Whether you are fishing a tournament, practicing for a tournament or just out for a fun day of bass fishing, you are burning a lot of energy.
I mean think about it… you go from sitting at your console to standing or leaning on a butt seat at the bow of your boat. Then you are making cast-after-cast as you are trying to put your lure in front of as many bass as possible. These factors alone will tire an angler out.
Now add in some variables, such as extreme heat and humidity or inclement wind or cold.
During the summer months, it is absolutely crucial to stay hydrated while fishing as the high temperatures, humidity and direct sunlight quickly take its toll on an angler, dehydrating them or worse heading them towards heat stroke.
Even though you aren’t running a race or working out at the gym, your body is still burning calories. This means you need to be replacing the calories you are burning, by eating throughout your fishing day. I feel that eating throughout the day keeps your mind alert and working top notch, resulting in your ability to think and make effective decisions as an angler.
My Ranger Z520 has a built-in cooler in it, which I always keep filled with bottled water and some type of a sports drink. During long, hot summer days of pre-fishing, I try to drink a bottle of water every time I sit down at the console. This keeps me well-hydrated and then every two or three hours, I drink a sports drink as this will help replace the electrolytes I have lost.
When I’m spending an extended time on the water or it is really HOT, I bring my Siberian Coolers Sidekick cooler with me. This way I can fill this 22-qt cooler with ice at the beginning of the day and when heat of the afternoon hits, I’ll still have cold beverages. This model cooler fits perfectly by my console or on the back deck of my boat and with its 180 degree aluminum handle, I can quickly grab it and go.
As for food in the boat, I make sure to have several snacks and then a lunch for myself. For a lunch, I’ll either do a PBJ in a whole wheat tortilla in lieu of bread, or I’ll do some shredded chicken, with a little mayo, wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. Both of these options provide me with the needed carbs and proteins to refuel my body throughout a day of fishing. Having some snacks that you can quickly throw in your mouth as you’re idling out of or into a spot is a great way to energize up. My quick snack arsenal includes: granola bars, trail mix, grapes and cookies!
As you are filling the boat with your tackle, rods and gas for your next fishing trip, don’t forget to pack plenty of beverages and food to keep you well-hydrated and energized throughout your whole fishing day.
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