Fuel Prices Putting a Dent in Your Fishing?
By Mark Fike

The answer to the question above for me is a resounding, “Yes!” Unfortunately the doubling of gas prices has me seriously planning trips before I take them these days. We all love to fish and we all hate to give up a trip but money is money and unless you have an unlimited supply the name of the game these days is planning.

I recently received a press release from BoatUS, which is a membership based advocacy group for recreational boaters. In the press release there were tips for saving gas while on the water. I thought the press release was timely and decided to pass along the tips they sent me and add a few more that I have gleaned from organizations and personal experience along the way.

Truck and trailer

• When trailering to and from your fishing spot, be sure to have your truck tuned up. That includes the gap on the plugs, clean air filter, oil changed etc…
• Be sure to have tires inflated properly. Tires that are under inflated could cost you a few miles per gallon
• Leave all unnecessary gear at home. The heavier the load the less fuel efficient particularly if you are going through hilly country.
• Load your truck bed and boat to make it as streamlined as possible. Reduce any drag you may create with extra gear.
• Don’t stick your foot into the accelerator unless you have to do so. Keep a nice even pace and let the truck coast down long hills as much as possible.

Boating on the Water
These tips came from BoatU.S.

• As with the truck and trailer, leave unnecessary gear at home.
• Keep the boat tuned up properly
• Check that prop. If it is dinged up then replace it. Even losing a few miles per hour speed due to a bent prop can cut fuel efficiency substantially.
• Use the tide and ride with it. If possible plan trips to be able to drift for your favorite fish with the tide to bring you closer to the dock as you finish up.
• Keep your boat bottom clean. Any unnecessary drag is cutting fuel efficiency.
• Don’t push the throttle to the max. Make a good cruising speed to get on plane and enjoy the ride.
• Load your boat properly to get the best ride and trim it out to reduce drag as you motor along.

The next tip came directly from BoatU.S.:
Get a discount: Many of the 885 BoatU.S. Cooperating Marinas around the country offer up to 10 cents off a gallon of gas. To get the discount all you have to do is to show your BoatU.S. membership card. If you aren't already a member, join online now for a special rate of $19.00 by going to BoatUS.com/membership or call 800-395-2628.

The last tip has a lot of benefits. The next time you go fishing take a buddy with you and split up the cost of the gas. Not only will you have someone to share costs with but also someone will be there to take photos of your fish and share the memory with you. Who knows, if you can get your stories straight you can agree to tell everyone who did not go about the big one that got away. Good fishing!