I am a person who has two boats. One a jet sled and the other a drift boat. The other day my wife put down her foot and said enough with taking everyone fishing all the time for free. I have in the past paid for the gas as well as bait..But with the ever higher amount for fuel the wifs says they should help out and not always a free ride. Am I wrong for asking for help or should I tell the wife to forget it. I like helping people out and getting them on the water. Thank you for your time.

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rip some lips

what kind of buddies are these? Who would use some one like that without helping pay for some of the gas and the tackle. When ever I take people they just offer some for gas and tackle. I normally pay for it all the first time I take someone out. but after that they are expected to help out if they want to be invited to go again. these gas prices are making me sick and I am normally glad to take some one along that is going to kick me a few $$$ The only person I don't expect to pay is dad. I live at home and don't get charged rent so it's hard to expect payment for the tackle he uses. but he is about the only one who has the free run of my tackle box. sometimes when he is catching them all and I can't get them to bite I might tell him to pay up but he laughs and that's it. he does buy gas sometimes

just my 2 bits

dcrzfitter

I also take many of my friends out. Just a drift boat but everyone helps out with the bait, beer and what ever other costs there may be. One would just hope that they would say " let me pick up the gas this time" Make a point of stopping by to get gas on the way to the river and see what happens. If they do not catch on do not call them next time.

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dank
Keep The Rivers Clean!

I believe your wife is right!I fished with A friend for two years and I was extatic to get the chance to get off the bank.I always split the cost of the trip.It was my statement of appreciation and it anabled us to get out more often.He had other friends and they just mooched.I'm not talking fishing tactics here.I know there are times when A friend simply doesn't have the funds right now and that is fine.But you should recognise the pattern.The only thing better than A good day fishing is A day fishing with a GOOD FRIEND.

Dutchman

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I know you are right guys but feel wrong asking for money from what I thought were friends. I will just have to watch who I offer to go from now on...

I'm a soft touch too and I take people out all the time without expecting anything but in most cases these guys typically try to include me in activities that are big with them (golf, cookouts, sports events, etc) that I otherwise wouldn't have done so I figure if you've got decent friends it all evens out eventually. On the other hand if you're entertaining a bunch of moochers thats not good and your wife is probably right.

oops . . uhh . . change above word "moochers" to "freeloaders" (didn't mean to offend any of my bait soaking bretheren)

[This message has been edited by Chaps (edited 09-30-2000).]

Ended up selling my salt boat for just this reason. I drift now, and share with a few close friends. I have a great friend who takes me to the salt when it's happening. The problem is this, if your friends have never owned a salt boat, they don't realize the aggregated cost of licensing, fuel, towing, storage/moorage, insurance, etc. It adds up faaaaasssst! When my budd takes me to the salt, I insist on paying for full gas, bait, and launching. He pays all year long for other items, why should he pay to take me? When I take him on a drift, he is my guest, and rides for free.

I, too have a jet sled and a drift boat so when I go fishing I do the driving,boat launching,boat handling,netting(because usually the other guy is catching the fish while I'm running the boat),anchoring ,etc.
The wear and tear is on my truck,trailer and boats and "we" usually use my tackle.I feel it is only fair that the other guy pay's his share(at least half),but out of all my fishing buddies I only have one who will pay his fair share and he usually tries to pay for a lot more.Needless to say he is the one I ask to go fishing the most!!!!!lester

The next time you pull in for gas on the waY to or from your fishing destination go to a filling station that has credit card pumps and just ask the other folks, which one of them wants to use his card, the other guys can then give him cash for there share. No negotiating just do it . Most of the time people are like puppies they just need to know what the rules are so they know how to act.

My quit reply is "Find some new fishing buddies".
I also have a boat and had similar experiences with the ungratefuls. It only takes me one trip to sort out the losers. If the don't contribute in either paying for bait , rowing, netting, or cleaning up afterwards they are off my fishing partner list. As mention before, all the wear and tear is on my gear, truck and tackle.

Another lesson I learned is be selective of who you bring. I typically hold back on showing the good water to 1st timers. I had one experience where I showed a 1st timer a stretch and low and behold a few weeks later he was in the same stretch and using snagging gear with some other losers.

The least the moochers can do is throw a few bucks in for gas or bait.

Geessh, it never ceases to amaze me on how many losers there are out there. I'm usually a fishing slut and will go with anyone , but us fishing sluts have to have some integrity and draw the line somewhere. Grow some nads and DITCH those freeloaders!

The way I figure it, I'm going fishing peiod! Whether its by myself or with someone else is not important. I will ask friends if they want to tag along. Most of them are more than happy to pay for some gas or bring a lunch or buy bait and thats just an added treat when they do. Ditch the wife and find one who lets you have both boats or better yet has one of her own(just kidding)

Why don't you let your friends view this post? If I were you,I certainly wouldn't feel guilty about asking your friends to help out.

I took what you all said to heart and when I told everyone I was drifting the Nooch this weekend they were standing in line wanting to go. But when I said some help with the fuel and such would be great it was anouther story. One guy at work who I have never taking out before jump up and said no problem. So the rest can set in the driveway from now on. By the way we got two 25 pound kings.

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rip some lips

We use the kitty method when we go on trips. Everyone will throw in $20 or $50 in the ashtray. When we fill up with gas, get ice, etc., the money comes out of the kitty. Every one takes care of their own food and beer. When the kitty is dry, we "all" fill it back up again. If we have a flat tire, money comes out of the kitty to repair it. If there is $20 left at the end of the trip, we tell the guy to change his oil, and wash his car. When you do it this way, no one feels like they are getting screwed.

If your "friends" aren't willing to share expenses, find new ones, because they aren't worth having. You shouldn't have any problem finding guys willing to pay their "fair" share. Hate to say it, but I have to agree with your wife. When it comes to your friends, it's time for a change of scenery. If not, go on a trip with them, and keep your wallet in your pocket, and see how they like it.

It's a 50/50 deal guy's.Ya split the gas,ramp fee,bait ect.Good luck, STRIKE ZONE

Driftboat,
Your buddies are taking advantage of you all the way.
1.)You should NEVER have to even ask them to help split the cost, they should offer.
2.)Even after helping offset the cost, they should offer to buy you lunch or something.
3.)a person can`t be taken of advantage of unless they allow it.
4.)Find some new fishing buddies.

Find some new friends! I've never owned more than a rowboat for marsh hunting, but I've enjoyed many a day fishing salmon on sleds. I offer to pay gas even with guys I've fished with since childhood! Some of my buddies feel funny about taking cash because they'd be out there with or without me. Then I offer to bring the food or do the driving next time we don't need the boat.

You have to work it out with whatever is comfortable for you. There should be a little give on all sides, whether it's handing over some cash or picking up some bills along the way.

Just a note for all you guys going along as riders... offer to bring lunch and do it right. A bag of Doritos and a six pack won't cut it! A buddy back home has a 24' sled and would never take money for gas. I brought lunch for all four of us. Lunch included a couple buckets of fried chicken, a cooler of sodas, some potato salad, a couple bags of chips, a bag of peanuts, and a homemade chocolate cheesecake. That doesn't include the box of donuts and coffee I brought to the launch.

Where I come from, you take care of good friends like they're family... even if it means leaving them at home to learn a lesson about manners!

Ask your buds...do ya want my boat payment (including insurance), or do ya wanna fork up 10 bucks for gas?? If they dont, you find a small sand bar out in the middle of no where and tell em to jump out and fish the other side - ya just saw a big fish roll... You wont believe the look when they hear that jet sound get farther and farther away!

Owning and maintaining a boat is expensive! Guests should pay for at least half the gas and be happy about it. They are still getting off really cheap with that. When I go in someone elses boat, I feel I should pay for most or all the gas.

Big D ... come on down and fish with me!!!! A bucket of chicken and potato salad?!!!!!I'm not being sarcastic. I'd like a partner who kicks in like you. Personally, I run a free guide service out of Warren Oregon.Fully outfitted. I fill my Expediton $70. Fill my SuperVee$90.Merc oil, bait, terminal tackle, launch, ice, snacks...an easy $50. Wear and tear on your rig. Your boat smackin' the dock. One trip down to Till-nook and back - its time to reload. My pals are so used to being pre-rigged and ready, using my gear, they actually have the nerve to complain, asking if we have some better lures to try. I sometimes wonder if my pals even know where to purchase fishin' tackle.I don't even want their cash. Just an offer would be nice! Doesn't everyone act quiet and evasive when you stop for gas! Oooh...the ultimate trip...someone else invests in a boat and invites me along! Actually, I enjoy running a big show and helping people catch fish. But it would sure be nice for others to help out. Haven't charged guide fees in a while. Wonder how much I could collect per sport (client)?