With the cost of fuel rising all of us are aware of how much a day on the water can add up. Here are a few suggestions to keep cash in your wallet longer - or at least until you walk in the tackle shop anyway.
1) Plan ahead: Choose a launch spot close to where you want to fish.
2) Get a fishing buddy – the same thing that works in the commuter lane on the freeway works on the water. One boat costs half as much as two. Here is an educational video.
3) Keep the weight down - how many friggin' colors of robo worms do you need anyway? A lighter bass boat is a more efficient bass boat. Close your live well before you get in the water. Water weight in the live well can really add up at over 8 lbs. per gallon, so don’t fill it up unless you need it. If you can, keep less gas in the boat tank. If my boat holds 50 gallons, and I only need 25 – that’s over 200 pounds of dead weight.
4) Consider your prop – a prop that’s been damaged and not running in a completely smooth action through the water can take more energy to move.
5) Stay on the trolling motor while you can.
6) Control your speed. According to some sources, you’ll use half as much gas at 45 MPH as at 65 MPH with a 225 HP outboard. Slow down - you're not a Nascar driver, whats the hurry anyway?
7)Don’t idle at the dock or launch ramp. That's just wasting gas.
8) Get a motor tune –up; if you are running an older 2 stroke motor a few small things like changing the plugs and or corroded leads can conserve gas by burning more efficiently.
If none of this helps buy a float tube and stop bitching.
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