How to Prevent Sea Sickness on a Fishing Charter

What is one of the angler’s worst nightmares? Getting seasick. No one wants to spend so much time, money, and effort preparing for the ultimate fishing trip and charter, only to spend most of your time groaning in pain in one corner, trying not to hurl!

If you feel prone to motion sickness, there are ways to keep it from happening even before your charter. Read on as we share effective ways how to prevent sea sickness on a fishing charter.

 

How to Prevent Sea Sickness on a Fishing Charter

Anyone who’s ever experienced sea sickness before knows that it’s definitely not a nice experience. While people who get seasick would eventually recover while still out in the waters, it would usually take 12-24 hours for bodies to adjust to the boat’s motions. That’s not comforting news to those who will be out on a fishing charter for less than 12 hours!

So, what can you do to prevent sea sickness on a fishing charter? Here are a couple of practical tips:

Take Medication

If you have experienced motion sickness in boats, driving cars, rides, or planes, you’re likely more susceptible to getting seasick. It may be best to pack some over-the-counter motion sickness medication and take it the night before and the morning of your fishing trip.

We highly recommend you talk with your doctor about this, especially if you are taking any other medication for other illnesses. Take medicine according to the package’s direction and your doctor’s advice.

Also, please note that motion sickness pills are a preventative measure, so you must take them before the trip. They won’t work during or after the fishing trip, and if they will, chances are, you’re already feeling too many of the symptoms!

Other than pills, you can also purchase patches made to help lessen the symptoms of seasickness. There are also anti-seasickness wrist bands working by using acupressure or magnetic fields. The wristbands are a hit and miss, though, as some say they aren’t as effective while others swear by them.

 

Watch Your Alcohol

Maybe not watch your alcohol per se, but avoid it altogether, from the night before, the morning of, and during your fishing trip. It’s more important to go out fishing feeling well-rested than suffering from a major hangover, which will intensify the feelings of seasickness. Moreover, drinking too much before your trip may have you oversleep, thus missing the charter schedule.

We also highly recommend not drinking alcohol at all during your fishing trip. Sure, a few beers or shots sound fun with friends, but it can also lead to sea sickness. Moreover, it’s very dangerous for you, the crew, and other joiners. If you end up intoxicated, you might be more prone to moving around too much, leading to accidents and disturbing everyone onboard.

Instead, pack lots of water, sodas, and sports drinks, and keep hydrated. That leads us to our next tip…

Stay Hydrated

You should never drink alcohol before and during your fishing trip, but do you know what you should drink? WATER! It’s crucial to drink water while dishing because the hot sun and salty air would contribute to dehydration, which doesn’t help with the sea sickness.

If you still choose to drink alcohol during your fishing trip, don’t overdo it, and make sure you continue to drink water while doing so. Water will counteract alcohol’s dehydrative effects.

 

Eat Light

It’s important to eat a bit before the fishing trip, but we don’t advise you to hit the breakfast buffet before you head out to the waters unless you want to see what you ate in the form of vomit!

Eat like you’re already feeling nauseated, and your stomach will thank you once you’re on the boat. Keep away from heavy foods like pancakes, rice, French toast, bacon, sausages, and the like. Also, stay away from highly acidic drinks and foods like orange juice or coffee. All these foods would digest slowly, and coffee can cause dehydration.

Instead, we recommend sticking with light and healthy food like cereals, toast, milk, apple juice, bananas, apples, and water. Eat for energy but never overeat. Also, bring dry crackers to eat during the trip if you feel nauseated; it can help!

Fresh Air Everywhere

When you’re fishing, it’s important to stay outside and breathe in all the fresh air possible. Specific strong smells may trigger sea sickness, so it’s crucial to stay surrounded by fresh air rather than strong-smelling food, perfume, or fish, among other scents. If you start feeling a bit nauseous, remain in an open area and take a few deep breaths of fresh air, which can really help.

Staying in a cabin for too long may trigger sea sickness as well. When you’re in a room that seems stationary as the boat moves up and down or rocks side to side, there’s a disconnect between what you see and feel, which can have you hurl or suffer from significant nausea. You joined a fishing charter for a reason, so get on outside for fresh air and start catching a bite or two!

 

Where Will You Look?

Just like looking around in a cabin as the boat moves, reading or staring at your gadget while on a boat may trigger sea sickness. Continue to look from afar and outside the vessel rather than get stuck on your gadget. Enjoy the views while you’re on the way to the fishing spot and focus more on fishing and interacting with others. It’s a great way to have fun while preventing sea sickness.

 

Wrapping It Up

We hope that this article on how to prevent sea sickness on a fishing charter gave you the best tips! If you’re still searching for a fishing charter to hire, contact us now, and we can help connect you with one of the best in Newport.