I’m just curious on what your guys policy is on helping your boater for gas money. I’m sure a lot of people think “they are fishing the tournament anyway” but i’m wondering do you guys help with gas money from prefishing and the tournament day?
The few times that I’m in the back of the boat, I look at a reasonable distance trailer the boat, how much running we do, and if I prefish with them.
Example
25 miles to trailer @.50 = $12.50 / 2 = $6.25
20 miles of running on the river @3.5 miles /gal = 6 gallons @$3.00 = $18.00 / 2 = $9.00
Then did he/she supply drinks, ice, incidentals…. (Adder) then round up to the next $5.00
With the above info, I would offer up $25.00 or $30.00 as a minimal. If I knew they trailered further or if I made pre-fishing plans with them, I would kick in a lot more. Back when I was involved in a local club and we drove from Watertown, WI to the Miss, $100. wasn’t out of the question to car pool/and boat with a guy.
No matter how you look at it, its exspensive to own and opperate a boat.
Good post btw
As a Non – Boater I always offered the boater money for Gas expense. I always asked the boater what I owe him for gas. Some would give me a $ amount. Others would say whatever I think. Most would say don’t worry about it (They always get money anyway) I would base the amount that I gave someone on the size of the boat and motor, The amount of running we did, as well as how far the boater had to pull the boat to get it to the water. Unless you have owned and ran a boat I know it’s hard to tell how much it cost to run one. That is why I always liked it when the boater gave me a $ amount when asked. Believe me it is much cheaper to give a boater money for gas than it is to own a boat of your own. Just my $.02 worth – Ok so maybe my $.05 worth.
Ok yeah maybe I should have posted more. I owned the boat for our local tournament this last weekend which was right down the road no big deal there. But we prefished from last sunday-thursday 3 hours a day together for them 5 days and then all day saturday. We also cashed a check for $300 so we split it 50/50 no big deal but I thought he would maybe kick me 20 dollars for gas maybe i’m making this a bigger deal than it is. If this helps he is one of my buddies since 5th grade.
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Ok yeah maybe I should have posted more. I owned the boat for our local tournament this last weekend which was right down the road no big deal there. But we prefished from last sunday-thursday 3 hours a day together for them 5 days and then all day saturday. We also cashed a check for $300 so we split it 50/50 no big deal but I thought he would maybe kick me 20 dollars for gas maybe i’m making this a bigger deal than it is. If this helps he is one of my buddies since 5th grade.
If he’s your buddy since forever, that makes it easier. You can give him grief. Tell him he can buy the case of beer next time he comes over or something like that.
Honestly I used to get all worked up and spilt the cost right down to the smalles item. Now days, I realized it all works out in the end.
For previous IDO discussion click here
Our club has had LOTS of discussion on this topic. In the end, we leave it up to the boater & non-boater to work together on what is expected. The last meeting we had as a club, it was decided that the non-boater gives the boater $15.00. If the non-boater pays the way for the optional big bass/biggest bag pot($10.00) for the boater, then that is their choice.
If its a buddy, you have no issue with “Hey, you mind kick’n in 50 or so for gas…my wallet took a beating with all the gas” what is going to say? KMA or Good For You
If I was a co angler in a tournament $50 is appropriate number. Maybe a little more or less depending on how we are fishing. For myself to run the boat to pool 2, about 30 miles from home and fish for the day cost between $40 and $65. This does not even take into account wear and tear on the truck or boat.
$25 pending on the run. Also, if cashing a check guys will tend to kick in a little more $40-50. Asking goes a long ways.
First of all and most important – Congrats on cashing a check in the tourney. That being said 5 days of pre-fishing and a full tourney day + splitting the winnings I think expecting some gas more is more than reasonable. How much depends on various factors. It is possible in all the excitement he just forgot ( I have been guilty of this ) I would just mention it to him the next time you see him. If he is a good buddy as stated I’m sure he won’t have a issue with it. Have you fished together before? Did he offer any gas money then? One again congrats on the good finish. Lets hear the details on the tourney!!!
I think each tourney format can be different. I do not believe the Iconellis/Takasakis of the world(top tier tourney fisherman) should expect me to throw them $20.00 + for a one day tourney(in their boat anyway). Seriously, if my $20.00 is the difference between that pro eating dinner that night or not, well, he best get his priorities in order. As a pro, they have to go into each tourney managing their own expenses from bait to gas to lodging. They should not expect to receive anything from the coanglers. Most likely, the pro’s winnings are a much higher percentage than the Co’s. At these levels, I don’t believe the Co is allowed to run the boat, make any decisions etc…Hence the title Pro and all the glory that comes with it. 
Now in your situation, being this is a buddy. I’d just kick him in the 
and tell him to buy the next time you fish together. No use letting it eat away at you and damage a friendship over $50-$100. We aren’t here long enough, so we shouldn’t let the little stuff get to us. 
With the new rules concerning the USCG and the whole guiding license ordeal, I think once you accept money for fuel you are then considered a “guide” or a charter and would need a license.
Call me crazy, but that is exactly what it sounds like and the USCG will see an opportunity to collect money.
Anytime you collect money from another person in the boat, you are in a sense charging them to guide them for a day on the water regardless if it is a tourney or not.
Besides that, I always felt that a $20 bill for gas was appropriate for the small club tourneys I fished in. If the guy was a tool, I didn’t feel any guilt or regret for NOT giving them anything.
Along with all of the above discussion, I appreciate the CO that I had at the FLW Leaque tourney in Red Wing this year.
He knew that I had pre-fished all week and offered gas money.
But he also wanted to reward me for the knowledge that he gained about the River, tactics, etc. He wasn’t a River fisherman, so it was all new to him. We finished 7th and both got a nice check. I accepted his gas money, but was satisfied enough that he recognized he had learned something that will help him in the future. I think that the knowledge gained from your Boater is as important as the gas.
WKW
Many valid points and all work great.
Pro/Am format most Boaters, myself included, seldom accept money towards fuel. More often than not it’s the gesture of their offer that is reward enough. Any Boater that says otherwise isn’t there for the right reason.
If I fish as the Co-angler I try to cover half the cost of the day. Running your own rig makes this math fairly easy to comprehend. Unless it’s a friend; I never ask how much or hand it to them before the start/end of the day. This is where the decline of your offer occurs. I always know I’m the second to last person in the boater’s truck. I either lay a flat $30-$60, dependent on usage, on their center console or I tuck it in the visor when I help trailer the rig. Visible but not blatantly obvious.
It’s worked so far and haven’t heard any complaints. Having been on both sides of this exchange it’s seemingly flawless.
-Richard <*))))))>{
Every single one of my friends I fish with (especially tournaments) volunteer for expenses. If I had to ask for some help on expenses I would have to weigh in all the circumstances to make a decision to approach or not. Like, is this guy an obvious mooch or do I spend time in his boat, etc…
There’s only one time I had to ask for fuel on a hunting trip. From now on, I make it clear fuel is 50/50 with this guy before we leave my house.
Thanks Fishthumper. “First of all and most important – Congrats on cashing a check in the tourney.” We had a great all around day bass fishing from take off to time to come in throwing top water frogs. We ended up 4th out of 31 boats which was awesome to know I could hang with guys 10 + years older than me (i’m 23). I guess I never expected him to give gas money I just thought he would offer and I would turn it down like normal. But hey cashing checks in tournaments is a great feeling (my first time cashing a check)
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Many valid points and all work great.
Pro/Am format most Boaters, myself included, seldom accept money towards fuel. More often than not it’s the gesture of their offer that is reward enough. Any Boater that says otherwise isn’t there for the right reason.
If I fish as the Co-angler I try to cover half the cost of the day. Running your own rig makes this math fairly easy to comprehend. Unless it’s a friend; I never ask how much or hand it to them before the start/end of the day. This is where the decline of your offer occurs. I always know I’m the second to last person in the boater’s truck. I either lay a flat $30-$60, dependent on usage, on their center console or I tuck it in the visor when I help trailer the rig. Visible but not blatantly obvious.
It’s worked so far and haven’t heard any complaints. Having been on both sides of this exchange it’s seemingly flawless.
-Richard <*))))))>{
That is very similar to the approach I used to leaving them some cash. Leave it in the cab of the truck or glove box of the boat then let them know at the last minute I left them something to help out with expenses for the day. This worked great to avoid that situation where they did not want to take it or they felt awkward taking the money.
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