What Is Reasonable $ Amount For Back Seat To Pay ?

[Guy Kelley]

Now with gas costing well into the $3.50 a gallon and it costing an easy $125.00 plus to fill both tanks in the boat. Not including the cost of getting the boat to the lake or the Delta.

The question is how much should I expect the non-boater to contribute to the expense of a days worth of fishing ?

I usually pay for the launch, oil and most time go with both tanks full of gas for the day. Some times I will run a lot and some days not so much.

But with the price of things the way they are today it's getting more and more expensive to operate no matter how much I run.

Some of it will be for fun fishing and some would be for pre tournament. Is there a difference, and should I expect more from a partner for pre-fishing a tournament rather than a back seater for a fun day of fishing? Dose it matter if I am running on the Delta rather a lake ?

I don't want to be know as a jerk because some guy offers me $20.00 for a day and I look at him funny, nor do I want to be in a situation of asking for more. I think its a common sense thing, that needs to be talked about before I even start the main motor ?

But It drives me nuts when the guy ask at the end of the day do I want any money ? Well of course I want money ! I cant afford to do this for free can I ? To me the guy is looking for a freebie when he ask a question like that. They know that it cost something to run a boat and not to just offer $30.00 or so bucks is kind of cheep.

But I don't think $30.00 even begins to cover a non-boaters expense anymore with the way cost are going up on everything !

Or am I expecting to much?

[Ricky-S]

I think for me the offer is more than the amount. A lot of times I don't event take gas money.

I would say that 30-40 bucks is plenty.

[NoCAL]

I look at it like this. I'm going fishing no matter what. If I can get some help, that's great, if not, I was going to fish anyway. I bought a boat knowing full well that there were costs down the line. If someone offers me $20, or pays for launch and gets lunch, I'm pretty happy with that. I would never look funny at someone who offered me $20. It's just part of owning a boat. I didn't buy it to make money, LOL!

NoCAL

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

I don't know about all the other rearseats, but I like to cover the launch and throw in anywhere from 40 to 70 bucks depending on how much running we did..I don't think a boater should expect to cover his boat costs on a trio, but he should expect some help on covering the on the water expenses..I have had some boaters tell me I gave them too much and others that wouldn't take anything..For all you non-boaters out there, the main thing is to try and show your appreciation for the day on the water..Use your head, if the boater dropped the trolling motor at the launch ramp and stayed on it all day, it is obvious he didn't spend a lot on gas and oil, but the big question is did you enjoy the opportunity to get on the water, if you did at least try and show it monetarily..Let the boater decided if it was too much..Yeah there may be some guys out there that wouldn't be completely happy if you gave then $100..There is rarely such a thing as a cheap day on the water, try and be generous with your contribution..

mac

[bassindon69]

I look at it like this. I'm going fishing no matter what. If I can get some help, that's great, if not, I was going to fish anyway. I bought a boat knowing full well that there were costs down the line. If someone offers me $20, or pays for launch and gets lunch, I'm pretty happy with that. I would never look funny at someone who offered me $20. It's just part of owning a boat. I didn't buy it to make money, LOL!

NoCAL

I 2nd that NoCal.

But also, Mac your alright too.

Don.

[MIKE TREMONT]

All depends on the situation.

I have an agreement with my team partner: we split the cost of gas. We live kind of close and I pick him up on the way to the lake. My vehicle gets around 10mpg pulling the boat. My boat has the Smart Craft window on it, so there's no guessing how much gas we used.
When we get back to the house a couple calculations and we're on our separate ways. He and I can both live with this.
Now if I'm just going fun fishing and invite someone, that's different. I may or may not take their money.
I think the key here is being open up front. Let whomever know what you need. Every boater and non-boater I have met knows these things ain't cheap. What they don't know is much money you have in your pocket or how generous you can afford to be.

[Jason C.]

Sence Im not really sure what to give them either I simply ask them, how much do I owe ya? Usually they say what ever you feel is appropriate. Heck I even had a guy take a swimbait for gas money! When they say what ever I feel is right I usually ask if 40$ is enough and I havent had anyone say no that aint enough. Ive had more turn down money then say that aint enough. Actually I havent had anyone say that is not enough.

[biteme]

I always just give the boater cash. BUT I also own a boat so I know what its take to run one. I think its only fair for a non boater to pay half. Most boaters have storage, insurance, boat payment and wear and tear. I would think the non boater would be happy to pay half the gas after all these factors. The only people that get free rides in my boat is family.
But then again Im sure theres non boaters out there that have no clue what the costs are.

[XMAN]

An extremly highly rated team partnership sums it up this way,when money is won we split it 3 ways, 1 for me, 1 for you and 1 for the boat--fun days could be 20-50 easy--xman

[Jerry]

I always just give the boater cash. BUT I also own a boat so I know what its take to run one. I think its only fair for a non boater to pay half. Most boaters have storage, insurance, boat payment and wear and tear. I would think the non boater would be happy to pay half the gas after all these factors. The only people that get free rides in my boat is family.
But then again Im sure theres non boaters out there that have no clue what the costs are.

If I get a call from one of the boaters in our club to help pre-fish, I'll ask what would be fair as far as fuel, launch, but if it's a tourney, I kick in the launch fee and we split 50/50 fuel for truck and boat no matter how much running we did. There have been times where my cost was upwards of $60. If you want to play, you gotta pay. No muss no fuss. Easy

[jaime7819]

I 3rd NoCal

[Guy Kelley]

[quote="NoCAL"]I look at it like this. I'm going fishing no matter what. If I can get some help, that's great, if not, I was going to fish anyway. I bought a boat knowing full well that there were costs down the line. If someone offers me $20, or pays for launch and gets lunch, I'm pretty happy with that. I would never look funny at someone who offered me $20. It's just part of owning a boat. I didn't buy it to make money, LOL!

NoCAL[/quote]
Nor Cal;

I am not trying to make money, If i was i might as well sell my boat and find another hobby to take up, cause I am sure not doing well at this one. making any money that is

I know it sound like I am all sour grapes, but I really don't think I am !? When I fished 100% Pro/Am as the back seat, I always gave my boater $40.00 bucks for the day, some took it and some said no thanks ! Even when we cashed a pretty good check, 1st place ! I offered two $20.00 's. you would be surprised how many took the cash.

It's been quite a while since I have had any one else on my boat besides my son. So that's why I am asking. I don't what any body to think I am trying to get in there pocket for a day on the water.

But at the same time. I want to be able to refuse the offer too if I want.

I just find it difficult to say how much when someone says HOW MUCH DO I. O. U !!!!!?????, but I would rather say nothing or hand em back $10.00 or $20.00 if I feel it's right to do it !!

[Ken C.]

I always just give the boater cash.

To clarify, what Jason didn't mention is that he initially offered the boater money but the boater took a shine to the swimbaits J was throwing so the boater asked if he could have one of those instead...

[Par]

For now I feel the non boater should pay for the launch and offer $30.00 for gas for a day of fishing. But that may change if gas goes to $4.00 bucks a gallon or more. Which from what I hear thats not too far away. When that happens I may decide to swap my 225 opti for a 50Hp four stroke, or rig sails on the boat. But that's another topic.

[Ken C.]

I always just give the boater cash.

To clarify, what Jason didn't mention is that he initially offered the boater money but the boater took a shine to the swimbaits J was throwing so the boater asked if he could have one of those instead...

EDIT: DOH!!! A senior moment. Wow, I just pulled a "Jim"!

[Chaozu]

Last time my partner asked me to throw down 40 bucks but I left an extra 20 just in case. I'm sure we used more than 40 dollars worth of gas on the lake and going to and from the lake. He put me on some good fish too so 60 bucks was no big deal.

[bassenvy]

I like to offer half the gas and help with launch if I'm in someone's boat even if I'm helping someone else prefish for a tournament. Now if it's a tournament or we're fun fishin' out in the cut then I'll help pay for the rigs gas as well and would expect the same but not enforce it.

with gas these days it's nice to talk over a game plan the night before so both people can be on the same page.

[g-man]

When the boaters not looking jump in you truck and roll! LOL JK

Just ask your boater, they a reasonable most of the time!!

20, to 40 is usually fair!

[DeltaDan]

20, to 40 is usually fair!

G- You may only get $20 for picking Lettuce .... and $40 for Oranges for working above ground with Hazardous Duty Pay .... Good thing you you get Net Boy pay as well on the Delta. (back attcha Babe ! )


I personally always pay Launch first off, Launch them and park rig .... Haul it out with them in boat .... then reimburse 1/2 or bettter monies for Gas and Oil -- (Oil is not cheap for some motors ~ right Slippy ) .... and Bring or pay for Lunch/Snacks/Coffee/Toiletpaper and possibly Dinner afterwards.

[Steve]

You should always discuss cost sharing prior to fishing regardless of why you are fishing.

Sometimes thats not the way it works, and the cost sharing discussion takes place at the end of the day. As a non-boater, I really dont know how much gas a particular engine burns, so I usually ask how much I owe for gas. This is not looking for a freebie, as you put it, I just flat out dont know how much it costs. Depending on the answer, and depending on how much we ran around, I give them what they ask for or more. Its always awkward when sombody doesnt want to take the money, especially when its friends. I also usually pay for a launch fee too.

The other thing is this. If Im tight on cash then I just dont fish with friends that have big boats. If I cant afford to run 40 miles with a 225, then I wont put myself in that situation. This has been happening alot lately! The lakes I choose to fish these days is being strongly influenced by the cost of gas. Kinda sucks but I suppose thats just the way it goes.

[biteme]

Man just saw that gas prices are going to 4.00 next month.
So what does that make the boat and truck! 140.00 fill up! 90.00 for the truck and 50.00 for the boat?

[Guyle]

At a Pro-Am I usually ask 'what do I owe ya for gas ? ' at the end of the day. If they say whatever I think ,I ask them if $40 is ok. And they say sure. One time last year I was fishing with Mike Pellegrini and he made sure to tell me mutiple times throughout the day how mush gas we were up to, he also told me how much I owe if I lost certain baits he wanted me to use. All the time he bragged on how rich he is. I ended up giving him $45 since he made sure to tell me we used $90 of gas. ( I was tempted to not give him anything)

[21farms]

i finally bought my own bass boat a few months ago and it was an eye-opener. whoever coined the phrase that goes "BOAT stands for Break Out Another Thousand" hit it right on the head. besides the initial cost of the boat, there's launch fees, gas, oil, registration, and insurance, there's the costs of maintenance (annual service), repair and replacement (think batteries, impeller, etc.) plus all the elbow grease that takes place afterward (parking the boat, cleaning and wiping, charging, etc.). i still go out occasionally on my friend's rigs when they invite me and--now that i know how expensive everything is--i absolutely insist on paying the launch fee and giving them at least $50-60. they always tell me that's too much but they'd soon realize the true cost is actually much higher if they sat down and penciled it out. besides, it is always better to err on the generous side if you want to be invited again.

[Popper]

Guy,

Your question is a good one, but it should not be an issue with back seat boaters regarding sharing some of the fuel cost.
Watching someone put in $96.00 dollars (truck)., and another $75.00 dollars in fuel into his boat, pay $10.00 dollars for launch and offer $20.00 dollars at the end of the day is a joke!
You cannot even go to the movies today with $20.00 dollars!

Nothing in life is a free ride and that should include riding in a Bass boat.

I personally don't need a partner to share fuel expenses, but would expect a partner to pay his way for the day if he decides to join me. On a very limited, if a friend is running into difficult times financially, I would be happy to take the guy out fishing and pay for the day.
When I am fishing Pro-Am tournaments I never asked, but expect the Am to have the decently to offer or assist for the day on the water.

Ed

[froteur]

i don't have a boat but have rented them when i fish the lakes around here. it's $30 (i think) at lafayette with no motor. it's $65 or more at san pablo. other places have been at the san pablo range or more. normally, i'm paying the whole freight on the rental cuz i'm with my son. therefore, i always offer something to the boater. they usually tell me it's too much but it is still cheaper than me renting a boat that is not nearly as nice to fish off as theirs. not only that, it's difficult to find a boat at the delta or at clear lake.

[georgecopple]

i have been fishing the flw's as a co-angler the last three years and usually give between $30-40 and have never had a complaint. like ricky said, the gesture is usally payment enough, i'm sure a lot of guys get stiffed. i don't worry about launch fees, most of the time you meet your guy at the ramp and i pay them also. i also don't worry about gas for their tow vehicle, just like before, i am also driving and using my gas. so i worry about gas and oil for the boat. if we do a lot of running and use a ton of gas then i will pay accordingly and also if we don't run i won't pay as much. if you pay $40, that is plenty i would think unless you are running through both tanks of gas. you figure if you split it and you both pay half, thats $80 worth of gas at the end of the day. now lunch and stuff like that, maybe if i had a great day, but i'm not looking to buy my boater lunch everyday.

i also fish the wonbass pro/ams out of my own boat (well at least the ones i can) and i am like said before, if you offer me money, that is payment enough. i know full well that i chose to fish from the pointy end of the boat and i knew comming in that it costs money. i have never asked for gas money for two simple reasons: 1) Having the decency, class and respect to offer to pay is awesome in itself, especially if you had a tough day out there and 2) whether the co-angler is there or not, i'm fishing, i always plan on paying everything myself anyway. if i get something from them that is plus and the guy is an awesome dude and welcome on my boat anytime. plus at the time, i'm not worried about getting gas money, i'm worried about the fish, even when i get off the water my mind stays on fish, not about how the co-angler was a cheep a$$.

all in all, i always give at least $30, i havn't given $20 since i first started and gas prices were more like $2.20 instead of $4 but money given is all relevant to the situation and how much went on. I think, judging by what is in prior posts, you guys are paying a pretty high price. jmho.

[Slippy]

its pretty simple........ 50\50 if the non boater thinks its to much find a different hobbie. Just make sure you show reciepts.

[Fishitifyoucan]

Best sign I have ever seen on a persons boat read.....

"This boat runs on gas, not THANK YOU'S!"

I think that sums it up.

[Darkman]

I ride the back...in So.Cali the lakes are not so big so $20-30 bucks is fair...I always offer $40

up north is a tad different...bigger lakes $60-80...that's fair

I know running a boat is costly..got one
but I am not going to pay your way either..my cost

Gas in my Truck..no boat but its still a truck and it take a lot
I pay my own gate fee
and if I need to I get my own room...or sleep in my truck at a camp site.

if I am traveling with a friend...the motor home and we split the gas...I go with the same guys and we all just do it that way

Money is tight for every one...but I do my fair share

but most of the time the guys wont take my cash...its the offer that is important to them....as a back seater I don't want to be known as the A#$ H$%# that wont pitch in...not offering is a just not Cool

[InTheBlind]

I'm rolling with bassinholic on Thurs to the Delta and he told me that he would pay me to fish his backseat.

We just have to find out where the fish are and what they want.



California Quagga Chuckers Association!!
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