There’s nothing quite like spending a day on a fishing boat, feeling the wind in your hair and the pull of the line as you reel in your catch. However, for some people, the idea of being out at sea can be daunting because they’re worried about getting seasick.
Seasickness is caused by an imbalance in the body’s equilibrium, and it can make you feel miserable and ruin your whole experience on the water. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent or manage seasickness so that you can stay comfortable and focused on catching fish.
“Prevention is key when it comes to avoiding seasickness.”
In this article, we’ll take a look at some expert tips to help you avoid or alleviate seasickness while on a fishing boat. We’ll cover everything from what to eat before your trip to which medications can help calm your stomach. With these strategies in mind, you can spend less time worrying about motion sickness and more time enjoying the thrill of fishing on the open sea.
If you’ve been hesitant to go fishing because of concerns about seasickness, don’t let your fear hold you back any longer. By following the advice in this article, you can learn how to keep yourself healthy, happy, and ready to tackle whatever waves come your way.
Choose The Right Boat
Consider Your Needs and Experience
When it comes to choosing the right boat for your fishing trip, it’s important to consider your needs and experience. Are you a seasoned angler looking for something more advanced, or are you just starting out and need a simpler setup? Are you planning on taking day trips close to shore, or would you prefer to go further out into the open ocean?
In addition to considering your level of skill and experience, you should also think about who will be joining you on the trip. Will you be going solo, or will you be bringing family or friends with varying levels of experience? Make sure the boat you choose is large enough to accommodate everyone comfortably.
Research Different Types of Boats
There are many different types of boats available for fishing trips, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Some common types include:
- Bass Boats: Designed specifically for bass fishing, these boats are usually small and fast-moving, making them perfect for smaller bodies of water.
- Cruisers: These larger boats offer plenty of space for passengers and often come equipped with amenities like bathrooms, kitchens, and sleeping quarters.
- Sport Fishing Boats: Often used for offshore fishing, these boats have larger engines and are built to handle big fish in rough waters.
- Flats Boats: Shallow-drafted and easy to maneuver, flats boats are great for fishing in shallower waters.
Do some research online or visit a local boating store to learn more about the different types of boats available and what features are best suited for your needs and experience level. You may also want to consider renting a few different types of boats before making a purchase, so you can get a feel for which one is best for you.
“A boat is just like anything else in life – it’s not what it is, but how you use it that counts.” -Unknown
Take Medication
If you’re planning on going on a fishing boat trip, taking medication is one of the most effective ways to prevent seasickness. The following over-the-counter medications are commonly used:
- Dramamine: This medicine contains the active ingredient dimenhydrinate, which helps alleviate symptoms of nausea and dizziness caused by motion sickness.
- Bonine: Antihistamines like meclizine hydrochloride help reduce vomiting and nausea.
- Scopolamine Patches: These patches go behind your ear, releasing small amounts of scopolamine that work effectively for up to 72 hours in preventing nauseousness.
“Dramamine can be very effective at treating short-term cases of mild-to-moderate seasickness,” says Monique M. Chabot, MD., “But it’s always best to check with your doctor first before trying anything new”.
Consult With Your Doctor
Taking any kind of medication should be done under careful consideration from your primary healthcare physician to ensure compatibility with your pre-existing conditions or potential side effects.
Your doctor will ascertain if medication suits your unique medical history based on factors such as age, personal health, and other medicines you might presently take. It is always good practice to let your doctor know what your plans are, even if they’re for something recreational like a deep-sea fishing excursion – especially if you suffer from chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, asthma, heart disease, or diabetes, which may increase your risk of complications while out on the sea.
Follow Dosage Instructions
When you’ve decided on medication treatment for your sickness, it’s crucial to follow the proper dosage instructions carefully. More isn’t necessarily better and taking more than the recommended dose may result in complications.
You should take your medication about one to two hours before getting on board, as this gives time for your body to absorb it correctly. According to BoatSafe.com, you will need to refresh with another dose every few hours if required since many antihistamines can last at most 24-hours duration.
According to Dr. Mauskop of Brain & Spine Neurology Centre, “Taking a double or an extra movie’s-worth of Dramamine is not only unnecessary but doubly harmful because such large doses increase drowsiness.”
If medication treatments do not work or are incompatible with your health conditions, several other methods can also prevent seasickness while fishing. Try sitting upright facing seaward, avoid reading or watching movies, eat smaller yet frequent snacks, drink water frequently, and try relaxing exercises like meditation.
Avoid Alcohol and Fatty Foods
Are you planning to go fishing on a boat? While it’s going to be an exciting adventure, there’s one thing that can take away all the fun – seasickness. Seasickness is caused by an imbalance in your inner ear, eyes, and brain, which then becomes manifest as dizziness, nausea, and even vomiting.
If you want to avoid feeling nauseous or dizzy while on a boat, one of the best things you can do is to steer clear of alcohol and fatty foods before and during your trip. Drinking alcohol and consuming fatty foods increases the likelihood of getting seasick since they can cause dehydration, lower blood sugar levels, and make digestion more difficult.
Eat a Balanced Diet
In addition to avoiding alcohol and fatty foods, eating a balanced diet will help reduce the chances of experiencing motion sickness while fishing on a boat. Make sure you eat well-balanced meals consisting of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, grains, and dairy products. It’s also a good idea to keep snacks available with you throughout the trip to maintain your blood sugar level and prevent hunger-induced nausea.
It’s important to note that you should avoid overeating, especially before heading out on the water. Overeating puts increased stress on your digestive system and can lead to feelings of discomfort and queasiness while onboard.
Avoid Drinking Alcohol Before and During Boating
While drinking alcohol might seem like a great way to relax and enjoy the time away from shore, it can quickly lead to seasickness symptoms once you step aboard. So, resist the temptation to indulge in alcoholic beverages, no matter how much others around you may want to consume them. The effects of alcohol tend to worsen to those already aboard so if you want to enjoy your fishing trip without feeling dizzy or nauseous, avoiding alcohol is the best strategy.
If you have a history of motion sickness, it’s essential to avoid drinking alcohol several days before boarding and during the trip. This will ensure that your body is at its full capacity and can deal better with any discomfort that may arise on board.
Limit Intake of Fatty Foods
In addition to abstaining from alcohol, reducing your intake of fatty foods during the boat ride can play a vital role in preventing motion sickness as well. Greasy, fried, and high-fat food such as burgers, fries, pizza, or chocolate tend to sit heavy in your stomach and slow down digestion, triggering the uncomfortable symptoms associated with seasickness.
To steer clear of these issues, consider packing sandwiches made with lean meats like turkey or chicken breast, which are easy to digest and provide the necessary protein for energy throughout the day. If you prefer snacking while fishing, go for refreshments like crackers, pretzels, nuts, dried fruits, cereal bars, or peanut butter, which all make great choices as they are light on the stomach but still packed with nutrition.
“Motion sickness occurs when contradictory messages flood our brain.”- Dr. Marc Inside
The key to not getting seasick on a fishing boat lies in maintaining proper hydration levels, eating healthy snacks, limiting alcohol consumption, and passing up greasy fare. By following these tips, you can keep your stomach calm, stay alert, and most importantly, enjoy every moment of your boat ride!
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is the key to feeling comfortable and avoiding seasickness while on a fishing boat. Not only does dehydration exacerbate nausea, but it also leads to fatigue, headaches, weakness, and other unpleasant symptoms.
If you’re planning to spend a day out on the water, here are some tips to keep you hydrated:
Drink Plenty of Water Before and During Boating
You should drink plenty of water before boarding the boat and continue drinking at regular intervals throughout the trip. It’s recommended that adults consume at least 64 ounces (8 cups) of water every day, even more if they are physically active.
Consider packing an insulated water bottle filled with ice-cold water to keep you refreshed. Take small sips frequently instead of gulping down large amounts all at once to avoid making yourself nauseous from the movement of the boat.
Avoid Caffeinated and Sugary Beverages
Caffeine and sugar cause your body to excrete water, leaving you dehydrated quickly. Energy drinks and soda brands can accomplish precisely the opposite job by overloading your body with caffeine and sugar. So it would be best to steer clear of such beverages or at least limit their consumption on board so as not to worsen any seasickness symptoms.
Instead, opt for hydrating alternatives like pure fruit juices, vegetable juice blends, coconut water or herbal infusions. These will help replenish fluids in the body lost due to heat and sun exposure.
Bring Extra Water on Board
It’s always wise to bring more water than you think you’ll need, especially when fishing in extreme temperatures. Dehydration occurs much faster under hot weather conditions and sweating while fishing contributes to dehydration. Besides, you don’t want to rely on the boat’s water tank being full or experiencing any mechanical issues that might make it difficult to obtain clean drinking water. Bring an extra gallon of cold water along with reusable bottles for all passengers.
Consider Electrolyte-Replacement Drinks
If you are spending a long time in saltwater conditions and sweating too much, plain old water won’t be enough to replenish electrolytes which includes sodium, potassium, magnesium etc., lost from body fluids. So, replacing these electrolytes by drinking fresh coconut water or sports drinks can help prevent cramps, headaches, nausea and dizziness caused by dehydration. It is best to drink these beverages slowly over some time intervals, as chugging them quickly will only upset your stomach further.
“Water and health go hand in hand. Good hydration helps our bodies regulate temperature, maintain healthy joints, and flush out toxins.” -Arianna Huffington
Drinking plenty of hydrating liquids throughout the day will help keep you feeling cool, calm, and comfortable while enjoying a fun day of fishing in the sun. Remember that prevention is better than cure when it comes to seasickness, so do not wait until you feel thirsty to start drinking fluids.
Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon
If you’ve ever been out fishing in a boat, you know that it can be an amazing experience – but it can also lead to seasickness. The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent this from happening. One of the most important tips for preventing seasickness is to keep your eyes on the horizon.
Avoid Focusing on Nearby Objects
When you focus on objects near you while on a boat, such as your phone or fishing rod, it can make you feel disoriented and dizzy. This is because your brain is trying to balance the information it’s receiving from your inner ears with what your eyes are seeing. If your eyes are focusing on something close by, rather than the distant horizon, it can throw this balance off and lead to nausea.
Scan the Horizon Regularly
To prevent seasickness, it’s important to consistently scan the horizon. This helps your brain establish a stable reference point, which can reduce feelings of motion sickness. Make sure you’re not just focused on one spot; constantly shift your gaze around, taking in the entirety of your surroundings.
Use a Fixed Object to Help Steady Your Vision
If you find that scanning the horizon isn’t helping, try using a fixed object to help steady your vision. For example, keeping your eye on the boat’s mast or a particular cloud formation can give your brain something static to focus on, reducing feelings of motion sickness.
Avoid Reading or Using Electronic Devices While Boating
Reading or using electronic devices like phones or tablets while on a boat can be incredibly distracting and can contribute to feelings of motion sickness. The small text and fast-moving images can confuse your brain even more, leading to nausea and vomiting. Instead, try enjoying the scenery or engaging in conversation with your fellow passengers.
“Over 70% of people who get motion sickness can avoid it by looking out over the horizon.” -The Mayo Clinic
By following these tips for keeping your eyes on the horizon, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting seasick while out fishing on a boat. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and keep your focus outward rather than inward, and you’ll be able to enjoy your boating trip without any discomfort!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some natural remedies to prevent seasickness on a fishing boat?
Some natural remedies to prevent seasickness on a fishing boat include ginger, peppermint, and acupressure. Ginger can be consumed as a tea or in capsule form, while peppermint can be used as an essential oil or in tea. Acupressure bands can also be worn on the wrist to alleviate nausea and dizziness.
Are there any over-the-counter medications that can help prevent seasickness?
Yes, there are several over-the-counter medications that can help prevent seasickness, including Dramamine, Bonine, and Meclizine. These medications work by blocking signals to the brain that cause nausea and dizziness. It is important to follow the recommended dosage and talk to a doctor before taking these medications, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.
What can I do to prepare for a fishing trip to prevent getting seasick?
To prepare for a fishing trip and prevent getting seasick, it is important to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol and heavy meals before the trip. It may also be helpful to bring along some ginger or peppermint to consume during the trip, as well as acupressure bands to wear on the wrist.
What are some tips for staying calm and relaxed while on a fishing boat?
Some tips for staying calm and relaxed while on a fishing boat include focusing on your breathing, listening to calming music or sounds, and practicing mindfulness. It can also be helpful to find a comfortable spot on the boat and avoid looking at anything that may trigger motion sickness, such as the horizon or other boats.
How can I adjust my diet to reduce the likelihood of getting seasick?
You can adjust your diet to reduce the likelihood of getting seasick by avoiding heavy or spicy foods, as well as foods that are high in fat or sugar. Instead, opt for light, non-greasy meals that are easy to digest, such as crackers, bread, and soup. It is also important to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate the body and worsen symptoms of motion sickness.
What should I do if I start feeling seasick while on a fishing boat?
If you start feeling seasick while on a fishing boat, it is important to stay calm and focus on your breathing. Try to find a comfortable spot on the boat and avoid any triggers that may worsen your symptoms. You can also try consuming ginger or peppermint, wearing acupressure bands on your wrist, or taking over-the-counter medication. If your symptoms persist or become severe, seek medical attention immediately.