High costs may mean more floating than boating

[Hamilton Reef]

High costs may mean more floating than boating

Charter boat captains are putzing toward lake perch instead of speeding to the hot-spot fishing holes. Marina owners are suffering from vacant slips and a slow-down in new boat sales.

Matt Whitney, a 35-year veteran fisherman who owns Grand Isle Marina-based Whitney Charters, said business is down — mostly due to high fuel costs.

"We definitely feel it," said Whitney, who averages a $160 to $165 fuel expenditure for a six-hour charter fishing outing. "It's having a huge impact on us cost-wise. We can't run as far anymore — not and stay in business anyway."

Whitney said he was forced to hike his $420 fishing trip price last year to $450 this season.

http://www.grandhaventribune.com/paid/320983152580563.bsp

[john warren]

exactly why i dumped my big gas hog of a lund and went to a sailboat.
takes longer to get to fishing areas, but i can fish as long as i want . for the whole day,,or a week and it costs nothing.

[BassFisher91]

Let's stop the bitching at eachother and talk about boats and boating. M-S.com is usually full of happy people, willing to speak their minds, but know not to get into fights, for we all have some common in eachother, why can't you two do the same? You're just making this place look bad.

[Hamilton Reef]

High gas prices hit Great Lakes sportfishing

MANISTEE — High gas prices being faced by drivers across the country also are being felt in the Great Lakes sportfishing industry, where some say tournament entries are down and charter boat excursions are being scrapped.

The increase in fuel prices to above the $4 a gallon mark has resulted in fewer boats on the lakes, fewer lines in the water and a decrease in the number of fish being reeled in, the News Advocate reported.

http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2008/06/high_gas_prices_hit_great_lake.html