Looking for a fishing charter mate?

Walk the docks at AYH and Sapphire and introduce yourself to every boat crew early every morning, and meet them when they come back in the afternoons, and it will happen if you have presented yourself in a reasonable fashion.

Do you have an idea on how much those guys make?

We've fished with charters all over the Keys and the Caribbean, including St. Croix. Most mates receive a "tip" equivalent to 20% of the cost of the charter. If they do a good job (i.e. work hard--genuine effort) then we might tip a little more. Inasmuch as most charters are 750-1000 for a full day, a mate can make as much as 200-250/day of fishing. Of course, when not fishing, no $.

We've also fished with "flats" guides in small boats who don't use a mate. In these instances, if we've had a good day, a tip in addition to the quoted fee is appropriate. I grew up on the water as our family owned and operated a marina on one of the lakes in Kentucky. I have guided myself and know how much hard work it is to do a good job. Even then, catching fish is not guaranteed. That is why I evaluate guides and mates by the work they do, rather than the actual fish produced.

Steve

I moved to STT about 3 mo. ago. I went and talked with almost every boat captain around. I finally got lucky after about a month and got hired. I had no experience as a sprot fisherman here. I came from Alaska on a commercial purse seiner.
Down here I make 10% of what the boat makes plus tips. Somedays tips are good $100-200 and some days only 20-40 bucks. People don't tip much if you don't catch much and/or they get sick. The boats don't go out everyday for one reason or the other. You should plan on another part time job. I recommend talking with the lobster guys. It's a lot of fun but you work hard and make between $125-200 a day. You leave very early and spend the day pulling traps of lobster and reef fish. If you like to be on the water and don't mind the work you should be able to find work.
I wish you luck.

Some one who would charter a sport fishing trip and only tip $20 because they got sick or did not catch enough fish should be offered a FREE trip the next day !!! - ... [one way]

Twice we had a couple pay $700 for a half day, they get sick about 20-30 minutes into going out. By the time we get the lines in they want to head back. Not all the times that folks get sick we head in but we have came back within two hours. One couple was very hungover from the night before that they were sick before they even got on the boat. Careful on the booze the night before. So yea, don't expect to make a lot in tips every time. Best days are when a group of 5-6 do a full day charter and the fish are biting. Even if one or two get sick they still tip very well.