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Gas-n-Bass

Category: article

 Jun 4th, 2008 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Jun 4th, 2008 at 12:00 AM

	Skeet Reese hasn't been affected by the gas crunch, but most will (Bass Communications Photo)

Sure, when any of you started fishing for bass low those many years ago thinking about gas prices wasn't one of the key elements to your decision whether or not to hit the water. You gassed up and backed your boat into the water.

You saved up for years to be able to afford your pride and joy. No more fishing from the shore, no more wading, at least if you didn't have to, and a feeling of finally getting where you wanted to be in your fishing.

Times have sure changed. With gas prices well over $4.00 per gallon, and talk of $5.00 in the future, the idea of filling up your favorite boat's 30 gallon tank and burning fuel aimlessly while tooling around searching for a few fish isn't something many of us will be doing anymore.

Sure, if we are fishing tournaments we have to do what we have to do to win. Lucky Craft Pro Skeet Reese didn't feel the gas prices would impact his fishing. "Honestly, I'm not going to change anything in my fishing," said Reese. "I'm fortunate enough to be in a financial situation right now where I don't need to worry about it while I'm fishing a tournament." Most anglers aren't that fortunate. In fact, the price of gas has been predicted by many to eventually lessen the number of anglers on the various tournament trails throughout the country.

If your love of bass fishing doesn't include fishing tournaments, then don't worry, there are still plenty of low cost fishing opportunities for you and your family. Try fishing smaller bodies of water and use your electric motor more often. Rent or purchase a canoe or kayak to get around the smaller bodies of water. Or, if you are fortunate enough to have a smaller wadeable river available, get in the water to experience some fierce hand-to-hand bassin'. It's all about getting back to the basics.

The bottom-line is that the gas price crunch will impact your bass fishing from a boat. Don't give up, keep fishing, and make shorter runs. You can also fish smaller bodies of water or get back to your roots and leave the boat at home.