Is sea sickness as common and bad as people make it out too be? (Page 2): Everyone that I have on my boat gets the same words of advice.. Dramamine at night when you go to bed and...

Doug Lemmon Loc: Rochester Mills, PA

Everyone that I have on my boat gets the same words of advice.. Dramamine at night when you go to bed and again in the morning when boarding.. D Tong mentioned ginger.. IT HELPS! Even ginger ale will help if you start to feel woosy.. Good Luck!!

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

FS Digest wrote:

I spend time on some fast flowing rivers, and some... (show quote)

Map de Mar, each person experiences it differently. I suggest that you avoid any greasy foods with big chunks.
On the other hand, if you like sushi, a little chum couldn’t hurt!

Jungle Ranch Fish Camp Loc: Punta Gorda, FL

I don’t need it and never used it ever and never got sick, grew up on the water and flying alot, I fly all the time and my stomach/ inner ear is toughened up I guess. But here’s what I know from people who depend on it. Take Dramamine the night before with food. Then take another dose when you wake up. Then put your worries away and enjoy the ride!

Mudshark

No greasy or spicy foods, easy on the alcohol night before. Eat before you go. Stay near the bow if possible to avoid diesel fumes.

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

Went on an offshore trip years ago and got so sick it wasn’t good. Started staggering around and then chummed up breakfast, followed up with yellow stomach bile. Puked so bad my eyes got really badly bloodshot.
Truly awful day for me.
Tried again using Scopalamine (spelling)? on next trip. Used a patch. This was much better: no vomiting but made me woozy. Didn’t care much for that. Not terrible, but uncomfortable enough to end my tuna pursuits for good.
Prefer fresh water with nice scenery anyway, and charters are way expensive $$$ anyhow.
Only salt water I fish now is surf casting. No lakes around here in Connecticut big enough to present a problem.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I have been seasick twice, once on a troop transport near the edge of a hurricane and once on Monterey Bay in conditions I have fished numerous times with no prior problems. Hard ground cured it immediately, so it was definitely seasickness. It was bad enough to convince me in later years to take my clients serious. I once had to go in as a client got so sick he became dehydrated and disoriented. Yes it is real. The good news is that there are several good remedies over the counter and as prescription. If time permits, try them before a trip and see what has the least side effects for you. This beats ruining your trip. I have no side effects, so I just take them on the first day of any open water delivery. It does not matter how rough the water is, it doesn't bother me. It is the open water swell that make me uncomfortable. Do not go below if sick. Try to stay busy. Also, do not puke into the wind.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Just a side note from my earlier post. If out with a friend in his boat, if you start to feel dry mouthed or even sick, see if you can actually drive the boat, it will often relieve or eliminate the symptoms just as driving a car often eliminates car motion sickness.

Oil scout Loc: Slidell, LA

The original writer has already lost the battle. Thinking about it for days ahead of the trip is a guarantee you will get sick. Fished offshore Louisiana for years and know that seasickness is a fate worse than death. If anyone on my boat made fun of someone who got sick, it was their last trip on my boat. I have been with fulltime charter captains who got sick and I drove their boat for them. You never know when it will hit you. take the Dramamine. One 2 hour before and another when you are ready to get on the boat. Think about the fishing not what might never happed. Try to stay away from anyone who is sick. Plan on a good trip and a lot of good eating when you get home. Good luck.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Oil scout wrote:

The original writer has already lost the battle. ... (show quote)

Oh! so true

Howard 285 Loc: Morehead City nc

I was a dive master and second capt. on a dive charter boat here in Morehead City NC. Sea sickness is terrible you won’t die from it but you will wish you could.
Take the meds but take one the night before you go out and then one before you leave.
it takes a while to get in the system. If
you wait until you feel bad it is too late,
will do no good.

Justoldjim Loc: JUNCTION CITY, OR.

TBRhino wrote:

Everyone different though with me I usually only have a problem if lose sight of shore. I do take Dramamine with no side effects and it really helps. As a precaution I would take it especially if going a long way from shore or just to be safe.

I have never been seasick but have seen it a lot in the past 70 years 2 grandsons get it I will second the take Dramamine be carful about what you have for breakfast nothing to greasy etc. and take your first pill before going to bed and the next at least 30 mins before getting on the boat avoid alcohol and you probably should not drive for a couple hours after you get off the boat Have fun

DeeJay Loc: Southwest Virginia

Sea sickness usually starts when you lose site of the shore, and starts to ease off when it comes back into view. When the boat is moving watch the horizon. That gives you a focus point for stability. Don't watch the water near the boat, that increases the sensation from the wave movement. I use meclizine, it's used for vertigo, inner ear infections, and dizziness, you can get it over the counter, just ask the pharmacist. Its not expensive. Good luck and keep fishing. .DEEJAY

Subman619 Loc: Melbourne, Florida

Take it from a 20 year submarine veteran. Sea sickness is the worst. Submarines aren't designed to ride on the surface. I was sick for many years whenever we were on the surface until I resigned myself that I was not Popeye and started taking meds. There are non-drowsy versions of both Dramamine and Bonine (my favorite) available. Don't chance it or your trip could be ruined. Take as directed on the box don 't wait until you are feeling ill. I did eventually grow out of the sea sickness and no longer need to med for offshore fishing trips. Good Luck

USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ

Generic is meclizine. Take it before sailing. Ginger ale is a great recommendation. No caffeine helps keeps your insides inside.

FinFisherman Loc: Born in Ohio - 40 yrs Florida- Clearwater,Fl

DeeJay wrote:

Sea sickness usually starts when you lose site of the shore, and starts to ease off when it comes back into view. When the boat is moving watch the horizon. That gives you a focus point for stability. Don't watch the water near the boat, that increases the sensation from the wave movement. I use meclizine, it's used for vertigo, inner ear infections, and dizziness, you can get it over the counter, just ask the pharmacist. Its not expensive. Good luck and keep fishing. .DEEJAY

I'm n ot so sure sea sickness starts when you loose sight of land. I was in rhe Navy and the ship was in drydock when we g3ot a bunch of recruits on-board. There was a number tr of them lined up calling the great sea god as soon as the ship started to float!