Proper Hydration

[gitnby]

I could never figure out why I was so darn tired after a day of fishing.

Even if it was cool weather, I would feel worn out, and it usually wasn't because I was hoisting so many big un's into the boat?

Then I read an article a few years ago about properly hydrating your body when you are outside.

Basically, it said that you should drink 8 oz of water every half hour to keep your body in good working order.

Even if you're not sweating, your body loses moisture through exposed skin, whether that be your hands, neck, face, etc.

Also, don't take off your shirt when it's really hot! (This is especially important for those of us over 50 and over 250 pounds, as it isn't really something anyone wants to see! If your fishing partner is female, under 35 and under 150 pounds, then it actually is highly recommended, especially if the fishing is slow!)

Seriously, you should wear a light color, light material, long sleeve shirt. Dunk the shirt in the water to help keep your skin cool, and always wear a hat or cap.

Since I started doing this, even as I get older, I find a have much more energy. I also usually take a couple apples and/or bananas to munch on, and some kind of salty snack.

There are at least 5 obvious warning signs of dehydration to watch for.

1. If you stop sweating when it's really hot.

2. Pinch the skin on top of you hand. It should spring right back into place. If it is real slow to do so, or stays pinched, you are in trouble!

3. Your eyes will become slightly sunken into the sockets. Keep a mirror or have your partner check.

4. Dizzy, or cloudy vision

5. Your Urine has a deep yellow or orange tint. Should be clear or slight yellow tint.

Dehydration alone is dangerous, but it can intensify all other ailments like heart conditions, high blood pressure, arthritis, indigestion, etc.

Be careful out there!

[techo]

If you get goose bumps or the chills......you are in serious trouble. Unless of course a snake fell from a tree and landed in your boat.

Anyway....good information for sure. Thanks for sharing.

[Trout Commander]

Great post. That's something a lot of us (I am guilty anyway) fail to do. I usually bring a bottle or two of water along but I bet that I rarely ever consume the amount of water i really should while on the water or just in the outdoors. If not for the health benefits stay hydrated so you have the energy to fish more when you finally get the chance to get away!

[motoman]

Great post gitnby! I've occasionally worn a camelback when fishing in extreme heat. (yes, the military uses them too) For those not familiar, it's a small backpack/hip pack with a hose that you clip up by your mouth. It's a great way to stay hydrated, no bending down; just take a sip!

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I'm bad about fishing, and not wanting to keep bending down to drink something.

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It never fails, several guys I've fished with barely eat or drink anything ALL DAY! They make bad decisions throughout the day, and complain all evening/night about not feeling well. I can tell them a thousand times to drink something, but they don't listen!

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And for the record, alcohol is the WORST thing to drink to stay hydrated. Don't fool yourself!

[Champ188]

A good post indeed, gitnby. It's so easy to get consumed with fishing that folks often don't take time to grab a bottle of water from the ice chest and chug it down.

[Hunter91]

Thanks for the reminder and the tips!

[mclothier1]

Great post, Only thing I can add to it is not only drink water while your out fishing, drink plenty even the day before you go, because if you start out already dehydrated, its hard to get hydrated while your out in the heat.

I used to coach a youth baseball team, and every chance I got I stresed to those kids that they need to be drinking plenty of water the day before a game, then drink a bunch during the game. I read somewhere that if an athelete is 10% dehydrated it equates into a 30-40% drop in peak performance.

My brother in law suffered a heat stroke a couple months ago, bad bad stuff, takes years to actually recover and his short term memory is all messed up, and he cant take the heat at all now.

[dtrs5kprs]

Spot on about dehydration in cold weather. I did it in early March 2000 at LOZ at about 45 deg air temp. Just fishing and not eating/drinking.

Pushing fluids the night before, as in football/basketball/track, helps as well.

[Tom Spence]

Great post. I am pretty good in warm weather but in cold weather, especially in a tourney, I have to force myself to stop and drink (and eat). Anyway, again great post.

[captmac]

Re Technos post also see urime color