The Big Bend Saltwater Classic held every Father's Day weekend draws father and son teams from across the southeast.

It features spectacular fish and a huge jackpot, but this year with fuel prices sitting at record-breaking highs, it costs a pretty just to get on the water. It's been deemed the fastest growing fishing tournament in Florida.

$1,800 is the price they pay to burn 450-gallons of fuel on a two day fishing adventure.

Randy Fulater, a sport fisherman, says, “It's worth it; if you're going to have fun it's going to cost you.”

For this Crawfordville team, forking over a couple grand for a fishing competition is no big deal, but that enjoyment isn't shared on board the Cat V.

A.P. Whaley makes a living running his charter boat to and from Dog Island, but a recent rise at the pump has left his boat idling. He says it's become an exercise in futility.

“I'll just keep on doing it till I go completely broke I guess. When you have a fisherman or waterman mentality you just keep going till you run out of money,” he says.