Good post Pete! I only have one more thing to add: don't be late. A fishing trip is usually timed around tide, time of day, etc.--be there when you're supposed to, or at least make a courtesy call if you'll be late, with a good excuse. Sounds like common sense, but it isn't to some people, apparently.
One thing that really helps me out as the boat owner is if the guest(s) bring the food and drink for the trip. There's enough prep work with getting a boat ready that showing up with the food for the day makes things easier on me.
An offer of gas money is always appreciated as a matter of courtesy. Some will take it, some won't. And I can't pull up the reference right now, but I don't think it's true that the trip automatically becomes a charter in exchange for gas money.
Something that impressed the hell out of me when I had a complete stranger on board was when he rinsed the bottoms of his (non black sole) shoes before stepping onboard. I don't do that, but it showed that the guy cared enough not to grind sand into the nonskid. People like that get invited back (and he packed a mean lunch!).  |