re: Charter trip question

sounds to me like you are going on a bottom fishing trip for snapper, amberjack, etc....if that is the case, the deckhand basically just baits your hooks and takes fish off (both of which can be kind of difficult for folks who aren't used to doing that type of thing)....if you have more than a person or two on the boat that is not an experienced fisherman, then I would probably get a deckhand to help out...

I would tip 15 - 20% of total cost, as long as they work their asses off...

also, you need to be very clear on what is included in your trip, as some rates include fuel, ice and fish cleaning and some don't....you just need to know up front, what is included since some of these costs can be substantial....