Back Pain And Fatigue While Fishing?

[WhiteMike1018]

This happens to me quite often about 1-2 hours in when im pretty much power fishing. I't dosent really make sense to me since im 6"0 195lbs and I go go the gym lifting weights 3-4 times a week. Im very strong. 

 

Although whats giving the discomfort seems to be some deep muscles that I havent really felt being worked before.

 

All of my rods are pretty light weight graphite as well as my reels

 

Does anyone elses back hurt while they are fishing sometimes? and if so how do you deal with it

[J Francho]

Are you a boater?

[Teal]

Same here Mike; im the same height and weight, and i work out 3-4 days a week.

I used to have alot of lower back pain. A local doctorguy suggested that i strengthen my core. I started doing ALOT more ab work. Not just going through the motions like we do because we are so focused on other muscle groups.

I really focused on making it stronger and let me tell ya, it works. I also use a leaning post and i keep it all the way up.

[J Francho]

If you can, get one of these seats.  Set it pretty high, so you lean on your lumbar, not your butt.  It works.

 

[tritonguy]

I used to have a lot of back pain until I bought a boat that had a recessed trolling motor tray and my back hasn't bothered me much since.

[K_Mac]

I was much overweight a year ago. Weight loss, working on core strength, stretching to improve flexibility, along with weight training 3 times a week and regular aerobic training has made big difference in my ability to fish for longer periods without fatigue and lower back pain. Strong is good, but it is only one part of the equation. Good luck. Not being able to fish, or only fish for short periods of time is tough on guys like us. 

 

EDIT: For the record I am 5'11" and 205 at this writing. I still have another 20 lb to go to make my target. 

[Goose21]

Bought my first boat mid summer of 2012. 16' aluminum lowe. Within a couple weeks of fishing I developed pretty significant cervical spine pain after fishing an hour or so on the boat. Like a nagging tooth ache in my neck and most likely a slightly bulging disc. I only stand on the deck while fishing. I think its a combo of chronic poor head forward posture aggrevated by looking down on the water constantly and being blown around by the wind. I can fish from the bank for hours with minimal to no pain. Also think the elevated foot control for the troll has something to do with it, hopefully the I-pilot im about to purchase will make a difference.

Where is your back pain specifically? You mention youre a regular in the gym, have you focused on strengthening your core? Do you stand while fishing or sit?

[WhiteMike1018]

If you can, get one of these seats.  Set it pretty high, so you lean on your lumbar, not your butt.  It works.

 

 

yes I have a seat also....Most of the pain is near my shoulder blades dead smack in the middle of my back...

 

I think it might be the raised trolling motor as the other guy said....because the way your feet are it forces you to use some back/core muscles to balance yourself, without this stress seems it would be a lot better, but Im only in a john boat thats 14foot that I put a deck on for now

[WhiteMike1018]

I used to have a lot of back pain until I bought a boat that had a recessed trolling motor tray and my back hasn't bothered me much since.

 

 

this I think

[BassmanDan]

I fish standing in a jonboat and get it right in the middle of my back too. Seems like the only remedy is to sit down. It is much more noticeable fishing cranks and baits with more resistance. I've been working out hard this year but so far it hasn't helped much. Of course then there's the shoulder, the thumb, the neck...it sucks getting old.

[Jeff H]

800mg  Ibuprofen helps me get through a day.  

[shootermcbob]

I am not an expert, by any stretch, however, I would guess that the majority of your pain comes from poor posture....most people I observe fishing are prone to extreme forward head posture, shoulders rolled forward...esp while retrieving, and forward lean at the waist.

The core work you are doing will help..esp the lower back. rows will help with the pain between the shoulder blades and keeping your shoulders back. Stretching is always a good idea, and a good way to warm up.  However, none of this will "cure" the pain if you continue to have this posture while fishing. Next time you are fishing and you start to feel this pain, STOP and observe your posture. I would venture a guess that you are doing all the above. Most people I observe, myself included, do the same thing. Standing upright with shoulders back, and your head back over your shoulders will most likely eliminate or at least lessen the pain very quickly.

Good luck with this, whatever is causing your pain. Pain really stinks and takes the fun out of fishing...and everything else. If the pain continues, I recommend a visit to your doctor.

[Dpg4603]

When your fishing from a boat your constantly using muscles your not normally use to using. Try to incorporate workouts at the gym that will target the stabilizing muscles in you back. You don't really think about it when your on the water fishing but its a total work out physically and mentally.

Good luck.

[Crookedneck]

A recessed trolling motor foot petal will help, as well as learning to use both feet on the petal if you don't already.  I also find my feet will hurt in heavy wind and waves.  From balancing your weight differently.

[The Rooster]

If you can, get one of these seats.  Set it pretty high, so you lean on your lumbar, not your butt.  It works.

 

I would get one if it would help my back but I don't necessarily need one with all the accessories. Do they have a model that won't eat so much and doesn't have to go poop every so often?

[gripnrip]

I have not done this regimen.  I contacted Brent Chapman over facebook a couple months ago.  I told him I read a recent article that stated that he used a certain workout for pain in the areas a fisherman encounters. This is what he sent me.  I seriously need to give this a shot.  Let me know what you think if you start it up.  

 

Darin

 

http://www.in-fisherman.com/2012/11/14/egocuse-perret-and-me-an-update/

[Diggy]

 You might need some a.r.t therapy or have something out of alignment and the fishing irritates it. Problem could be a loss of range of motion and its putting pressure on your back trying to compensate.

 

[tugsandpulls]

I was much overweight a year ago. Weight loss, working on core strength, stretching to improve flexibility, along with weight training 3 times a week and regular aerobic training has made big difference in my ability to fish for longer periods without fatigue and lower back pain. Strong is good, but it is only one part of the equation. Good luck. Not being able to fish, or only fish for short periods of time is tough on guys like us. 

 

EDIT: For the record I am 5'11" and 205 at this writing. I still have another 20 lb to go to make my target. 

congrats on the weight loss keep it going man

[CPBassFishing]

try standing up straighter. i noticed that in pictures of me fishing that i tend to lean forward a bit, and my back starts hurting after about an hour from hunching over. wearing my backpack full of tackle corrected this and it's making my shoulders stronger.

[Silas]

I remedied most of the pain by getting a full hour massage every Tuesday. 

 

First, I went the day after fishing and being sore;  I was surprised how well it made me feel.  My masseuse said there was a tight spot in my back where the muscles were all bunched up.  I, too, also attribute it to the trolling motor.  An off balance procedure for sure.

 

 As much money as I've spent on fishing tackle, I figured the massage would be just an added cost.

 

She lowered her rate to $40 for the full hour if I went once a week.

 

Best $40 I EVER spent on "fishing tackle!"

[Sutton]

I started going to a chiropractor it was like night and day differance.

[papajoe222]

800mg  Ibuprofen helps me get through a day.  

That's what I used to use at the END of the day.  I found that because I didn't spend a lot of time on my feet at work or home, I'd be hurtin' by the end of a day of fishing.  I would say try standing for 20 min. or so at a time.  It could be that your muscles just aren't used to prolonged standing.  I'm 63 and unless I'm out on rough water, I don't even put my pedestal on the deck, I stand and I don't have a recessed well for my t/m controll. 

BTW the best way to force yourself to stand more is to get out on the water more

[reaction-strike]

I too get this pain. I have also been working out for the past 10yrs, 5-6 days a week. I also work construction. The only aches I get are from fishing...  I believe it is from body position. I tend to hunch a bit when I have a rod in my hands. Your hands are in front of you for hours. I find myself having to stand up straight pull my shoulders back to get a little relief. 

[slonezp]

I would get one if it would help my back but I don't necessarily need one with all the accessories. Do they have a model that won't eat so much and doesn't have to go poop every so often?

John hasn't figured out if you put a red bandanna on a black dog his boat would look like this