10-20% if it was a good trip and the guide was helpful and professional.<br /><br />5-10% if not a good day, but not the guide's fault.<br /><br />Zilch if it was a bad day because the guide was incompetent, rude or simply the guy with the boat.
Yep, what JB said! Also, if its a big lake and you want to go fast everywhere you go tip accordingly. It will be nothing for the guide to burn anywhere from 10-20 gallons of fuel for the day! I rely on tips to pay for my fuel costs. I have been tipped as much as $100.00 with two people in the boat for a day!
I spent a day with a muskie guide last weekend. I knew out of the gate, there are indeed times his clients don't catch anything but I was more interested in learning techniques to lessen my learning curve and considered a fish or two would be a bonus. We fished in the peak of a coldfront and didn't boat any fish but all in all it was a very positive experience as he shared a lot of his knowledge with me. Although he committed to giving me 8 hours on the water, he ended up giving me an extra 2 hrs. I brought lunch plus gave him a $25 tip.
I have been very fortunate and have never been skunked, but you are right about the learning. I dont figure I did a very good job unless I was able to teach the client something new! Sometimes, just how to correctly hold the rod is something new.
Looking forward to the trip. If I can improve my results with all the time I spend on the water I'll consider it a success. Heck, if I learn how to tie a good knot for leader line it will make me happy
