How to Avoid Sea Sickness on a Fishing Charter

Being out on the waters and fishing is always great fun, but it does come with its own risks. Like seasickness, the perpetual enemy of the waters. No matter how experienced you might be, seasickness can happen to anyone. But it especially affects newbies who might not anticipate the amount of motion that comes with being on a boat.

But here at Newport Oregon Fishing Charters, we don’t believe seasickness should stand in the way of a good time! Fishing on the beautiful Newport waters is a one-of-a-kind experience, and we want to help more people experience it. So, if you’re feeling hopeless about your seasickness or worried you might experience it, keep reading! Our expert tips are compiled here to give you a helping hand as you prepare for your fishing trip.

What is seasickness and why does it happen

Seasickness is a form of nausea that comes from the motions of being on the water. It is a kind of motion sickness, and it can lead to a variety of nasty results like vomiting, headaches, and even dehydration. It is believed that all people suffer from some kind of motion sickness, but the degree, as well as the trigger, varies from person to person. Seasickness can be particularly hard for a person to experience because they are confined on the boat and cannot get instant relief. 

There are three main causes of motion sickness, and what causes seasickness, in particular, is when motion is felt but not seen. The consistent rocking motion of a boat is often what people feel when they start to feel sick, but seeing the motion of the boat is a little harder. When conditions are good, it is easy to fix on a point in the horizon and see yourself getting nearer or farther. But when conditions are cloudy or when you go far in, it can be harder to do this.

What you can do to avoid seasickness

Seasickness is best combatted as you prepare to go on your fishing trip. You should typically avoid any alcohol, excessively oily food, or anything strong like spicy food. By avoiding these things, you lower the risk of your stomach feeling funny on the boat, leading to even more nausea. You should also avoid eating food on the boat with strong odors – stick to a simple sandwich or some crackers instead.

You should also ask for the best seat on the boat if you are prone to motion sickness. That typically means facing in the direction of your travel on the seat closest to the boat’s stern, as it experiences the least motion. You should also try to get as much fresh air as possible, so don’t stick too close to anyone if you can. 

Besides all these tips, the most fool-proof tip is to take over-the-counter medication to counteract any potential seasickness. Check your local drugstore for the best types and follow the directions carefully.

What to do if you feel seasick

Though due preparation is often enough to stop any seasickness, it can still happen anyway. Getting seasick on a boat can be a scary situation, but it is important to try and remain calm to combat the symptoms. 

If you are starting to feel seasick, try to find a point on the horizon to focus on. As we discussed before, being able to see the motion can significantly help any nausea you might be feeling. Focusing on a single point helps your brain see the motion happening.

Another way to stop feeling seasick is to try and get in as much fresh air as possible. If this still doesn’t help, some emergency motion sickness should be able to get you back on track. But if none is available and you still feel like vomiting, it can often be better to let it out instead of holding it in. Just make sure you aim for over the side of the boat, and not in it.

How hiring a fishing charter can help you

You might not think of fishing charters as an antidote to seasickness, but there are actually things they can do to help. Being on a small fishing boat can often exacerbate feelings of seasickness, so being on a larger boat like the ones that are chartered out can help a lot. This is because smaller boats move around more as they are lighter on the water. Larger boats also have more space where you can lay down when you feel sick.

Besides the advantage of being on a larger boat, trust us when we say that fishing charter guides have seen it all before. That means we know exactly what to do to prepare people before the fishing trip starts. And we definitely know what to do to help you when you start feeling seasick.

Ready to tackle the waters with the best fishing charter in town? Newport Oregon Fishing Charters has excellent packages for specific fish like salmon, halibut, and lingcod. Go fishing in the most convenient, painless, and fun way! Book a slot today.