Last June, five of us took a half-day 6-pak boat out of Trinidad, CA for some bottomfishing. The seas around Trinidad are notoriously rough where high seas are the norm especially with much of a wind. I didn't know about the "21 rule" at that time - add wind speed to swell height, if over 21 stay home. George, a small man in his 70's, was especially anxious (nervous and worried) about getting seasick, so he took two Dramamine the night before, more the next morniing, and was nibbling on ginger at breakfast. Remember your mommies giving you ginger ale for an upset tummy?
It didn't take long for George to get sick, sick, sick. After several trips to the head (and over the rail), George passed out as he was sitting down on the deck. Fortunately, he was already sitting when he passed out, did a slow roll forward and hit his head. A little blood and a big knot. He had been drinking water. After verifying he was okay and talking to him, we cut the trip short and returned to port. George felt better on terra firma and took the rest of the day easy on our 4 hour drive home.
George showed the following symptoms of the many listed for a Dramamine OD: Delirium, Drowsiness, Low blood pressure, Unsteadiness, Unconsciousness.
So take medications carefully - more is not always better, follow the instructions on the label - even over the counter meds, and keep drinking fluids - low caffiene, no alcohol, even if it's freezing cold out. Talk to your prescriber and your pharmacist for whatever meds you take, even OTC. AND WATCH OUT FOR YOUR FISHING BUDDIES!!
Good advice, Norcal: I used to take dramamine and it made me drowsy. I didn't get sick but I didn't enjoy myself either because I was nodding off. I stopped fishing for years, until I found out about Trans Dermal Scopalamine. That's the patch one puts behind the ear. It was like finding a new world. I could go fishing and eat a sandwich and drink a beer or two without getting sick or even worrying about getting sick. I put the patch on before I go to bed the night before fishing. The only side effect I found is a dry mouth in the morning. It's a prescription drug and if anyone is interested, just ask your doctor to prescribe it. I was down in Baja last month and told my daughter's boyfriend about "the patch." He said no matter what he did he got seasick. I convinced him to get a prescription and he used it for the first time last month. I created a monster. He said I "opened a whole new world for him." Now he wants to go out a boat all the time. It's great stuff. I can't fish without it. Dominick
Wise words, Rob!
Our local NorCal waters are no fun when you get over 15 feet or so... which is almost normal it seems.
I think you can count on your hand the number of days we get buoy reports with 2-4' swells.
I wish we had the conditions like in SoCal or Florida...heck, I wish we had the fishing they have too!
Safety at sea is critical. Even when I take my kayak out in the bay, I take a radio and other safety gear 'cause you just never know....
Gene
Quote from: Phinaddict on November 21, 2010, 04:42:32 AM
Wise words, Rob!
Our local NorCal waters are no fun when you get over 15 feet or so... which is almost normal it seems.
Over 15 ft seas?! :o :-X
;D
And here is local local forecast:
Today...NW winds 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. NW swell 9 to 12 ft at 12 seconds. Chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms.
No crabbing today...... >:(
Quote from: Bucktail on November 21, 2010, 04:23:16 PM
Quote from: Phinaddict on November 21, 2010, 04:42:32 AM
Wise words, Rob!
Our local NorCal waters are no fun when you get over 15 feet or so... which is almost normal it seems.
Over 15 ft seas?! :o :-X
;D
Pretty close. When we were in the bottom of a swell that day the top of the swell was about as tall as the boat's mast, 15 feet above the waterline. And the swells were on about a 6-8 second interval. :P
Rob
I spent many trips hanging over the rail while fishing of the Gulf coast of Texas. Then I used the "patch" (Tranderm Scop) for a few years and while it worked, there were problems. The patch should be applied the night before to build up an effective doseage, and that doseage is hard to control. The patch can also cause irritation at the spot of application. I found a better solution, called Scopace (Hope Pharmaceutical). Also available only by prescription, it is a 0.4 mg tablet. Tablets can be cut in half so doseage can be talored to your needs. It can be taken the morning before going fishing, so avoiding the waste of an expensive patch if the weather turns sour. IMHO, it is superior to the patch.
borch
Good advice Rob, I've been in 16 foot swells before, it's no fun. Luckly for me, my buddy the deck mate and the captain were all Ok, two other guys got sick as a dog. That was one lousy day that I will never forget, on top of everything else, my tuna was 1/2 inch short and had to go back. :'( I wonder if poor old Gearge is still anjoing his fishing today. :(
as a guide we go 15,makes us pussies,15 wind,1.5 seas 1.5 swell but we dont get sick ,all the time
Wallace, there's no point in abusing yourself. :P And fishing's supposed to be fun, right? Unless you're a commercial fisherman, we always have a choice. ;) Both times I went out in rough seas I came back with bruises from getting smacked against the rail.
Sal, "Old George" wants to go again and has been asking me when the next trip is. :) I guess I've become the de facto chartermaster. :-\ You should have used a lip-stretcher for that short tuna. ;D ;D
Cheers!
Rob
Quote from: norcal pescador on April 09, 2011, 05:25:49 PM
And fishing's supposed to be fun, right? Unless you're a commercial fisherman, we always have a choice. Rob
Rob: My philosophy exactly. I want to kick back and enjoy the trip. The catching part is the cream. So if it looks like it is going to be rough, I wait for another day. I feel sorry for the guys that have to go out to make a living. I wouldn't do it. Dominick
Dominick, Your post beat mine, we were typing at the same time, I will still post it. ;D
Rob, I had a few ideas on how to gain a 1/2 inch, but the captain wouldn't hear of it, as you already know, out there it's their rules or no rules. That was my only tuna thus far....what a hard fighting fish took off twice on me, my shoulder was sore for two weeks. I'm glad that George is ready to go again, gee I wonder if Dominick will be that determined in a year or two. Sorry cumba', couldn't resist. ;D ;D ;D
FOr using Dramamine, the best results occur when the following happens:
the night before fishing, do not eat at all you can eat buffets and follow up with all you can drink happy hour.
Prior to bed, take 1 Dramamine pill.
When you wake up, don't eat 2 Egg McMuffins, sausage gravy and an xtra large coffee. Do take 1 more Dramamine pill...and enjoy fishing
Or.....get the patch and not have to worry about any of the above.
Quote from: Marlinmate on April 09, 2011, 11:03:18 PM
FOr using Dramamine, the best results occur when the following happens:
the night before fishing, do not eat at all you can eat buffets and follow up with all you can drink happy hour. ......... When you wake up, ........ don't eat 2 Egg McMuffins, sausage gravy and an xtra large coffee.
Exactly! When I was flying as part of my job, sometimes I spent up to 5 1/2 hours in the air at a time in a small plane, and the turbulence at times was a bit much. :P In order to keep my stomach (and its contents) where it was supposed to be, I developed a motto:
"Eat light and eat often." The system involved keeping just enough food, especially acid absorbers, in my stomach to keep the acid from sloshing around and somewhat neutralized. :) I told others about it and it has worked for some of them, too. 8) It has also worked for me on the water.
If you have a system that works, use it and pass it along to others. Not everyone can use the same method, but sooner or later one will come along that works. ;)
Rob
Quote from: Pescachaser on April 09, 2011, 06:10:24 PM
Quote from: norcal pescador on April 09, 2011, 05:25:49 PM
And fishing's supposed to be fun, right? Unless you're a commercial fisherman, we always have a choice. Rob
Rob: My philosophy exactly. I want to kick back and enjoy the trip. The catching part is the cream. So if it looks like it is going to be rough, I wait for another day. I feel sorry for the guys that have to go out to make a living. I wouldn't do it. Dominick
Dominick I hear you, but that's not always the case. You could be out there on a gorgeous day and all of a sudden all hell breaks loose.
It happened to me a few times, luckly I was only a couple of mile out. Keep in mind that this is the North East, not the Gulf of Mexico.
Rob, you don't look like you're under nourished. ;D ;D Sorry bud, I had too. About keeping the acid down, that makes perfect sense.
Yo Paisano: I know what you mean. I was big game fishing out of San Juan in February. We left on one of those gorgeous tropical mornings. By about 11 a.m. The cruiser was disappearing in the troughs. I mean we were looking up at a wall of water the height of a 2 story building. We headed in of course but it was a hairy adventure. I did not feel that the captain did not have the situation under control, but even with the patches I got a little queasy. Now about pulling Tuna, I have had tuna on for over a half hour. I'm tough. My personal best is 45lbs. This fall (Nov. 2-5) during the tournament we go for the big ones. Next month I will be down for the 30-50 pounders. I'll post pictures. Dominick
Dominick, when I retire I want to be just like you, Keep on catching them. About the queasy part, was it the patch or the Zin? Post some pictures , I would love to see them. I fought that tuna on my own, I don't like to share the fight, the other guys where taking turns with theirs, but they were not stone masons for over 35 years like myself! I will show you a picture...if I can download it, still a nice blue fin.
Marlinmate, that's a heck of a breakfast, sausage and gravy? WoW! :o All I do in the morning is coffee,maybe a banana or apple.
Marlinmate, that's a heck of a breakfast, sausage and gravy? WoW! :o All I do in the morning is coffee,maybe a banana or apple.
[/quote]
Alto....I do enjoy that on non-fishing days, but a Frosted Raspberry POPTART and a swig of water is all i eat on fishing days.
Quote from: Marlinmate on April 10, 2011, 12:28:48 PM
Alto....I do enjoy that on non-fishing days, but a Frosted Raspberry POPTART and a swig of water is all i eat on fishing days.
I know what you mean Marlinmate. I used to make and cure my own sausages , now I don't make them anymore, they're so darn good that I can't controll myself and the Doc said to lay off of them. I enjoy frying a couple of pieces with a couple of eggs and a nice loaf of crispy bread. Thanks for reminding me, I'll go make some now before the wife gets up. ;D ;D Sal
Alto....If i had my druthers, I would sit down with a nice big cup of coffee, 2 eggs over easy, wheat toast, 3-4 slabs of scrapple (cooked to crispy), a side of corned beef hash, Lipitor pill, and a toilet within 3 minutes from cleaning my plate.
For those who don't know what Scrapple is......."it's everything but the squeal"
Quote from: Marlinmate on April 10, 2011, 02:16:12 PM
Alto....If i had my druthers, I would sit down with a nice big cup of coffee, 2 eggs over easy, wheat toast, 3-4 slabs of scrapple (cooked to crispy), a side of corned beef hash, Lipitor pill, and a toilet within 3 minutes from cleaning my plate.
For those who don't know what Scrapple is......."it's everything but the squeal"
Winner! ;D
Hey guys, how did we get from Dramamine to Scrapple? :o....Cool!
While we're on the subject, try frying some chicken gizzards with some hot pepper and mix in some scrambled eggs...now that's a breakfast, but you will need a glass of red wine, not coffee...yes in the morning. You'll be fully charged for the day! ;D ;D ;D
Sal: I know you and Rob are going to rag on me, but I went through my fishing pictures and I only have a couple of pictures of Tuna. I remember the biggest one I got (45lbs) I did not have my camera with me. I'll post what I do have over in the Photo Section. Dominick
Dominick, don't go too crazy trying to find pictures, just do as you did before.....carefully cut them out of a fishing magazine and post them. ;D ;D ;D
Does anyone know how to use photoshop? ;D
I know of only one sure-fire way to avoid mal de mer - SIT UNDER A TREE
A French optometrist has developed some glasses that provide the brain with a false horizon. They're not the most attractive items of fashionwear but if they can mitigate the effects of seasickness, who cares what they look like?
Boarding Ring (http://www.boardingring.com/adults.html)
(http://www.boardingring.com/wpimages/wp328f84bb.png)
Hey Codhead: That might work. The glasses I mean. I read somewhere that motion sickness comes as a result of the eye confusing the brain, or was it the other way around? ??? Dominick
Dominick, I would love to see you with them on. ;D ;D ;D
Boy and I thought Montauk waters where bad!
Quote from: OSIRIS631 on April 18, 2014, 02:32:14 PM
Boy and I thought Montauk waters where bad!
The NE Pacific can get rough. 15' combined is doable if the interval is long and the wind waves less than 2'.
Quote from: Dominick on April 11, 2011, 04:16:26 PM
Hey Codhead: That might work. The glasses I mean. I read somewhere that motion sickness comes as a result of the eye confusing the brain, or was it the other way around? ??? Dominick
I have never been sea sick but recently had concerns over getting sun glasses with bifocals to help my hook tying with shades on. I was worried that it may bother me. They work great and don't bother my a bit. Don't have to remove glasses now to tie hooks. ;D ;D
I need a pair of those Dwight. I don't get sea sick either. I think a lot of that is a mind game.
The only person in my family to get sick was my Dad. My sister fished offshore for the first time this week and had a blast and we had a bunch of chummers in just 3 feet seas. She could not understand why those people were sick. I agree on mostly a mind thing.
Go for the bifocals instead of the next reel. You will like them.
motion sickness is most definitely NOT a "mind thing" -- it's a genetic predisposition that mostly involves the inner ear & vision, to a much lesser extent. if you don't get it, you have no clue about it & be VERY, VERY glad that you don't... well, if you ever had really bad alcohol poisoning -- that's pretty close, but you can't pass out & vomiting doesn't help no matter how much you do it, and do it, and do it, and...
Everyone is prone to seasickness. Those that havn't experienced it yet just havn't been exposed to the right set of conditions. Having said that, there is a strong genetic component (mostly related to inner ear structure), and it is possible to become conditioned to life at sea and reduce its occurrence. I used to get very sea sick nearly every time I went out in 15knot+ conditions throughout my childhood, and as an adult working and living aboard commercial fishing vessels (40-120' loa), I only got sick 6 days outta over 3000. So there is hope. There are things you can do to delay onset and prevent getting sick...
-staying active, stay in fresh air, watch the horizon, avoid sugar, medicine, caffeine, stimulate pressure points (wrists, behind ears, temples, neck, etc), take motion sick medication (not a long-term solution), eat plain absorbant type foods (I.e. saltines), ginger...avoid spicy or salty foods. Stay hydrated. Also, avoid the temptation to go up front (where it moves the most), close your eyes, and try to sleep it off. Succumbing to The lethargy, and drowsiness, is typically giving in to getting sick (unless it's due to taking meds). As soon as you see someone getting a bit pale..put em to work, give them a task (or severel) to do while they remain in deck. Check the baits, drive the boat, etc. Many times people tend to want to leave the person getting sick alone, when usually the best thing you can do is give them something else to focus on. I'm sure we've all seen the guy that's sick as a dog one minute, and right as rain as soon as the reel goes off and they are thrown into battle..case in point. Just a few personal observations/suggestions based on having spent a good chunk of my life at sea.
I Guess I don't understand it Phil. I am lucky it has never happened to me. When I was a young man, fresh out of High School, I joined the Navy. My Uncle Delno told me, don't go to sea on an empty stomach. Keep something in your belly and you will be fine. I did as Uncle said and it works great for me.
I was on a Destroyer and that thing would bob up and down like no ones business. So much that if you sat in a chair and didn't have hold of something, you were going for a ride. ;)
I saw a lot of guys get sea sick and they stopped eating. I think that made it worse.
I have a friend who once told me on a fishing trip that he would never get seasick... and was busting chops with all the guys in the group that got sick making fun of them..
So rascal that I am, I got him to go sit in the back with me... by the diesel engines just when the began preparing the bunker chum... mmm mmm niece rotten bunker all grounded up and the beautiful smell of buring diesel did the trick. Guy spent the nxt four hours like a yack, up chucking everything he had in his belly.. hehehe.
Regards,
John
I think that would have done it to me too John. :P I would never make fun of anybody because they got seasick, unless it was Dominick! ;D
Quote from: Shark Hunter on April 22, 2014, 04:47:31 PM
I think that would have done it to me too John. :P I would never make fun of anybody because they got seasick, unless it was Dominick! ;D
Yeah but I'd puke on your shoes. ;) ;) Dominick
I have only been sick on a boat once, but a good fishing mate of mine gets sick looking at a puddle. But once he's a had spit over the side he comes right, most people don't seem to recover until they get back to shore.
Rgds
Mark