How tired/fatigued do you get while out for a day or 2 of fishing?
I have been doing big miles in the boat recently, the last 4 days out has seem be clock up 2 days of over 200km and another 2 days of around 350 km for the round trip. The run to the reef is about a 3 to 4 hours run (125km).
im finding I am knackered after a run like that, fishing time and them coming home
At present I spend about half the time in the helm seat and the other half standing up and resting my butt on the seat. The seat is a relax seat but it is not ideal for me as the back is low. I know I have asked a seating question before but this one is a little different.
Have any of you guys changed seats and discovered a change in fatigue levels?
I think it's a whole lot of things combined to wear you out, from getting the boat ready, hours behind the wheel, hours in the sun, constantly rocking, cleaning stuff up while fishing, everything just adds up. I tend to share the driving (not that we do long trips like that here) but long summer days trolling, it's good to get someone to drive while you just lay down, or relax somehow.
A more comfortable seat will help. So will a good autopilot.
All of the above plus good crew. Get them to get the bait out, hand them the deck wash etc get a little dictatorial, well ask nicely. Work shared makes it easier.
I'm just going through the process of replacing my seating as they are worn and now looking for higher backs.
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Now in my early 50's, the past few years I have found fatigue to becoming somewhat of an overwhelming condition of my 2-3 day fishing trips..
Brett we dont have to travel quite as far as you but still have an 70-80km each way trip plus general running around different reefs and shoals..
The suspension seat and supervee hull is making a big difference to how I feel on the water and recovery in the days after ...I'm also considering insulating the hull in the cabin to lesson the sounds of water on the hull which i find annoying when trying to sleep..
The missus also takes a nice soft mattress topper and fluffy pillows and some nice fresh clothes to sleep in..we also have several good fans on board..a fridge/freezer now and oven to eat well whilst out there..
A really good zinc based sunscreen and hat and moderation of alcohol helps in the QLD sun.
I also now get the boat ready days before a trip rather then cramming the night before and take a couple of sleeping pills before bed the night before(as I'm usually excited and agitated and restless) ..
Electric trolling motor is great and then we plan to anchor up on a nice deep rock or shoal for the night and try and get a good nights sleep onboard rather then fish the night through like I used to do( and then be like a useless, grumpy zombie the next day).
I also take plenty of rags and sponges to keep the blood and guts to a minimum so the boat doesnt smell disgusting after a day or 2..
As processing fish might take a full half a day or so I also have a well set up stainless steel cleaning station at home at just the right height so I dont have to stoop while filleting
Getting old sux but I try and listen to my mind and body and keep it fresh and well rested to enjoy my time out there and make smarter decisions..
All of the above fits nicely , and when you hit the seventies you get kickkassed a tad more regarding tiredness lol but wouldna have it otherwise..
More Fishing gear cures it nicely ...
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Yes I have been considering an autopilot. Thanks for mentioning it. It does take a lot of cognitive effort to remain on track Of course my list of wants is growing faster than my bank account can sustain. lolOriginally Posted by scottar
Now in my early 50's, the past few years I have found fatigue to becoming somewhat of an overwhelming condition of my 2-3 day fishing trips..
Re age: I know how you feel
The suspension seat and supervee hull is making a big difference to how I feel on the water and recovery in the days after
Its tough to choose the right seat as no one really holds stock here so its a matter of choosing from a pic on the net. The 2 I have short listed are about $300 apart so at present Im in procrastination mode.. I really do like your suspension but It wont work for me without major modification to the seat boxes.
a fridge/freezer now and oven to eat well whilst out there.
.A fridge/freezer is on the cards too and opens a discussion re battery loads and longevity etc etc (stay tuned for another post in the near future)
I also now get the boat ready days before a trip rather then cramming the night before and take a couple of sleeping pills before bed the night before(as I'm usually excited and agitated and restless) ..
Isnt that feeling great but its a double edged sword because of the disturbed sleep. I can relate 100%. Yes we are getting better at prepping early but I always seem to be up at midnight producing a bank of paternoster rigs for when we get busted off..lol
Electric trolling motor is great and then we plan to anchor up on a nice deep rock or shoal for the night and try and get a good nights sleep onboard rather then fish the night through like I used to do( and then be like a useless, grumpy zombie the next day).
Ugh, Electric trolling motor . I dream of one of them..One day... I like to fish at night but I think the drive to fish through the night is a result of the way we have planned the trip. When the weather window is appropriate I think we will head out at least halfway the night before, after work and be up for a quick run to the fishing grounds. That will enable more day time fishing rather than having to work into the night to feel as if we are making the best of the trip.
Thanks Scott, you have raised some really valid considerations and sloutions. Thanks
Brett
Yep, 2 days is fine 3 is starting to get hard (and I've got 20 years od Disorderly) and as he says prepare before hand, I go through the gear I'm considering taking, rods, reels, tackle, etc and stack it all in the shed in one place ready to go in the morning. It still takes me 30 mins to load it all in with the ice, bait and food. I just wish I had enclosed secure storage for the boat otherwise it would all be loaded beforehand.All of the above fits nicely , and when you hit the seventies you get kickkassed a tad more regarding tiredness lol but wouldna have it otherwise
More Fishing gear cures it nicely ...
I also take a couple of sleeping pills the night before otherwise I'll be up all night thinking about it.
Interesting thread. I recon match fitness has fair bit of impact. If your fortunate enough to fish often then the body gets in the groove otherwise its working overtime trying to keep you upright, working all the time, particularly in a bit of swell. 1st night in the boat on the water is always a shocker for me, 2nd night exhausted makes for an ok sleep. If i can sleep everything is so much better but not keen to take sleepers on the water. I'm headed to breaksea this weekend and can hear he bloody water lapping on the hull already, like sleeping in a can.
Brettoh, if your the skip go the autopilot, game changer for those big trips. Being well organised to avoid unnecessary work when on the water also make life easier for me.
Scott
I ditched those early starts & late finishes ...... get up at 3am come home late kind of thing where you are buggered .
now I plan a weekend away - drive to my destination on a Friday afternoon / evening ..... chill out / sleep at the boat ramp then launch at 5am .
Saturday I can fish as long as I want - back to the ramp (clean fish) have a meal , few bevvies & get a reasonable nights sleep .
Sunday - if the weather is good - out for a half day session back to hopefully clean fish / the boat ..... then head home.
My biggest problem was that I don't go to bed early & the anticipation of a trip keeps me awake. .... so I might only get a couple of hours of sleep the night before.
The concern is the drive home when you are tired
Chris
Give a man a fish & he will eat for a day !
Teach him how to fish
& he will sit in a boat - & drink beer all day!
TEAM MOJIKO
the answer is a bigger and better boat of course.
Running long distances and spending all day and night in small boats where you are bracing against every rock and sleeping poorly is not my idea of fun.
Funds are always an issue but even at the cheap end of the spectrum there are options other than the generic day boat speedy
Also I reckon V births a re awful - try and sleep away from the bow. Too much noise in the v birth. I guess people can still sleep in them because they are so exhausted.
Limiting sun exposure helps a lot
I look like a walking billboard but wish i had the gear from the early years when I started fishing
long pants fishing shirt neck/head mask hat gloves decent large sunnies
still haven’t worked footwear out yet
plus sunscreen and plenty of water
The one thing I have learned from doing passages is that any sleep is good. I have done 4hrs on 8hrs off, and 4 on 4 off. Not quite fishing, but if you can sneak half hour of ZZzzz's in the v-berth mid trip then do it. Even 10 minutes.
Food is also key, dont eat shit food that is high in carbs. Old story, full belly of good food makes you want to sleep. Eat healthy. I hate eating healthy, but its something I do when managing fatigue.
I was told years ago, the key to a good nights sleep in a bunk at sea is fatigue. I can confirm that is true. Being at sea will always make you fatigued.
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