High fuel prices give advantage to kayak fishing

[J.A. Veil]

Over the past 30 years, I owned many boats from a 10' jonboat to a 23' Parker. All required gasoline to power the boat. My current fleet of vessels consists of two 11' paddle kayaks, either one of which fits fully inside my minivan. My only fuel costs are to power my 6-cylinder minivan to get me to and from launch spots (typically 24 to 28 mpg on the highway). There are many reasons why I enjoy kayak fishing. With the recent increase in fuel costs and no end in sight, my decision to stick with human-powered vessels looks prudent. Plus I don't need a gas-guzzling tow vehicle to get me to the water.

I anticipate that power boats will get used less often this year, with more anglers turning to kayaks to get them on the water. It will be interesting to watch how things progress.

[Mark]

Shades of the 1970s-era gas price hikes.

Let's hope lines at the pumps and even/odd gas days are not in our future.

Otherwise, I'm happy to share the water with more kayak anglers.

Perhaps some who forgo their motorboats for kayaks will improve their angling skills when they can no longer run and gun to find willing fish.

[DanMarino]

Oh, man! I was a little kid during the 1970's gas shortage. I remember my parents being stressed about fueling our two automobiles. I also remember my parents cutting back the thermostat and them not heating a couple levels of our home. They even moved the television set up to the living room, because the family room was too cold. Not fun times.

Yesterday I was thinking about my fishing plans and had determined that I will likely not drive very far to fish and will focus on local streams and ponds to save on gas.

[moc]

Not only will human powered water vessels like kayaks and canoes increase in use vs the motor boaters, but I think the use of electric motors on small water vessels like kayak will get a bost in sales and use (assuming you can buy a motor or fully electric kayak). Especially to increase fishing ranges, and to lengthen the kayaking years as we get older and have weakening parts to our body. I know several kayaker who switched from peddle or paddle kayaks to fully electric or partially electric kayaks because of bad knees and joints.

[Mark]

Tom -- Sometimes the "good old days" weren't so good. My concern during that era was keeping enough gas in my 10-gallon Pinto tank for my 52-mile roundtrip commute to the University of Maryland. Of course, what I didn't know until years later is that that very gas tank, ill placed by Ford, made my Pinto into a rolling bomb.

Martin -- I think your observation is correct.