With the rise and fall of gas prices, how will this effect your fishing time on the water this year?  Add that to the cost of tournaments...WOWser.  Does anyone know how to get a gas station to sponsor product?...lol

I know with me I dont run it as hard as I did before. After pumping in $86.75 worth of gas, I dont feel the need to run 68 anymore!

I'm probably going to whine a little louder about it but it probably won't change the way I fish much. I fish about 20-30 tournaments a year and the gas "hurts" any way you look at it with a 50 gal. tank on the boat and 26 on the truck. Speaking of gas, can anyone tell me if I am wasting my money by putting the "good stuff" in my boat? I have always heard you should run the hi test in boat motors. I have a 2000 Merc. 175 EFI. Just curious,

Snag

No, there are more important things in this life than how much you spend on gas, like fishing.  

Well, I just upgraded my boat and motor. I Took Angler of the year in one club and Runner up in the other in a Bass Tracker. So I went from a 40HP to a 150 HP. I did aweful well consolidating my fishing to a few close areas. With sometimes a one long milk run built in. Now I can visit more spots but is it worth the time with the bait in the water.... Interesting thought.  I think I will used a managed effecient time approach. One long run if required if I have several locations in the same area. Makiing long runs in the Tracker only made sense if I had more than one area. I would say this would make the same sense for the big boat. No, money wont be a factor.

Snag,

Save yourself some money run the lower octaine gas is what i have always been told from boat dealers. Also avoid gas with ethenol in it

Is avoiding gas with ethenol in it possible in the midwest?

No, gasoline prices will not affect the use of my boat and motor.  Once on the water I forget the cost of the fuel and associated upkeep items. I then remember them when the Exxon bill arrives the next month! But the memories of being on the water, using various tatics against the fish, the fellowship with my fellow anglers, no telelphones, no wife, no kids, no office, no clients, no televisions, no radios and only beautiful secenry and a fun day on the water will erase all memories of the price of oil and gasoline.  I consider the overhead costs as mental health insurance!

Well come spring I think I will fish more than I did last year. Around here gas goes up every thursday like clockwork then drops back on tuesday. I try to fill up on off days or out of town. I think I would drive my wife nuts if I didn't fish or if the price of gas dictated how often I did go.

My Triton has a 56 gallon gas tank and it gets a little expensive filling that thing up. But I don't let that affect how I fish. If I think I can win by running 150 miles, I'll do it.

JT Bagwell

Well put J.T.  

It's not going to affect my fishing, but it will have a strong affect on who drives.

[quote can anyone tell me if I am wasting my money by putting the "good stuff" in my boat? I have always heard you should run the hi test in boat motors. I have a 2000 Merc. 175 EFI. Just curious,

Snag

Thanks for the replies all on the octane.. My motor is due for a tune up this spring anyhow so I can have them get everything set to a "T". Hopefully the cheaper stuff will work.