Local charter boat captains, finding themselves out of the driver's seat when it comes to rising fuel prices, have shifted gears so their businesses do not sink.

This dire situation has forced many captains to rethink many of their business strategies.

Charter fishing intrigues both the casual fisherman and the trophy angler with exciting offshore opportunities most people usually cannot consider on their own.

However, these trips back and forth to hot fishing spots are taking their toll on the gas tanks and charter captains' profit margins.

"I get about ½ or ¾ gallon to the mile, with the two engines," captain Dale Coleman of the "Happi Hooker" said. "You go six miles out, you lose half your profit right there, then you have to pay your crew."

Coleman now prefers the full-day trips which usually run 8-10 hours.

Of course, the client always has the option of a full- or half-day trip.

"Overall, it's getting tough to even make a buck on a five-hour trip," Coleman said.

Coleman, who serves as treasurer of the Fishing Charters of Racine, an association of charter captains, worries not only for the present, but about the continual climb in fuel costs and its effect on his bottom line.

"Another 50 cents will make it pretty tough," Coleman said.

Captain Pete Mauer of "Reel Fun II," said the problem of inflated gas prices is not unique to the Port of Racine.

"It's bad, all the way up and down the shoreline, not just here," Mauer said after a recent trip to Two Rivers. "I bet it's bad even over on Lake Erie."

The cost for a charter aboard the "Reel Fun II" is $50 more this year over last year, but "still that's just not covering it," Mauer said. A charter costs $500 for six people.

High costs discourage tourism

The high gas prices not only affect the fuel costs for boats and anglers, they also discourage tourists from driving in from other Midwestern states to take a shot at Lake Michigan fishing.

Mauer, president of the Port of Racine Charter Captains Association, which regulates the inspections for boats and drug tests for all the charters in the Racine area, already has experienced a huge drop in business over last year.

In 2007, Mauer had 75 trips over the course of the season; this year only 30 trips have been planned. Taking it a step further, in May 2007 Mauer had 11 charter trips aboard the "Reel Fun II." In May 2008, Mauer had only two outings.

"That's a big difference," Mauer said. "They just don't want to make the trip, or can't."

The Port of Racine Charter Captains Association recently received a certificate for a national-best eight consecutive years of 100 percent compliance from the United States Coast Guard and continues to be a model for safety and professionalism in the world of charter fishing.

Mauer, a veteran of 36 years of charter boat fishing, said one solution captains have found is the use of certified gasoline tankers. These gas trucks transport gasoline from cheaper markets in the area to the harbor, where boats can fill up.

"They pull right up and fill three or four boats at a time," Mauer said. "I don't do it, but I know there are some (captains) that do."

The problem with this alternative is that "street gas" does not include the necessary additives, such as Valvtect, found in marine fuel provided by Pugh's and Reefpoint marinas. Additives are marketed to increase engine life, reduce maintenance and improve air quality by reducing emissions.

"They think they don't need it," Mauer said. "Many guys think they are saving 15 to 20 cents a gallon, but I tell you what, it's not worth it to me."

However, Mauer does agree with other captains that nothing should get in the way of finding fish.

Customers come first

"People are here for the fun," Mauer said. "If the fish are 10-12 miles out, you go out there."

Angelo Trentadue, a Racine charter captain since 1979, also refuses to be controlled by the rising fuel costs.

"My technique for fishing has not changed," Trentadue said. "We go where the fish are biting the best. Sometimes you go out and nothing's biting, so you fire up and find another spot."

Trentadue, captain of the "Fishing Bug" also says he still prefers the five-hour trips, despite the cost of running in and out twice a day.

"I just like the shorter trips," Trentadue said.

As is the case with many other captains in the area, the situation for Trentadue becomes more desperate as the fuel prices continue to rise.

"I do not add on a fuel surcharge as some others have, but if the price of fuel goes up over $5 a gallon, I may have to increase my rates," Trentadue said.

Trentadue added that this price would affect only new bookings, not trips already on the books. But with marine gas prices in the area hovering around the $4.40 mark, the time may come sooner than most hope.

AAA's "Daily Fuel Gauge Report" reflects the extreme rise in cost within the year of mid-grade fuel, even without marine additives making it even higher.

Communication key for captains

Another solution is an increase in communication, using other captains within the association to help each other find the spots where the fish are hitting. This would allow the captains to exchange information via radio, instead of moving from spot to spot wasting valuable gasoline.

However, Trentadue argues that this has always been the case with their group of captains, which averages more than 26 years experience.

"As a member of Fishing Charters of Racine we have always communicated between one another to better serve our clients," Trentadue said. "We can only hope that the price stops going up, but that's what everyone wants."

For more information on booking a charter outing, call Fishing Charters of Racine at (262) 633-6113 or toll-free at (800) 475-6113 or visit their Web site at www.fishracine.com