Gas Prices

[Anthony Adams]

Hello Members I posted on the ABA national board and would like our members to also discuss this here.

Please keep it clean... and please don't complain lets just talk about the issue at hand.

Here is what I posted on the National board.

http://www.americanbassanglers.com/vb/showthread.php?p=24315#post24315

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Hey everyone.

I am looking for a tactful way to discuss the rising gas prices.

I do not wish for this thread to turn into a place for people to complain about being stiffed.

I want to openly discuss the problem and what boaters and non-boaters feel is the best way to address the issues involved with the gas price problems.

I am hoping this thread can be used to better understand the inflated costs and what can be done to create less conflict over this issue.

Lets talk about:

1) The average costs it takes for a boater to fish an ABA event?
2) What anglers are doing to reduce these costs?
3) What directors are doing to reduce the costs?
4) What the Gas price is in your area?

In Michigan the Gas prices are 3.49 a gallon and a day on Lake St. Clair costs the average member about 80$ in just boat gas. For me the average practice day costs me around 150$ in boat and truck gas prices. Not to mention launch fees, pop, snacks etc ..

The sport is becoming more and more costly and I would like to know what others are doing to help them reduce the costs?

[Durand Dan]

I posted the way I'm going to approach the situation in another area the other day. I'm going to confine my fishing to inland lakes and stay away from the big water. I haven't really fished St. Clair and Erie so I don't know what I'm missing anyway. With the entry fee, truck gas and boat gas, even with my boat your talking close to $200 day on the big water. Fishing Fenton, Lobdell, Kent, Nepessing and other local lakes I can get away a lot cheaper as a boater or a co-angler.

[motocross269]

In one way the gas prices may be good for the ABA.  I have signed up to fish BFL this year.  I really want to fish ABA, but I am limited with time off.
Next year if gas prices are high I am going to look hard into fishing the eastern region.(ABA)  I live just north of detroit. The main reason I didn't sign up this year was the delay in the schedule had me concerned.
I really see myself fishing ABA next year and the FLW and Stren Tournament on the Detroit river if these gas prices don't settle.  I guess I have this year to see how it goes.   
Just my thoughts.

[joshimoto son]

I'm thinking about getting a third job.

My first job is an engineering position at a metal fabrication shop.

My second job is fishing. (It doesn't pay very well, but I put in a lot of hours a week to call it part time for sure.)

Maybe another one this winter after 5:00pm or weekends, to help pay for next year.

Guys... and gals. If you want to do it bad enough... you'll find a way.

Geesh, I almost went Jerry Mcguire on you all.

joshimoto son 

[Revtro]

The way I'm approaching the problem is to take a more blunt approach with whoever rides with me.  I've been a little more vocal about what it costs me and I am being fairly aggressive and asking for at least $30 when we fish the big water.  I hate to do it and it's a bit uncomfortable, but I found one thing that works fairly well.  When they ask me what I'd like for gas, I just tell them honestly what my gas expenses (including the truck) were for the day.  If it's $80, I just say so.  Usually they'll get the hint and chip in a little more.  After all, who wants to be the one to say "$80, wow that's a lot... here's 10 to help out".  But if someone does say that, I'll make no bones about asking for more.  It's just the way it has to be now.  There was a time when I'd regularly refuse the gas money that was offered.  Those days are unfortunately gone. 

Anthony, I totally agree with you.  I hope this thread doesn't turn into a gripe session.  We've already had a few of them and nothing good comes from it.  It is what it is and we'll find a way to make the best of it.

[motocross269]

My bass Club sets a standard amount for Co-anglers.  In some ways I think that is good in other ways it may be bad.  I think it is a little low right now.
(25 dollars).  We only fish a couple of big lakes and the rest are pretty small so maybe it will even out.
In the BFL events I am going to put 40 dollars in an envelope and the Boater can adjust from there.  I figure that is a deal to fish in someones, brand new boat.  As far as the gas getting to the event I really don't think that should be taken into consideration.  I will also be driving a truck to the events with a boat to pre-fish out of and hopefully that may benefit both of us.  In my mind I am more apt to think I am paying not only for the gas for the day, but part of the use of that high dollar boat.  So 40-50 dollars is a steal to fish in a nice boat.
Just my opinion.

[Skip Johnson]

in the past I usualy refuse or just say $20 will cover it but its getting to a point that $30 or $40 doesnt cover half the boat fuel and oil, I dont count my truck gas becouse the co angler has to drive to the lake also.
if the co angler wants his 4 hours on a different part of the lake I will tell him straight up from now on that its going to be $30 to $50 for his share but if he/she  is willing to fish my stuff all day I think $25 to $30 is pretty fair especialy considering theyre fishing with someone who prefished the lake twice this week and already spent $120 locating fish that they get to fish for and have a better chance at cashing a check.
my 21ft skeeter gets about 2 to 2 1/2 miles per gallon at 60+mph and 3 mpg at 40 mph depending on lake conditions and distance I most likeley wont run under 60 in a tournament becouse that extra few minutes of fishing time can definitley make a difference.

[motocross269]

I agree with Revtro.  I would want the Boater to be up front with me on the amount of money that he thinks is fair.(and anything else pertaining to the day)
Bottom line for me is I want the boater at the end of the day to think I was a good Co-Angler and he enjoyed his time spent fishing with me.  I don't want him to think that I stiffed him or I was a slob on his boat.  Word travels fast.
I really don't think an organazation should set the Dollar amount per tourney.  In the long run the boaters may lose out.  I don't know, it has been a long time since I tourney fished and there may be alot of Cos stiffing their boaters.  I would hope not though.  

[Anthony Adams]

Guys your doing a great job with the thread and I wanted to just touch base on the issue at hand so everyone can get a perspective on the issue.

Let me add .....

The ABA rules state that the co-angler must pay 1/2 the gas expenses (with-in reason)... meaning half the Boat Gas ...

We don't include oil, truck or practice money as part of what we expect .... however I wanted to get a feel for how much people are spending.

I rarely take money from my co-angler but I am finding it harder and harder to do so.

Next year I am planning to tighten up our schedule some to help reduce this problem.

This is the reason why I took Wixom, and Erie off this year.

[yukonjack2]

I think it is an uncomfortable situation, but needs to be addressed with th coangler upfront - lets split the gas for what we use.  Just reset the GPs and figure your 2.5-3.5 Mpg on most motors.  Oh - don't forget the 1/2 gallon of 2-stroke at $20 plus these days.  also - saw gas hit $2.59 in Detroit this weekend.  Can anyone say $4 by the holiday? 

Here is a website to help everyone find the lowest gas prices in your area - just punch in your zip-code.  I hope it helps!

[url="http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src="Netx"]http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src="Netx[/url]

Jack

[Skulley]

Because I get very uncomfortable asking for money and at times even accepting money, I tend to fish more with my kids or by myself.  I bought my boat for my and my families enjoyment, not any one elses.  I know that sounds selfish, but it is how I feel about things since the dip in the economy.  I still have to support my family first. 

I don't even like to fish my clubs tournaments.  Gas prices have really change the "complexion" of the whole fishing scene here in Michigan.  It is too bad because everything economically is suffering.

BD           

[bosshawg]

 i myself cutting back on the open tournaments. tuesday nite NBAA (will alternate boats w/partner), 2 out of 3 NBAA '1 on 1' and club tournaments i will be fishing mainly. am doing federation (BASS) classic on wixom, but fishing w/friend, his boat. so yeah these prices effecting my season for sure.