Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 06/15/08: Bass Fishing Tips on Saving Gas

Gasoline in the United States is at an all time high of $4 a gallon as of June 2008. Jobs are becoming hard to come by as unemployment soars to 5.5%. Food costs soar as well as many other commodities. The housing market has crushed many a home owner and foreclosures are also at record highs.

Bass fishermen are especially hard hit with the high gas prices and can't afford to make the long trips to the lakes and on the lakes. Many boaters and fishermen are simply giving up and selling their boats so they can put food on the table.

What can we do to lessen the pain of the economic downturn and still fish at a reasonable cost? Here's some tips to lower your fuel costs.

1- Fish closer to home. Find the lakes and rivers that are close to home by using Google maps.

2- Club and tournament bass fishermen speak your mind. Get your trail or club to fish closer to home until the economy improves. If they won't, consider starting your own local trail.

3- If in the market for a new boat or motor, look at the engines that give you the best gas mileage. You may want to downsize that 225 hp to something smaller (Ouch!).

4- Look at buying a used smaller jon boat for the local trail. This will save a lot on gas.

5- On small lakes, why not just use your trolling motor instead of firing up the big beast.

6- Consider downsizing your Crew cab 4x4 which can pass anyone in the 1/4 mile to something smaller with ample towing capacity. This may mean that you won't have the biggest and baddest tow vehicle in the club, but you'll still have food on the table.

7- Usually smaller engines in tow vehicles can burn regular gasoline, so take that into consideration as well.

8- Try some local pond fishing without a boat. You will often be surprised in how much fun you had!

If you have any other gas saving tips, send me an e-mail at largemouthherald@floridabassfishing.us or post on the forum .

So as always, do more catching with less fishing (and gas) and come back for some more great bass fishing tips.

The Largemouth Herald