5 Must-Know Seasickness Remedies for Fishermen
If you want to catch big fish you need to hit the seas and you never know when the water conditions throw you off. It’s best to come prepared knowing how to treat motion sickness and prevent it. Book your next Louisiana fishing charter with Louisiana Bluewater Charter Company today! We offer everything from lazy day trips fishing in-shore to multi-day offshore fishing excursions, so you can plan the perfect fishing trip for you.
It’s best if you eat and drink light before a boat trip– enough so you have energy but not too much in order to save your digestive system from working overtime. Make sure you’re hydrated before your fishing charter, because being dehydrated increases your chances of getting sick on board the boat. Bonine is a chewable flavored tablet taken once daily to prevent motion sickness-related symptoms like dizziness nausea and vomiting. This is best taken when planning a fishing trip, especially for kids ages 12 and up as it ensures all-day protection. If you prefer to take a more “natural” approach, consider Sea Bands. The soft and comfortable wrist bands use pressure point therapy to prevent motion sickness.
Pregnant women and women who have just given birth are more likely to suffer from motion sickness and seasickness. The smell of diesel fuel and saltwater can make some people feel seasick. It is also possible to get used to the motion of the ship through habituation, which makes you less susceptible to seasickness. It’s less effective right before you get on the boat and don’t bother if you’re already feeling sick. While we do believe a lot of it is about your mindset, getting seasick is part of being human and if it happens to you, it is nothing to be ashamed about.
A big part of seasickness prevention happens before you ever set foot on the boat. Making sure your body is in peak condition by arriving well-rested will help you keep up your stamina and reduce your risk of fatigue-induced motion sickness. If you are still pretty close to land, turning around, dropping you off, and taking the rest of your group back out fishing might be an option as well.
Remember, your crew woke up very early, loaded the boats with ice, caught bait, rigged rods, prepped, and inspected their vessels. When we take a boat out to fish, use fuel, bait, and chum, these expenses are all still incurred whether or not you come in early. First of all, if the winds or waves are so high that it is dangerous, we simply cancel or reschedule the trip. That being said, our crews and big boats can safely handle some pretty rough weather. Additionally, rough weather can bring about some fantastic fishing! Some of the toughest fishing days we have are when it is sunny and flat calm.
That will help you keep your balance and reduce the motion that makes you seasick. Bright sunlight bouncing off the water is another factor that can enhance seasickness. Jon Stenstrom is a fishing and spearfishing enthusiast. He’s been fishing since he was 5 years old in the backcountry of Yosemite for trout and in the surf near his home in SoCal.
Some clients can take much higher seas and winds than others without getting seasick, and we have had groups decide they wanted to fish even after we advised them against it. Whenever fishing, you want to stay outside in the fresh air as much as possible. Certain strong smells can trigger seasickness so having your nose in the fresh air is a great way to avoid this. If you are beginning to feel nauseous taking several slow deep breaths of fresh air can be very helpful. If you’d prefer an all-natural alternative to help you fight seasickness, bring some ginger! It’s best to avoid greasy and acidic food and alcohol before you go out to fish.
Also, remember that some treatments work better at preventing sea sickness for some than others, so it’s always good to bring along a few options your first time out. With enough alcohol, you can enjoy all the nauseating effects of seasickness without ever setting foot on a boat! It’s not surprising that booze can magnify motion sickness symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and nausea, so try to avoid drinking for at least 24 hours before embarking. Even a mild hangover can turn into a miserable day at sea. We at the Reel Coquina team hopes that these few tips will help you avoid seasickness and enjoy your deep sea fishing trip. If any of these remedies do not work for you, we recommend that you speak with your doctor about the best option for you.
Dion Liriano is a 51-year-old American zookeeper who has retired from the business. He was once a highly successful director of the Zoo and Aquarium, but he has since hung up his gloves and moved on to other ventures. Dion's passion for animals began at a young age, when he would help his father care for their family pets. This love grew exponentially when he started working at the zoo; Dion quickly became one of the most experienced keepers in the business. He credits his success to the relationships he built with both staff and animals over the years.