hand and captains work and if they put us on fish. If they put us on a fish of a lifetime I get up to if not over the 30% mark. If I am at a all inclusive or get lunches catered I always bring stuff for the crew as well. A to go plate with a hot breakfast goes a long way when you meet the crew for the first time.
Grady White 258 WA
“Just for the Halibut”
quote:Thanks for the response, 20% on average sounds about right for excellent service and more if they do special things.
Originally posted by WolakrabLast time I fished out of Quepos, we tipped the mate 20% of the charter fare…in 2002 we paid about $500 for each day-total of three days. After the first day, that mate busted his tail…the captain said most gringos didn’t tip and was much appreciative of how we took care of the guy who worked the cockpit.
“Never argue with an idiot…he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.”
Charter Prices have gone up a bit:smiley:. $2,400 for a full day in a 42’ boat out of Los Suenos.
I generally tip well if they are nice and do a good job no matter the outcome. I’ve only had one “problem charter where I didn’t tip.
Wow, I’d never pay that much to fish in CR. I’ve been there three times and granted this was a while ago, but we just walked the docks looking for boats that weren’t booked the next day and paid closer to the $500 range per day. We even fished one of those Pangas that was pulled up on the beach for a couple hours and he put us on two trophy sailfish.
Los Suenos is where the high dollar boats dock and if you want to fish another day, you can definitely find cheaper alternatives and most of these are in Quepos.
quote:Thanks, that is good advice and we may try that to get in some extra fishing.
Originally posted by jtmWow, I’d never pay that much to fish in CR. I’ve been there three times and granted this was a while ago, but we just walked the docks looking for boats that weren’t booked the next day and paid closer to the $500 range per day. We even fished one of those Pangas that was pulled up on the beach for a couple hours and he put us on two trophy sailfish.
Los Suenos is where the high dollar boats dock and if you want to fish another day, you can definitely find cheaper alternatives and most of these are in Quepos.
I know Las Suenos is top $ but we are splitting it 4 ways and have two references that we personally know have had excellent fishing success with this Captain. All I want is one sailfish on a fly rod.
quote:Same here, the only one I never tipped was a bass fishing guide about 15 years ago in TX. My son was about 12 and I took him with a guide to a great bass lake for his birthday . F’n guide caught all the (**() fish but 2, son and I each caught one and it was not our first guided fishing trip. Guy was a dik too.
Originally posted by staystrappedI generally tip well if they are nice and do a good job no matter the outcome. I’ve only had one “problem charter where I didn’t tip.
quote:
Originally posted by Beavertailquote:Thanks for the response, 20% on average sounds about right for excellent service and more if they do special things.
Originally posted by WolakrabLast time I fished out of Quepos, we tipped the mate 20% of the charter fare…in 2002 we paid about $500 for each day-total of three days. After the first day, that mate busted his tail…the captain said most gringos didn’t tip and was much appreciative of how we took care of the guy who worked the cockpit.
“Never argue with an idiot…he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.”
Charter Prices have gone up a bit:smiley:. $2,400 for a full day in a 42’ boat out of Los Suenos.
[:0]
Los Suenos has always been more pricey. We fished on an old 28’ Grady White that had been refitted with a single inboard diesel…not fancy, but it worked fine for 3 fishermen. Back then, Quepos hadn’t been discovered yet…it was rustic, quaint, and absolutely beautiful. It’s nothing like that now. I am sure the charters have tripled or quadrupled since 2002.
Los Suenos caters to the millionaire crowd…and what it costs there now reflects this.
Have fun!!
“Never argue with an idiot…he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.”
quote:
Originally posted by Beavertailquote:Same here, the only one I never tipped was a bass fishing guide about 15 years ago in TX. My son was about 12 and I took him with a guide to a great bass lake for his birthday . F’n guide caught all the (**() fish but 2, son and I each caught one and it was not our first guided fishing trip. Guy was a dik too.
Originally posted by staystrappedI generally tip well if they are nice and do a good job no matter the outcome. I’ve only had one “problem charter where I didn’t tip.
I hired one of the supposedly best backcountry guides in islamorada. He anchored out in the channel and put live mullet on the bottom then he proceeded to hang his arse over the side of the 16 foot back country and poop! I wouldn’t have cared but I had my new bride with me it was our honeymoon!
quote:Oh Lordy, that has to be the worst charter story I have heard.
Originally posted by staystrappedquote:
Originally posted by Beavertailquote:Same here, the only one I never tipped was a bass fishing guide about 15 years ago in TX. My son was about 12 and I took him with a guide to a great bass lake for his birthday . F’n guide caught all the (**() fish but 2, son and I each caught one and it was not our first guided fishing trip. Guy was a dik too.
Originally posted by staystrappedI generally tip well if they are nice and do a good job no matter the outcome. I’ve only had one “problem charter where I didn’t tip.
I hired one of the supposedly best backcountry guides in islamorada. He anchored out in the channel and put live mullet on the bottom then he proceeded to hang his arse over the side of the 16 foot back country and poop! I wouldn’t have cared but I had my new bride with me it was our honeymoon!
quote:
Originally posted by Beavertailquote:Oh Lordy, that has to be the worst charter story I have heard.
Originally posted by staystrappedquote:
Originally posted by Beavertailquote:Same here, the only one I never tipped was a bass fishing guide about 15 years ago in TX. My son was about 12 and I took him with a guide to a great bass lake for his birthday . F’n guide caught all the (**() fish but 2, son and I each caught one and it was not our first guided fishing trip. Guy was a dik too.
Originally posted by staystrappedI generally tip well if they are nice and do a good job no matter the outcome. I’ve only had one “problem charter where I didn’t tip.
I hired one of the supposedly best backcountry guides in islamorada. He anchored out in the channel and put live mullet on the bottom then he proceeded to hang his arse over the side of the 16 foot back country and poop! I wouldn’t have cared but I had my new bride with me it was our honeymoon!
Good Grief, that’s not even worth the fee, let alone a tip!!
Hope he was downwind[:0]!
NN
quote:
Originally posted by Beavertailquote:Thanks, that is good advice and we may try that to get in some extra fishing.
Originally posted by jtmWow, I’d never pay that much to fish in CR. I’ve been there three times and granted this was a while ago, but we just walked the docks looking for boats that weren’t booked the next day and paid closer to the $500 range per day. We even fished one of those Pangas that was pulled up on the beach for a couple hours and he put us on two trophy sailfish.
Los Suenos is where the high dollar boats dock and if you want to fish another day, you can definitely find cheaper alternatives and most of these are in Quepos.
I know Las Suenos is top $ but we are splitting it 4 ways and have two references that we personally know have had excellent fishing success with this Captain. All I want is one sailfish on a fly rod.
If you have a lazy day and want to chill and then fish a couple hours, those pangas on the beach in Jaco are worth a look. You’ll also see ads in bars/restaurants where locals will take you fishing on their personal boats. Also, walk the docks and see who hasn’t left the dock for the day. These guys rely on tourism and often times they take you out for 3-4 hrs for not much money and we had a good time on these trips and caught trophy sailfish.
I wouldn’t go all the way to CR and only fish with the type of guys I mentioned above, but this is great if you want to squeeze in another day or two fishing and not spend much money.
I’ll never forgot that short trip we took in the panga off the beach in Jaco. Boat and equipment was sket
Keep in mind, not all panga experiences are the same. Thought I was going Rooster fishing, but in reality they just wanted to hand-line Pargos they could sell, and I was paying for their gas.
Launching from the beach in Esterillos into chest high surf is an experience though…
“I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations,neither are you here to live up to mine” Peter Tosh - I Am That I Am
20% is much appreciated. I always do everything I can to 1. Keep everyone safe and as comfortable as possible. 2. Give them the most respectable and hospitable service possible and 3. Catch fish. I have done all that, loaded the boat with good fish, cleaned and packaged the catch, even given them extra time fishing and got zero. It is a service industry and folks depend on tips.
Olde Man Charters
843-478-1538
Oldemancharters@gmail.com
286 Seafox/Twin 300’s
A good trick to play on a charter Captain is to leave a little poo on the floor of the head. When they get to cleanup later in the day, it usually gives them a good laugh!!! I like to mark up the walls and a little on the ceiling. That way they are left wondering what happened!!!
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejA good trick to play on a charter Captain is to leave a little poo on the floor of the head. When they get to cleanup later in the day, it usually gives them a good laugh!!! I like to mark up the walls and a little on the ceiling. That way they are left wondering what happened!!!
It happens!
Olde Man Charters
843-478-1538
Oldemancharters@gmail.com
286 Seafox/Twin 300’s