How much $ is ENOUGH?

[flying wasp]

DISCLAIMER:
First off, this thread is in NO WAY a dig on any of my co-anglers that I have fished with. Some guys know who I am and I am NOT trying to start an argument or take out frustration on someone for  being burned in the past. This has been and (I think) always will be an issue with some people.

Don't want to side step the bigger and better topics on this board (like exaggerating the size of the fish you caught) but with the tough times that are among us, how much is expected from a Co-Angler for fishing with a boater?

I'm sure we have all second guessed the amount of money we gave a boater for the time on the water, just as much as the boaters cannot expect $200 each outing for all incurred costs, but how much is acceptable/insulting?

I have a list of questions that I am curious to see how they will be answered by boaters/non-boaters. If you do answer them please copy and paste the questions with your answers next to the questions and specify if you are a boater or Non boater. If you have a question/s that you want to see answered, please add.

Boater Questions-(understand that the answers may change depending if its tournament or practice)

1. Do you have a set amount that you expect to be paid (some clubs have a minimum)?

2. Do you expect the amount to change depending on location of the tournament?

3. Do you expect the amount to increase if the co angler wins the co side or lunker?

4. Do you expect the amount to increase if you have to run a good bit for fish?

5. If you have a mechanical failure that limits you to running, should there just be a minimum amount for truck fuel/tolls?

Co-Angler questions-

1. Do you have a set amount that you expect to pay (some clubs have a minimum)?

2. Should you pay more depending on location of the tournament?

3. If your boater gets you on fish does that change the amount that you give?

4. If your boater runs all day but you both come in with NO fish, does that change the amount?

5. If your boater wins the tourney/ lunker or both, Do you think you should still pay the minimum?

6. If your boater "back boats" you all day in a tourney, does that influence what you would pay over the minimum?

7. If the boater was out practicing for a tourney (basically for you and him to get on fish), do you consider that in your thoughts for payment?

8. When reimbursing the boater, do you consider tolls, truck fuel, boat fuel, oil?


As a co-angler, you may consider the tough economy and rationalize a fair amount in your mind. Also, many of the questions above and underlying factors may come to part of the rationalization. With that said, being a non boater is A LOT less expensive than always being a boater. This applies to boat owners who go as non boaters too.

Let the games begin...

[coldfront]

I try to cover half the cost of getting to/from the tournament.  if there are tolls, that's included.

I believe I would have issue with being asked to cover half the cost of fuel used by the boat, unless I got to make half the decisions on where to fish.  But some boat fuel costs are valid.

if I don't have the money to pay for those things, I don't sign up for the tournament.


after a while, all those $$ really add up.

now, your question about 'should a co pay more if he wins'...the answer there is 'would the boater have split his pot at some level with the co in event of a win'?  if the answer is no on the boater side, the answer is no on the co side.

seems that ought to be a conversation had before heading to the lake.

[Creel Limit Zero]

Boater Questions-(understand that the answers may change depending if its tournament or practice)

1. Do you have a set amount that you expect to be paid (some clubs have a minimum)?
  $40, this is what our Club does but I expect the same when entering in a Tournament.
2. Do you expect the amount to change depending on location of the tournament?
  No - Whether the ramp is 10 miles away or 150 miles away, if I get the same $40 per tournament I will be better off on short trips and worse off on the far trips.  Standard $40 seems fair, as it is not the Rider's fault or problem how far I have to travel to get there, just that $40 is a good and fair number. 
3. Do you expect the amount to increase if the co angler wins the co side or lunker?
  Absolutely not, I hope that they get on them and celebrate when they do.  I certainly do not expect them to give me extra if they win just as I do not expect to pay them if we do not get on fish.

4. Do you expect the amount to increase if you have to run a good bit for fish?
  No, my choice to go far from the ramp.  Sort of just like the distance to the ramp, not the rider's fault.  If I get the same (reasonably fair) $40 each time out I am going to fair well sometimes out and burn some money other times.

5. If you have a mechanical failure that limits you to running, should there just be a minimum amount for truck fuel/tolls?
  If I have mechanical troubles I do not take gas money.  Only happened twice over the years, hopefully never again.  Both times I was offered money but I turned it down.  Just did not seem fair to me...

[Mike Cork]

I'm the odd ball in all this. I figure I'm fishing the tournament anyway so I don't really expect the co or non boater to pay anything. Unless it's a tournament where the co angler or non boater gets half the fishing time then I ask for an even split of the days expenses for the boat, unless we drove to the lake in the same vehicle.

[Jared LeBlue]

I'm the odd ball in all this. I figure I'm fishing the tournament anyway so I don't really expect the co or non boater to pay anything. Unless it's a tournament where the co angler or non boater gets half the fishing time then I ask for an even split of the days expenses for the boat, unless we drove to the lake in the same vehicle.

I'm the same way. The way I figure it I'm gonna fish this tournament with or without someone in my boat so I don't ask for anything. Now with that being said I do think it shows a lot of character for a co angler to at least offer to pay something.

[Nitroman1]

Boater Questions-(understand that the answers may change depending if its tournament or practice)

1. Do you have a set amount that you expect to be paid (some clubs have a minimum)?

Yes, $20 if the tx is close to home & I don't do much running, and there is no launch fee.

2. Do you expect the amount to change depending on location of the tournament?

Absolutely, epescially if my co-angler rides with me to the launch site.

3. Do you expect the amount to increase if the co angler wins the co side or lunker?

No.

4. Do you expect the amount to increase if you have to run a good bit for fish?

Yes, but this should be discussed prior to the start.

5. If you have a mechanical failure that limits you to running, should there just be a minimum amount for truck fuel/tolls?

Sure. Amount would depend on location.

[clarker2000]

I'm the odd ball in all this. I figure I'm fishing the tournament anyway so I don't really expect the co or non boater to pay anything. Unless it's a tournament where the co angler or non boater gets half the fishing time then I ask for an even split of the days expenses for the boat, unless we drove to the lake in the same vehicle.

Im with you on this Mike.  My motto is dont expect anything or expect less.  If you get something regarless of how small, thats better then zero.  I dont dissagree with what any of you are saying but for some reason with anything, if Im expecting more I generally get less, so I go with the expect less to start things out.  It is always nice though when you have a stand up guy offer to help with gas, tolls, launch fees etc...  To me its just courtesy and common sense.  Bass fishing isnt cheap, thats for certain!

[NateG]

I fish tournaments as both a boater and non-boater, but look at things the same way regardless.  I know a lot of guys that say the non-boater should throw in money for truck gas, boat gas, practice days, oil, insurance, yadda, yadda, yadda,yadda.....

I feel that the only thing the rider should be responsible for is some money for boat gas if you go to a spot YOU did not plan to fish. You, as a boater, would still be fishing in that tournament whether he was in the back of your boat or not. You're likely going to YOUR fish, using YOUR technique, and making YOUR decisions. Unless you are going to let him fish from the front of your boat, where he wants to go, and have first shot at all the best targets, I think you need to man up and accept the cost.  If you don't like the cost of being a boater, be a rider.

As a boater, I'd never ask my rider to give me a penny.  If he wouldn't offer anything, did he make my trip more expensive? Probably not.  Usually a rider will ask you what you'd like for the day, in that case I will answer his question based on the kind of day we had.  If I don't put him on fish, I will refuse any payment.  If we get on them, I simply ask what the day was worth to him. Again, I'd be fine with nothing but it's usually about 30-50 dollars, which is 30-50 dollars that I wouldn't have had if I was fishing the tournament alone. 

As a rider, I will always offer truck gas if I ride with to the lake.  I offer to bring ice for the cooler/fish, and will ask if the boater would like me to bring anything for the day.  I ask how much gear to bring, as well as anything I might need for the day.  If I don't need it, I'm not bringing it.  I am pretty good with math, and can easily figure out how much he spent running and gunning throughout the day, so when the time comes, I usually take my estimated figure, and add $10.  I ask if this is enough for him, and usually the guy accepts it, or even gives some back. I definately make sure to  be as helpful/respectful as possible throughout the day, greet the guy in the am, and thank him afterwards.  Offer to load/unload the boat or back the trailer.  All of this little stuff seems to lower the amount of money that a guy will take at the end of the day. 

General rule of thumb- Whether boater or co-angler; take care of the guy you're fishing with, and more often than not he'll take care of you.

[hockeyref]

When i go as a boater i take what ever the club sets. If it is a BFL or other tournament i figuer i am fishing and if they want to give me money what ever they want.

When i go as a non boater depending on how much we run the least i give is 40 but there have been times i have given $80 those tournaments are normally when i get to go to my water for half the day. I average 60 in most tournaments.

As for winning No if i win you aren't getting my money so i don't want yours.
I have had guys want me to pay the boat payment and never went 2 miles from the ramp.

[tdt91]

DISCLAIMER:
First off, this thread is in NO WAY a dig on any of my co-anglers that I have fished with. Some guys know who I am and I am NOT trying to start an argument or take out frustration on someone for  being burned in the past. This has been and (I think) always will be an issue with some people.

Don't want to side step the bigger and better topics on this board (like exaggerating the size of the fish you caught) but with the tough times that are among us, how much is expected from a Co-Angler for fishing with a boater?

I'm sure we have all second guessed the amount of money we gave a boater for the time on the water, just as much as the boaters cannot expect $200 each outing for all incurred costs, but how much is acceptable/insulting?

I have a list of questions that I am curious to see how they will be answered by boaters/non-boaters. If you do answer them please copy and paste the questions with your answers next to the questions and specify if you are a boater or Non boater. If you have a question/s that you want to see answered, please add.

Boater Questions-(understand that the answers may change depending if its tournament or practice)

1. Do you have a set amount that you expect to be paid (some clubs have a minimum)?
The club should set the rate.
2. Do you expect the amount to change depending on location of the tournament? YES.
Do you expect the amount to increase if the co angler wins the co side or lunker? NO
4. Do you expect the amount to increase if you have to run a good bit for fish? NO, it's your choice.
5. If you have a mechanical failure that limits you to running, should there just be a minimum amount for truck fuel/tolls? NO, use the set rate the club sets.
Co-Angler questions-

1. Do you have a set amount that you expect to pay (some clubs have a minimum)?

2. Should you pay more depending on location of the tournament?

3. If your boater gets you on fish does that change the amount that you give?

4. If your boater runs all day but you both come in with NO fish, does that change the amount?

5. If your boater wins the tourney/ lunker or both, Do you think you should still pay the minimum?

6. If your boater "back boats" you all day in a tourney, does that influence what you would pay over the minimum?

7. If the boater was out practicing for a tourney (basically for you and him to get on fish), do you consider that in your thoughts for payment?

8. When reimbursing the boater, do you consider tolls, truck fuel, boat fuel, oil?


As a co-angler, you may consider the tough economy and rationalize a fair amount in your mind. Also, many of the questions above and underlying factors may come to part of the rationalization. With that said, being a non boater is A LOT less expensive than always being a boater. This applies to boat owners who go as non boaters too.

Let the games begin...

see red.

[louisianataxman]

Boater Questions-(understand that the answers may change depending if its tournament or practice)

1. Do you have a set amount that you expect to be paid (some clubs have a minimum)?

NO

2. Do you expect the amount to change depending on location of the tournament?

No

3. Do you expect the amount to increase if the co angler wins the co side or lunker?
No , I would be happy that someone fishing the back deck on my boat to win a tournament since I have been told I cover the water better than most people.

4. Do you expect the amount to increase if you have to run a good bit for fish?

No, I am making the choice on where to fish,  if the night or morning discussion results in  the co angler stating his fish is better than mine but is twice the difference, that discussion may be held on boat gas money.

5. If you have a mechanical failure that limits you to running, should there just be a minimum amount for truck fuel/tolls?

No, if I break down I do notexpect money.

Co-Angler questions-

1. Do you have a set amount that you expect to pay (some clubs have a minimum)?

Depends on water travel and fishing and boaters attitude

2. Should you pay more depending on location of the tournament? Location? Not sure what u mean.

3. If your boater gets you on fish does that change the amount that you give? I will be grateful, but no. If I have done well then he should have to.

4. If your boater runs all day but you both come in with NO fish, does that change the amount?

No

5. If your boater wins the tourney/ lunker or both, Do you think you should still pay the minimum?

Yes, what he wins is his prize not mine.  He spent the time and money finding the fish to win the tourney.

6. If your boater "back boats" you all day in a tourney, does that influence what you would pay over the minimum? 

Oh yes, but back ending me(personally) would be handled on the water first, and if not settled the weigh in sheet will not be signed.

7. If the boater was out practicing for a tourney (basically for you and him to get on fish), do you consider that in your thoughts for payment?

No, because apparently he was planning on fishing the tournament. Now , if if this is a team tournament yes practice is  covered.

8. When reimbursing the boater, do you consider tolls, truck fuel, boat fuel, oil?

No, sorry but I drove to the tournament also and have the same costs. If for some reason we are riding together then 1/2 the cost.


I am like Mike above, if I am fishing as the boater I was going to be there anyway. Whatever the co wants to give me is fine. I do not expect him to cover my boat payment, truck payment and all gas practicing.

[Dbrunner]

As a boater I don't really expect a lot, and a lot of times I will turn down money when it's offered. However it's nice to be offered.