Preparing your body for a 6 day (ten hour days) tournament

[Bandersnatch]

It’s an August trip.

 

I fish an all buddies tournament in Canada that has been going on for many years. Believe it or not, it’s several guys in a boat and quite a few boats for six days. My question is, how would you prepare your body for such an event? 
 

Obviously real tournament fisherman have to do similar. Over the years I’ve learned a lot. It’s a blast of a time but it’s all a grind if you don’t take care of yourself, drink to much or just plain aren’t prepared. It’s a balance between having fun in the boat and at night. 
 

Items I’ve started 

* drink as little alcohol as possible

*physical preparation 

 

* hand gripper months out

* I’ve toyed with filling a 1 inch piece of pvc with sand and cutting it at 8 ft to simulate long hours of flipping 

* went to full clothing coverage, can’t let the sun get to you at all 

 

* balance ball? 
 

How would you prepare? I can assure, it’s a beat down and I am to endure it while having as much fun as possible 

 

 

 

[BigAngus752]

 

The #1 recommendation I have for you is to begin a very thorough stretching/flexibility routine on a daily basis.  Get as flexy as you can up until the day of the tournament.  Find some accounts on social media that do flexibility and stability exercises for your specific age range and gender.  I'd have to take a foam roller with me and roll my back on the deck a couple times a day starting on day 3, without a doubt.  

 

On a lighter note, I'd go the opposite with the alcohol.  I'd start drinking now and make sure I was a raging alcoholic before I got there.  It's like an ultra-marathon for your liver.  You gotta build up the endurance.  I might even fly to Denver and get drunk where the air is thinner....train hard.  

 

[crypt]

stretching is way important.try doing some light weight training with high reps to build up stamina.also ride a bike stationary or around town to help with stamina also. as far as alcohol, I agree with BigAngus752 start early and don't stop!!!!!! LOL......have fun and good luck. let us know how you all did. 

[MediumMouthBass]

Alcohol can dehydrate your body so giving that up temporarily is a good idea, definitely dont want to become dehydrated anytime of the year. Remember to drink (water or something with electrolytes if sweating) often when in the tournament. Even though it wont be hot temps like summer you can still get dehydrated, and that can make you lose focus, have difficulty concentrating among other things....

 

From an exercise perspective look into the 3 by 5 strength program (quick youtube video gives you all the info you need and its usually a 15-40 minute workout), lots of grip strength training too, farmers carrys are good but the idea with that pvc pipe is good too. Also look into doing some rotational/anti rotational (transverse plane of motion) exercises. I use those alot for hours and hours a day of ripping the rod to the side while fishing lipless cranks.

 

Balance comes alot from the core muscles and core stability, lots of people have weak cores (even people with 6 pack abs because the muscles that show and the muscles you use are very different in that part of the body) look into some core strengthening videos on YT.

 

And throw in some cardio work/conditioning because well why not! (Builds endurance for days long fishing).

[Susky River Rat]

Something that I would recommend is an anti inflammatory all the days not just if/ when you get sore. Do not let yourself get to that point or you won’t be able to dig your way out. Ice anything that may nag you. As important as the pre getting in shape is maintaining yourself while doing it is key. I would also try to simulate at least 3 days in a row or as many as you can before hand. 

[A-Jay]

12 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

I fish an all buddies tournament in Canada that has been going on for many years. Believe it or not, it’s several guys in a boat and quite a few boats for six days. My question is, how would you prepare your body for such an event? 
 

Obviously real tournament fisherman have to do similar. Over the years I’ve learned a lot. It’s a blast of a time but it’s all a grind if you don’t take care of yourself, drink to much or just plain aren’t prepared. It’s a balance between having fun in the boat and at night. 
 

Items I’ve started 

* drink as little alcohol as possible

*physical preparation 

 

* hand gripper months out

* I’ve toyed with filling a 1 inch piece of pvc with sand and cutting it at 8 ft to simulate long hours of flipping 

* went to full clothing coverage, can’t let the sun get to you at all 

 

* balance ball? 
 

How would you prepare? I can assure, it’s a beat down and I am to endure it while having as much fun as possible 

 

 

 

Plenty of solid advice offered already in this one.

My version is, Practice how you play.

If I want to get good at running long distance, I wouldn't prepare by doing push ups. 

I'd go run long distance. 

So when I want to get good at fishing a lot,

I go fishing a lot. 

Work up to duplicating what you want to be able to do,

and keep doing it.

Start off with slow, take time off and then challenge yourself.

Eat, Sleep, Hydrate and fish - rinse & repeat. 

btw - if you stay in decent shape all the time,

getting to this point is less of a stretch - just saying.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[Bandersnatch]

11 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Plenty of solid advice offered already in this one.

My version is, Practice how you play.

If I want to get good at running long distance, I wouldn't prepare by doing push ups. 

I'd go run long distance. 

So when I want to get good at fishing a lot,

I go fishing a lot. 

Work up to duplicating what you want to be able to do,

and keep doing it.

Start off with slow, take time off and then challenge yourself.

Eat, Sleep, Hydrate and fish - rinse & repeat. 

btw - if you stay in decent shape all the time,

getting to this point is less of a stretch - just saying.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

Thanks Ajay. I fish leading up to this tournament as much as I can but unfortunately having long days on the water before a two week fishing trip isn’t ideal for the wife and kids. 
 

i forgot to add. This trip is 13 days, I pre fish the lake for 6 days prior to the six day tournament . It’s a blast but a serious beat down 

Thanks for the advice guys. I forgot to say that the tip is in August and I go for a week early. I pre fish for fun so ultimately I end up fishing close to ten hours a day for the six days prior to the six day tournament. I’m in my late 30s but it’s still such a beat. It’s an absolute blast but it’s a challenge to not get super beat up. Sometimes, it feels likes you can’t even squeeze tour hand closed anymore. It’s thousands up thousands of pitches. I wouldn’t change it for anything 😂 

[A-Jay]

20 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

Thanks Ajay. I fish leading up to this tournament as much as I can but unfortunately having long days on the water before a two week fishing trip isn’t ideal for the wife and kids. 
 

i forgot to add. This trip is 13 days, I pre fish for run for 6 days priory to the six day tournament . It’s a blast but a serious beat down 

Thanks for the advice guys. I forgot to say that the tip is in August and I go for a week early. I pre fish for fun so ultimately I end up fishing close to ten hours a day for the six days prior to the six day tournament. I’m in my late 30s but it’s still such a beat. It’s an absolute blast but it’s a challenge to not get super beat up. Sometimes, it feels likes you can’t even squeeze tour hand closed anymore. It’s thousands up thousands of pitches. I wouldn’t change it for anything 😂 

OK - I get it - happened to me on trips south of the border at times.

Perhaps, don't 'stay up with the boys' at night & participate in reindeer games.

Hit the rack early instead; especially the first few nights.

Your mind, body & spirit will perform better the next and each subsequent day,

if allowed to recover as much as possible after each days fishing.

If not, once you get behind the 8 ball, there's no making that back up.

A-Jay

 

[Bandersnatch]

12 hours ago, Susky River Rat said:

Something that I would recommend is an anti inflammatory all the days not just if/ when you get sore. Do not let yourself get to that point or you won’t be able to dig your way out. Ice anything that may nag you. As important as the pre getting in shape is maintaining yourself while doing it is key. I would also try to simulate at least 3 days in a row or as many as you can before hand. 

Great call on the anti inflammatory. Two years ago I started taking a single ibprofen first thing in the morning, it seemed to really help loosen things up. As mentioned before, you can really stiffen up. It’s probably ideal to consider Whole Foods to snack on

[Functional]

start hydrating a few days before you leave for the trip. Hydration starts before you do activity and for that long its possible you could fall behind quickly even if you start the first day. If you plan on drinking any add some extra water to your target.

 

Add electrolytes to your drinking plans per day. I'm not sure how true it is but I've been told 1 gatorade a day should be enough unless you are dripping sweat all day. 

[TnRiver46]

5 hours ago, Functional said:

 unless you are dripping sweat all day. 

All day every day ! 

[webertime]

Stretch your hips and back a lot

[txchaser]

Chug electrolytes, lay down flat for 15 minutes, get up and drink some caffeine then go hard for part II when everyone else is fading. 

 

15 minutes feels like forever but it'll help keep you from droning and robocasting the second half of the day. 

[Bandersnatch]

T minus 9 days. Serious question. creatine, I typically take 5g of creatine daily. I’m 37, I lift occasionally but I typically find that I have more energy and have better mental clarity when taking creatine. What do we know about creatine? Well, for starters, you need to have more water drank daily. If you drink alcohol, you’ll probably be even more dehydrated. With that said, if you drink lots of water and don’t drink alcohol  it will probably be better to take it. What do you think? It probably helps reel in a big frog fish 😉 

[A-Jay]

20 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

T minus 9 days. Serious question. creatine, I typically take 5g of creatine daily. I’m 37, I lift occasionally but I typically find that I have more energy and have better mental clarity when taking creatine. What do we know about creatine? Well, for starters, you need to have more water drank daily. If you drink alcohol, you’ll probably be even more dehydrated. With that said, if you drink lots of water and don’t drink alcohol  it will probably be better to take it. What do you think? It probably helps reel in a big frog fish 😉 

 

 I've been taking it DAILY for 30 plus years.

Here's why ~

Creatine is a compound that comes from three amino acids. Creatine is found mostly in your body's muscles as well as in the brain. Most people get creatine through seafood and red meat — though at levels far below those found in synthetically made creatine supplements. The body's liver, pancreas and kidneys also can make about 1 gram of creatine per day.

Your body stores creatine as phosphocreatine primarily in your muscles, where it's used for energy. As a result, people take creatine orally to improve athletic performance and increase muscle mass.

People also use oral creatine to treat certain brain disorders, neuromuscular conditions, congestive heart failure and other conditions. Topical creatine might be used to treat aging skin.

What the research says

Research on creatine use for specific activities and conditions shows:

Strength, muscle size and performance. Oral creatine use might allow an athlete to do more work during reps or sprints, leading to greater gains in strength, muscle mass and performance. Creatine is often used by athletes involved in high-intensity intermittent activities that require a rapid recovery during training and competition.

Injury prevention. Oral creatine might reduce the frequency of dehydration, muscle cramping, and injuries to the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons and nerves.

Rare creatine-metabolizing syndromes. In children with the certain creatine deficiency syndromes, oral creatine supplements might improve some symptoms.

Cognition and brain health. Creatine supplementation might improve performance during cognitive tasks, especially in older adults.

Sarcopenia and bone health. Creatine supplementation might help counteract age-related declines in skeletal muscle and bone mineral density.

Heart failure. There isn't enough evidence to recommend use of oral creatine as a heart failure treatment.

Skin aging. Early research suggests that a cream containing creatine and other ingredients applied to the face every day for six weeks might reduce skin sag and wrinkles in men. Another study suggests that a cream containing creatine and folic acid improves sun damage and reduces wrinkles.

People who have low levels of creatine — such as vegetarians — appear to benefit most from creatine supplements.

YMMV

A-Jay

[Bandersnatch]

16 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

 

 I've been taking it DAILY for 30 plus years.

Here's why ~

Creatine is a compound that comes from three amino acids. Creatine is found mostly in your body's muscles as well as in the brain. Most people get creatine through seafood and red meat — though at levels far below those found in synthetically made creatine supplements. The body's liver, pancreas and kidneys also can make about 1 gram of creatine per day.

Your body stores creatine as phosphocreatine primarily in your muscles, where it's used for energy. As a result, people take creatine orally to improve athletic performance and increase muscle mass.

People also use oral creatine to treat certain brain disorders, neuromuscular conditions, congestive heart failure and other conditions. Topical creatine might be used to treat aging skin.

What the research says

Research on creatine use for specific activities and conditions shows:

Strength, muscle size and performance. Oral creatine use might allow an athlete to do more work during reps or sprints, leading to greater gains in strength, muscle mass and performance. Creatine is often used by athletes involved in high-intensity intermittent activities that require a rapid recovery during training and competition.

Injury prevention. Oral creatine might reduce the frequency of dehydration, muscle cramping, and injuries to the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons and nerves.

Rare creatine-metabolizing syndromes. In children with the certain creatine deficiency syndromes, oral creatine supplements might improve some symptoms.

Cognition and brain health. Creatine supplementation might improve performance during cognitive tasks, especially in older adults.

Sarcopenia and bone health. Creatine supplementation might help counteract age-related declines in skeletal muscle and bone mineral density.

Heart failure. There isn't enough evidence to recommend use of oral creatine as a heart failure treatment.

Skin aging. Early research suggests that a cream containing creatine and other ingredients applied to the face every day for six weeks might reduce skin sag and wrinkles in men. Another study suggests that a cream containing creatine and folic acid improves sun damage and reduces wrinkles.

People who have low levels of creatine — such as vegetarians — appear to benefit most from creatine supplements.

YMMV

A-Jay

So yes. Take it… 

[gim]

A trip to the seafood or prime rib buffet might help too. 

[Tackleholic]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

 

 I've been taking it DAILY for 30 plus years.

Here's why ~

Creatine is a compound that comes from three amino acids. Creatine is found mostly in your body's muscles as well as in the brain. Most people get creatine through seafood and red meat — though at levels far below those found in synthetically made creatine supplements. The body's liver, pancreas and kidneys also can make about 1 gram of creatine per day.

Your body stores creatine as phosphocreatine primarily in your muscles, where it's used for energy. As a result, people take creatine orally to improve athletic performance and increase muscle mass.

People also use oral creatine to treat certain brain disorders, neuromuscular conditions, congestive heart failure and other conditions. Topical creatine might be used to treat aging skin.

What the research says

Research on creatine use for specific activities and conditions shows:

Strength, muscle size and performance. Oral creatine use might allow an athlete to do more work during reps or sprints, leading to greater gains in strength, muscle mass and performance. Creatine is often used by athletes involved in high-intensity intermittent activities that require a rapid recovery during training and competition.

Injury prevention. Oral creatine might reduce the frequency of dehydration, muscle cramping, and injuries to the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons and nerves.

Rare creatine-metabolizing syndromes. In children with the certain creatine deficiency syndromes, oral creatine supplements might improve some symptoms.

Cognition and brain health. Creatine supplementation might improve performance during cognitive tasks, especially in older adults.

Sarcopenia and bone health. Creatine supplementation might help counteract age-related declines in skeletal muscle and bone mineral density.

Heart failure. There isn't enough evidence to recommend use of oral creatine as a heart failure treatment.

Skin aging. Early research suggests that a cream containing creatine and other ingredients applied to the face every day for six weeks might reduce skin sag and wrinkles in men. Another study suggests that a cream containing creatine and folic acid improves sun damage and reduces wrinkles.

People who have low levels of creatine — such as vegetarians — appear to benefit most from creatine supplements.

YMMV

A-Jay

Good post on creatine, A-Jay, I'm a firm believer in it.  I've been supplementing creatine 10 years longer than you, but you will probably catch up with me since you are 17 years my junior.  I'm a gym rat when not fishing and most serious weight trainers are on creatine.

[TOXIC]

I do 2 trips that are 7 days of what we call “combat fishing”.  While all the recommendations for stretching and exercises and the obvious hydration, there’s only 1 thing that prepares me for these trips……..long hard days of fishing before the actual trips.  Nothing works the muscles you are going to be using like using the muscles you are going to be using.  I’m obviously no fitness guru and I carry a lot of weight but in 21 years of going to St Clair and fishing in some pretty challenging weather and water, I have never missed a day.  I’m 67 and this last trip in May, I did something to pull my back and was having terrible back spasms before the trip.  Having been a guide for over 15 years, I have never had any back problems.  The last trip I actually wore a back brace to help both insure I didn’t injure it more and to give me a little more support.  I’m totally fine now and I have no idea what happened.   

[Bandersnatch]

6 hours ago, TOXIC said:

I do 2 trips that are 7 days of what we call “combat fishing”.  While all the recommendations for stretching and exercises and the obvious hydration, there’s only 1 thing that prepares me for these trips……..long hard days of fishing before the actual trips.  Nothing works the muscles you are going to be using like using the muscles you are going to be using.  I’m obviously no fitness guru and I carry a lot of weight but in 21 years of going to St Clair and fishing in some pretty challenging weather and water, I have never missed a day.  I’m 67 and this last trip in May, I did something to pull my back and was having terrible back spasms before the trip.  Having been a guide for over 15 years, I have never had any back problems.  The last trip I actually wore a back brace to help both insure I didn’t injure it more and to give me a little more support.  I’m totally fine now and I have no idea what happened.   

Thank you! Some thinks have changed and this trip coming up has turned into 16 nights. Half of which will be with my son. Being this long of a trip I am extremely lucky. It’s making me rethink many things including just having to play it by ear and do some rest. This is especially true what the first ten days will

be fun fishing followed by 6 days of 10 hour a day tournament fishing 

[Susky River Rat]

@TOXIC is spot on. When I raced we were taught to practice like we race. 

[SC53]

11 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 

 I've been taking it DAILY for 30 plus years.

Here's why ~

Creatine is a compound that comes from three amino acids. Creatine is found mostly in your body's muscles as well as in the brain. Most people get creatine through seafood and red meat — though at levels far below those found in synthetically made creatine supplements. The body's liver, pancreas and kidneys also can make about 1 gram of creatine per day.

Your body stores creatine as phosphocreatine primarily in your muscles, where it's used for energy. As a result, people take creatine orally to improve athletic performance and increase muscle mass.

People also use oral creatine to treat certain brain disorders, neuromuscular conditions, congestive heart failure and other conditions. Topical creatine might be used to treat aging skin.

What the research says

Research on creatine use for specific activities and conditions shows:

Strength, muscle size and performance. Oral creatine use might allow an athlete to do more work during reps or sprints, leading to greater gains in strength, muscle mass and performance. Creatine is often used by athletes involved in high-intensity intermittent activities that require a rapid recovery during training and competition.

Injury prevention. Oral creatine might reduce the frequency of dehydration, muscle cramping, and injuries to the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons and nerves.

Rare creatine-metabolizing syndromes. In children with the certain creatine deficiency syndromes, oral creatine supplements might improve some symptoms.

Cognition and brain health. Creatine supplementation might improve performance during cognitive tasks, especially in older adults.

Sarcopenia and bone health. Creatine supplementation might help counteract age-related declines in skeletal muscle and bone mineral density.

Heart failure. There isn't enough evidence to recommend use of oral creatine as a heart failure treatment.

Skin aging. Early research suggests that a cream containing creatine and other ingredients applied to the face every day for six weeks might reduce skin sag and wrinkles in men. Another study suggests that a cream containing creatine and folic acid improves sun damage and reduces wrinkles.

People who have low levels of creatine — such as vegetarians — appear to benefit most from creatine supplements.

YMMV

A-Jay

Andy, what brand creatine do you use?

[herder]

1 hour ago, SC53 said:

Andy, what brand creatine do you use?

Was wondering the same thing,,,been using Creapure as it is supposedly 100% pure.

Creatine might be the most researched supplement and one of the most beneficial with the least side effects of any of the supplements.

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, SC53 said:

Andy, what brand creatine do you use?

 

22 minutes ago, herder said:

Was wondering the same thing,,,been using Creapure as it is supposedly 100% pure.

Creatine might be the most researched supplement and one of the most beneficial with the least side effects of any of the supplements.

I buy in bulk and have a tricky little deal I came up with a while ago.

btw amazon has decent prices in name brand supplements. 

 

I use this specific brand and container and it has to be the 2.2 lb jug.

https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Nutrition-Micronized-Creatine-Production/dp/B0CWMDFCGX/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1YYSLZEX3Z8N1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IW4Ty8LCCTYy5GZc6NL4P2W6_qJuIXTbWwzNIZsNRwLgD-oxNwqe-o0nYhTP-z45RBlYaJtj1J0_Ao1kkXmVBLveZ5FEQWBiyurTsfHxpRc99FyRRes2Jq-J_4_P7x4vP7I5qHK3zKNd_TKa26KolM-49C_KeIy57DIyTOMuBj0c9bXqMAOX4pvKgpflY7SxLViUSRZLW5a5bl1jqbK3nofoh1BaWyxnRfwlagElxI9j7uBEcaLsMqNEY_MifEZI8QIKYk6ktb5f2e5CfSiUrnnuHW_ekCNzzX-0wwDV-QA.uYdPNtTgwrKX0h5tG6_BKgxts0RHuY-buMejDR3VYgs&dib_tag=se&keywords=now+creatine&qid=1721827520&sprefix=now+creatine%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-6

 

Once it's gone and from then on,

I buy this one below which is the same serving 200 size but less Cash. 

I pour it into the above container which is easier to use and seals better than the bag deal with the zip lock closure. It's a tight fit but it's full. 

tip - only cut a corner off the bag to pour it onto the jug, less waste. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/BULKSUPPLEMENTS-COM-Creatine-Monohydrate-Powder-Supplement/dp/B00E9M4XEE/ref=sr_1_5_pp?crid=1QTD0HBDFD511&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Mt0NqMvDxkWbPGs4ooMBN61s55rNc1_IrVGthViUOG-s-gTPYngxz5nqIELno4fBuPAIEQB5ofhuwjMVvJL3UhQyuV7G5SPatp5VXc3yZyBqhRjsA8ymLnJf9AlavzfVwg1xDswrZ7ctYbPIMDlPsDw6sCbvc-7If8omDpfKvK5QVncZspVa8Knfa6nbOpNHNu1EOvRU6kcCZjQ-TmEhNqARFbgXDAYzaIjEL8FhNF-L4JLYBHXPJgSQMFk6PPaa4LrEtXnM-6MXCVEGadGJxeFFtcfP5YrehyqHhTCjgIQ.dPifjJH7DUmXwRlFi8xQBE2Z4FxI50r97y5DpJciM2I&dib_tag=se&keywords=creatine+monohydrate&qid=1721827612&sprefix=creatine%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-5

 

Good Luck

A-Jay

[TOXIC]

7 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

Thank you! Some thinks have changed and this trip coming up has turned into 16 nights. Half of which will be with my son. Being this long of a trip I am extremely lucky. It’s making me rethink many things including just having to play it by ear and do some rest. This is especially true what the first ten days will

be fun fishing followed by 6 days of 10 hour a day tournament fishing 

My uneducated advice would be to take it as easy as possible and take breaks as needed.  Water break, lunch break, give you some time to sit and rejuvenate.  Get good sleep and like I said, try to get out and fish hard a few days/weeks before your trip.  I don’t discount overall physical fitness and in my younger days I was a wrestler and football player but those  days are long gone and I have no desire tax my body any more in the gym and heavy training.  I now do what is required to keep me mobile and able to do the things I want.  Fishing fitness is totally different from overall physical fitness because of the specific muscle groups involved.  If overall training works those muscle groups then that’s a plus.  I found in my years of guiding that when I had guys that were physical specimens fish a hard 8 hours, more likely than not, they were sitting down long before me and that included some of my clients that were professional football players.😂