Money for gas, bait..Awkward

[Tommy]

Another post made me think about this. Isn't it always an awkward situation when whomever you take fishing doesn't offer to help out with gas, etc. It's gotten to the point now, that I don't even ask, I just don't ever take them again if they don't at least offer. What do you guys do?

I hate to say it, but it seems like most people think the trips are freebees.

Tommy

[Reels]

It depends on who it is. People like iamwalleye1 give three times what it costs, while my brother hasnt given me a nickle ever. Both are welcome in my boat any time. But Bill, next time you give the money to my kid, Im gonna stick a perch in your pants!!

There are times when other people though just dont get it. I try not to let it bother me any more.

<{{}}><

[cash-offer]

i understand totally. it sucks when guys pretend to not know the proper ettiquette regarding fishing expenses. i have a suggestion. if you ride in your buddies truck, fish in your buddies boat, use your buddies gear, you should pay all of the gas and bait expenses for the day. don't forget, boats and trucks need oil also. LOL

[Jim Ordway]

When I invite someone to fish with me, my intent is that it is my treat. I figure that I am going fishing, with or without them, and all the better to have good company. Almost, without exception, the guys I fish with offer to pay for bait and or a sandwich, knowing that I won't take money for gas. One timers may or may not offer, which is fine. When I invite, I don't expect renumeration, I just enjoy the comraderie.
Enjoy,

[mtwalleye]

No matter what it costs, it's not worth losing a friend over. -- mark
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Walleyes Unlimited
www.walleyesunlimited.com

[Brian_MN]

I'm with Jim.

When I ask someone along, it's my treat. Most of my friends fish, and we take turns driving trucks and boats, so it all works out in the end. I figure I'm going fishing anyway, and the gas is the same whether it's me alone, or with a buddy.

[bluelund]

Tommy,

I can feel your pain, it hurts right in the wallet. LOL. Seriously, I have to say that most of your friends probably have no idea how much money it takes for insurance and gas and maintenance, etc. It's not worth losing a good friend over but I must say there are people I have never invited back. Sometimes I will drop a hint about tipping the guide if they have a good time and most are pretty good abou it, but I am afraid some are just to dense to figure it out. Unfortunately, they are usually related to you in some way.

Take care and good fishing,

Bob M

[outdoor fanatic]

Speaking as someone who doesn't have a boat, I am more than willing to pay for just about everything because that's my nature. So with that being said, if you're in Michigan and in need of a fishing partner, give me a call. :P

[T-Mac]

I agree, Jim.

[FROGMAN]

Unfortunately there is some gray area about this in Michigan. In an effort to crush "unlicensed" guides the DNR had the laws re-written a few years back as I understand it. As it was explained to me, you can not take someone fishing for a fee, "or other consideration". When I asked a DNR officer for clarification he said technically your partner could not even offer to bring the beer in return for you taking them fishing as that would violate the law. I'm not saying don't take people fishing, I'm just syaing be aware of this, and treat them as your guest.
Tight lines


Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[curt quesnell]

In the days when someone sharing expenses made the trip do-able
I didnt hesitate to "collect" on the trip. I had the boat and
all the stuff and they didnt.

Now I fish with people who insist on paying some, some who do
not pay and I do not ask and some I collect from.

If its important to you that your trip mates share expenses then
let you must let them know or dont stew about it.


Curt Quesnell

[CJHughes]

When I ask someone to go fishing they will almost always ask what they need to bring . I always tell them if they will bring the food and drink I will pay for everything else . It works for me and some of them get pretty creative with what they bring to eat .As some of the other guys have said I am going with or without them ,so it is a free meal for me . I always get my own bait ,so that isn't an issue with me. I don't remeber the last time I paid for bait .

[JT]

Most folks don't, I believe, have any idea what it costs in gas to spend a day on the water. My brother, who doesn't fish much, was up last summer and he couldn't believe how much gas we used.

My regular fishing partner and I take turns with our boats. The guy with the boat covers gas, the other brings snacks, lunch, whatever. In the end, it works out.

When I invite someone, its my treat and a simple "thanks" is enough. I enjoy the company and being on the water is always a pleasure. I never take someone out if I don't think I'll enjoy their company, so it isn't a big deal. Still, an offer of gas money is appreciated, even if I don't accept.

[Wallygetter]

Frogman has it right, in Michigan it is suppose to be against the law to take any type of compensation for taking someone fishing, unless your a licensed Charter capt. I have fished in the PWT and RCL the last few years as a co-angler. On the PWT I had to pay the pro $40.00, while fishing the RCL not one of the Pro's would take any money when offered since they said it was against the law and did not want to get in trouble. I know that some are licensed Charter Capt., some are not, go figure. I'm with Jim, if someone goes fishing in my boat, it's on me.

[s-bone]

the way we do it is when we go we start a pot and the truck and boat are full when we start and fill it up when we get back. ALL pop, food, bait, gas, ect, comes out of the pot. When we go up to the cabin for our 5 day trips (2 a year) same thing. If we stop to eat breakfast it comes out of the pot. When we get back and there is any left it gets split back up between us. Just let newcomers know before hand that that is the way you do it. It is only being fair.has worked great for us. The key is you all throw in the same amount when you start, might be $20 each or $200 depending on the trip.

[Jim Ordway]

Ok, enough already!!! Since this thread started last night, I have gotten 50 emails from people wanting to go fishing :) :). I don't get it? :).

[ChuckD]

I've got friends who love to fish as much as I, who make double the salary, but never go out and buy a boat, expect me to invite them every year on trips, and they never really pitch in any money. Its a matter of being cheap. But, I enjoy the company while fishing....I'll be fishing anyways, so what the heck. But, where do you draw the line? I spend every penny I earn on fishing and hunting and barely have enough $$ to buy gas at $1.89/gallon last summer. Its a matter of speaking up and risking yourself as being "cheap" for asking for assistance or just not invite them on trips anymore.

I only have two friends that offer to pay for everything because they don't have the toys, and those are the friends who insist on giving towards expenses, most time I don't let them. These friends are the best fishing buddies I have, and their company is always welcome in my boat.

You can always weed out the ones who use you for what you have, and realize the true friends who are gracious that you invited them.

[donc]

I had a constant fishing partner for about 12 years until I moved. I had the truck and boat and he absolutely insisted on buying the gas and bait, and occasionly gas for the truck. We heaped monumental amounts of verbal abuse and insults on each other and were pretty competetive with our fishing. One time it was really windy and rough making boat control tough and he was giving me too many orders on where and how to run the boat. I told him it was his turn to run the boat which lasted about 15 minutes and he told me he would never again tell me how to run the boat. Partners like this make for great memories and that's what it's all about.

[Mckoz]

I also don't ask for and don't expect any $$'s. I take anyone who wants to go. So far this year I have been repaid with several pheasant hunting trips, one trip out of state wild boar hunting, two Lake Michigan trips and tomorrow Im going to participate in a Buffalo hunt!

Seems to me "what goes around comes around" I am getting a great return on my investment. (and I've got some good friends)

Mike

[Marble Eyes]

19 years ago, my New wife and I moved next to a newly retired Phone Worker that Lived to fish and Hunt. He too was new to the area and enjoyed some company on his little outings.

We soon became acqainted. And he frequently invited me along on his local fishing trips. On more than one occasion I declined, do to being Flat Broke. (21 yrs. old, just married, working part time, going to College) I finally had to tell him, that to be quite honest I didn't feel it was right for me to go along and no be able to offer much for the outing. He smiled and said "G.. D... it, get in the Truck."

Today he is 74 years old, he lost his wife a year ago, and when I pull in his driveway you can see his face light up.

Had he been tight with his money, He wouldn't have continued to ask me to go along, and today I probably wouldn't enjoy his company so much on a trip to the lake for a day of tales. Want to guess what I tell him when he grabs his wallet and attempts to pay for something? Not a chance in #####.... A couple of people have earned that right in my rig.

But otherwise if I invite someone, then I expect nothing. I will however gratiously accept a meal, perhaps buying the bait, if on a overnight trip they getting the room cost, or a few dollars for gas. But do I get upset if they don't fork over the dough?

NAH, SHUT UP AND FISH!

Money doesn't buy happiness or Friendship. Nor does it compare to the memories of a Hunting or Fishing trip.

[Peanut]

As someone else posted, I have been extremely lucky with my fishing buddies, and the issue of payment. Everyone goes out of their way to make sure things are fair.

The "problems", if you will, never come from your good friends.

But, for the one-timers or others, if we don't set out the rules in advance, we shouldn't make such a big deal about it. If it's important, get it out in the open.

For anything more than a day trip, that's select company, and we've always divided everything, no one has complained or felt taken advantage of.

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

[CJW]

Why is it you think people should always get something for offering to take someone fishing? In the past if you asked someone to dinner the person asking paid the bill. If you think its bad someone doesn't offer then don't ask. To me the company is worth asking. Any added expense, and really there is no added costs you were probably going anyway. Todays mindset in some people is whats in it for meeee!!! Which to me there shouldn't be anything it for you if you asked them. Now if the other person asks you to go, then different ball game. He should be paying for about everything. Your taking your boat and vehicle, they should foot the bill for bait, gas, etc. If I ask someone then they don't have to bring a thing except what they want to eat for the day. I enjoy the company more than anything. Its a whole lot more fun catching that trophy then losing it in front of a witness than crying in my beer later that its just another fish story. Don't take offense its just my opionion I'm from the old school where you do things for others without needing any form of compensation, even when they do or don't offer. CW

[walleye43]

What a topic. Brings mixed emotions. I see good points in both sides of the coin. I agree that, you may be going anyway and that the company is nice, so you don't expect compensation. I also agree that eventually things that go around come around and that most people return favors if not in this way, perhaps in other ways. They may invite you to dinner, take you golfing (if you like that sort of thing) or maybe just by being there in a time of crisis. There are lots of ways to be paid or compensated for doing good for others, but sometimes it just plain makes you feel good. But I still like to hear Thank You no matter what.

[wallytap]

If I invite people to go fishin' I will provide the gas & bait.If someone invites themselves or asks to be taken out then we split the costs. Fair is fair.

[BlackSilver]

If I invited you along it was because I wanted your company, not because I wanted you to finance my fishing trip.

SET the hook!!!

Hans

[Don__SD]

I once had a sticker on my dash that read. Grass, Gas or ##### nobody rides for free. It got taken off when my son learned to read

[Jack G]

My oldest and best friend is the guy who goes on fishing trips with me about 75% of the time. He is no fisherman and strictly fishes the way I set up and where I decide to fish. I never ask him to share anything but motel costs. He always offers.

Since I would go on these trips whether he went or not and since I get to call the shots about where and how to fish I do not expect any cost sharing from him.

The day he decides he wants to share picking where and how to fish I will suggest he pay half of all expenses. I would be tickled to death if he showed that much interest but we just enjoy each others company and we both have plenty of time to fish.

Jack

[IaCraig]

I'm with you too Jim. When we take my rig on a multi day trip, we split all expensed evenly. (I pay my share of bait/gas etc too) Otherwise on a 1 day trip I figure it is my treat. If people offer to pay for gas or bait, fine, if they don't I don't' give it another thought.

[T.R. in MT.]

When I invite someone to fish with me, I don`t expect them to pay a dime. Their company is payment enough. My regular fishing partners always chip in for gas, but I would enjoy their company just as much even if they didn`t. One of the main goals of Montana Walleyes Unlimited and Montana Pike Masters is to teach as many people as posible about the pure enjoyment of fishing. I love to take a first time fisherman to Yellowtail Res. to show them the beauty of the canyon from a boat, and to help them catch their first walleye. I feel that if I can justify owning a boat worth 20k, I shouldn`t complain about the cost of running it.

[Chad]

Next time ask them to drive.