As summer boating season begins, there is no sign that high fuel prices will drop anytime soon to the pre-Iran War levels of late February and early March.
Boaters, recreational anglers and charter captains have felt the pinch at the pump this spring, with those making their money on the water feeling it the most. Charter captains have held the line so far when it comes to raising rates or implementing a fuel charge but they may soon have no choice, the captains told TCPalm.
“It’s getting crazy,” Stuart-based captain Mike Holliday said. “At some point everyone is going to have to raise their rates. It’s impacted me, and it’s noticeable.”
Florida fuel prices stay high, impacting fishing
The fuel price increase has cost Holliday at least $40 extra a trip, he said. Holliday operates a smaller boat with a four-stroke engine and charges $600 for a half day, $800 for three-quarter-day trip and $1,000 for full day inshore fishing trip and $700 for half day and $1,000 three-quarter-day offshore trip.
“I am getting to time of the year where I have to run further,” he said. “I am not going to let fuel price dictate what I do. I will go where ever I have to go, but this is eating into my profit.”
Holliday is doing his research and shopping around marinas when it comes buying gas. “I will travel the extra miles for fuel if it can save me $40 a day,” he said.
Florida charter captains consider fuel charges
Capt. Rocky Carbia, who operates the the Safari 1 head boat from Pirate’s Cove Resort & Marina in Stuart, has yet to increase prices or exact fuel charge, but if prices don’t drop in a month he will have to, he told TCPalm. Safari charges $80 per adult angler and $70 for kids 15 and under.
“We’re riding it out for the short term, and hoping for the best in the next couple weeks,” Carbia told TCPalm.
Scott Fawcett, of Off the Chain Charters in Stuart, also does not know how long he can hold down prices or not implement a fuel tax.
“It’s definitely affected my pocketbook,” Fawcett said. “Inevitably, I am going to have raise rates. I have thought about it every day for the past two months.”
Florida is boating and sportfishing capital
It’s not uncommon for Fawcett to burn 50 gallons a day running his company’s 32-foot boat, and could be as much as 100 gallons when running the 39-foot boat. He recently fished a mahi (dolphin) tournament where they trolled and used 10 gallons an hour, running from 6 a.m. to to 4 p.m. That was easily a 140-gallon day trolling, he said.
Fawcett charges $1,400 half day, $1,800 for for three-quarters and $2,100 for full day trip on 39-foot vessel; and $1,000 half day, $1,300 for three-quarters and $1,500 for full day trip on the 32-foot boat.
Fuel prices have not impacted Keith Palant, a Stuart Rod & Reel Club member and recreational angler, enough to change his boating habits.
“I am lucky I can afford it,” Palant said. “The guys in the club are still going out. One guy just got back from the Bahamas.”
Boat fuel prices per gallon on May 29:
Fuel prices have not kept people from renting boats at Treasure Coast Boat Rentals in Fort Pierce, owner Erick Parrish said. He rented all six of his boats on all three days Memorial Day weekend. One of the boats rented burned an entire 40-gallon tank, which would equate to nearly $240 in gas by Fort Pierce marina prices.
Fishing and boating are important to Florida’s economy, generating $13.8 billion a year and supporting 120,000 jobs, according to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Florida also has led the nation in boat ownership, with 1.2 million boat registrations.
Tim O’Hara is TCPalm’s environment reporter. Contact him at tim.ohara@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida gas prices affect fishing, boating as fuel prices remain high
Reporting by Timothy O’Hara, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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