How are you dealing with the rising price of gas?

[Gill-T]

I am wondering if we all might take less trips to the lake this year. To reduce gas consumption I am making arrangements to have my boat storage at the ports I plan to fish. I like to have my boat closer so I can work on my boat when needed but not this year. 

[fisherdude]

High gas prices during Biden Administration came as a shock to all . I don't believe it's such a shock as it was with Biden Administration not that the higher prices are not affecting what people do

no one's happy about it. If it stops Iran from having enriched uranium weapons grade iam good with it. 

[LongLine]

Amazing how some just want to interject their politics into every discussion rather than constructive suggestions.

I'd suggest:
1. Make sure your tires are properly inflated.  
2. Regrease your trailer bearings.
3. Don't use 4-wheel drive until you really need it.
4. Get your boat up on plane fast then back off the throttle.  2/3 throttle is much more economical that full speed.
5. Use your kicker more than main engine.
 

[HB2]

It amazes me that people are going to complain about higher fuel prices for 6 figure trucks and boats . Believe me I'm not liking it . 

 Agree or disagree , we are in a war . Back in my father's day they had food rationing , couldn't get tires or even fish hooks for that matter . Everything went to the war effort . 

I hope nothing bad happens because I really don't think we have the stomach for it.  

 

If you you can't afford the fuel , maybe a Magda pro instead of Saltist  . Or use the lures you have instead of new stuff . And here's a novel idea , eat the fish you catch . 

[GAMBLER]

It will not change a thing for me.  Thank god for my 9,9 Honda.  

[Josh A]

I dont have a kicker just the ol merc cruiser.  Ill get it out there but certainly not as much.  Usually the wind is so bad on my days off i cant go anyway 😂

[Between the lakes]

I went to a 4 day work week, 125 mile commute and one day's gas savings is noticible

[sherman brown]

It makes me cry when we plan to go up to Erie this year at 10 MPG, going 360 miles each way. We may have to cancel the trip altogether. But boat gas will be much better now than when we used my old boat and trolled with my 350 Vortec, than using the new too-us boat, trolling with a 9.9 4-stroke Mercury. But we will still have to use the 350 260 HP to run in and out 10 to 16 miles each way and every day we fish.

 

My wife and I are both on a fixed income 

[ChrisS]

I've worked from home for the last 3+ years and rarely drive more than 6k miles a year. And that's mostly dragging the boat to the launch and back.

[Gator]

Like most, I'm bending over and taking it.

 

I love our 20+ year old Yamaha 200 four stroke. She's a six cylinder, but to my understanding shuts down to two for trolling. Very cool way to sip gas.

[LongLine]

Consider your trolling path.  Do you really catch more fish trolling into the wind?  It definitely takes higher RPM and more fuel going into the wind than trolling with or across the wind. 
 

[Gill-T]

3 hours ago, sherman brown said:

It makes me cry when we plan to go up to Erie this year at 10 MPG, going 360 miles each way. We may have to cancel the trip altogether. But boat gas will be much better now than when we used my old boat and trolled with my 350 Vortec, than using the new too-us boat, trolling with a 9.9 4-stroke Mercury. But we will still have to use the 350 260 HP to run in and out 10 to 16 miles each way and every day we fish.

 

My wife and I are both on a fixed income 

Consider inviting another person to help pay for gas. 

[Shakemsam]

Its not as high as its been years past, regardless of the reason. I didnt fish any less then or any place different, and still trailered to the Islands for camping twice a year.

[Silver Fox]

22 hours ago, LongLine said:

Consider your trolling path.  Do you really catch more fish trolling into the wind?  It definitely takes higher RPM and more fuel going into the wind than trolling with or across the wind. 
 

If I have to worry about not trolling into the waves to save gas then please take me “behind the woodshed”……

[Earl28]

Party boat app for each marine.

[HB2]

On 4/6/2026 at 1:50 PM, LongLine said:

Consider your trolling path.  Do you really catch more fish trolling into the wind?  It definitely takes higher RPM and more fuel going into the wind than trolling with or across the wind. 
 

And that's a ridiculous statement . 

If you go out of port and just go with the wind , you could get pushed down 15 miles or so by the wind and current . Then you have to battle the waves at full power on plane to get back to port . Not well thought out .

 

 

[LongLine]

Trick is to use wind to your advantage.  Which of the following paths might save you some gas...especially on a 15-mile troll? 

(also save some bouncing around)

 

 

[HB2]

That trolling route looks like a road map to Georgia. 

 

If I'm spending all the money on everything associated with the outing , I'm not going to worry about a gallon of gas . 

 

[FV-IN-DEPTH]

Just go fish, big kings are waiting to be hooked and that's worth every penny I own.....

[GAMBLER]

17 hours ago, LongLine said:

Trick is to use wind to your advantage.  Which of the following paths might save you some gas...especially on a 15-mile troll? 

(also save some bouncing around)

 

 

If the less wind troll saves gas but catches less fish, I'll spend more money in gas.  I laker fish in the direction they bite best then pick up and run back.  It burns more gas but it produces way more fish.  If you are out there to catch fish, $20 in gas shouldn't be that detrimental.  

[Gill-T]

And if you are keeping your fish, the faster you catch your limit, the faster you are off the water and not burning gas. It is the same argument for buying herring strips. 

[LongLine]

Two colors:  Black is the run to the fishing ground and direction, blue is a troll path for salmon. Most guys end their troll with a "scoot" back to port or weigh-in, based on 60+ yrs of observation... But each to his own...

 

Other suggestions to save some gas:

1. Keep your hull clean.  Don't let slime build up on it.
2. Consider Gel or wax the bottom of your boat more frequently. (lower unit & prop?)
3. Consider using tilt/trim for speed control rather than RPM.
4. Reduce excess fishing gear.  If you have 2 riggers, why carry 5 weights?
5. Store gear in back and/or to the sides rather than in the bow. (Balance, don't plow)
6. Consider a season launch pass rather than paying for individual launches.(veteran's, senior, local or disability discounts?) Consider state launch pass.
 

To those who like higher prices..."Enjoy them!".  I simply offer some suggestions as to how to save a little money and a subject for others to complain about. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Shattered]

I will keep filling the tanks, and keep fishing. Business as usual. 

Edited April 8 by Shattered

[Gill-T]

I like the enthusiasm Tom. 

[HB2]

5 hours ago, Shattered said:

I will keep filling the tanks, and keep fishing. Business as usual. 

Not all of us have a big ass . Larry , if I had your money , I'd throw mine away . 

 

I am seriously thinking about getting some big oars . 

 

I fish out of my 12 ftr all the time and I row that . So why not ?