Don’t Drink Too Much on Day One

It’s your vacation, and only you can meaningfully analyze your own alcohol tolerance, but I strongly suggest that upon arrival at a fishing lodge or fishing camp you take it slow on the booze for the first portion of your trip. I know, you’re away from the office, possibly away from your family, and you want to let loose. That’s ok, but if this is a serious fishing trip, I’m almost certain you’ll be happier if you wait until later in the trip to open the hatch a little bit wider, if you elect to do so at all.

First off, you’ve probably traveled a fair distance to get here. You may be jetlagged or dehydrated from the trip, or you may have changed time zones. None of those lend themselves to getting up early the next day when combined with one too many drinks. You want to enter the first day of fishing rested. I’ve seen plenty of “Rambos” who are convinced they can drink and play cards all night and get up to fish the next day. They might be able to do it for one day, but I’ve yet to see anyone do it for more than that.

Besides, you’re probably not as coordinated or funny as you think you are when inebriated. If there are other guests on site, they’re going to shy away from you. That might not seem like a big deal, but if one of them gets on the hot bait or a particular tactic sometime during the trip, you want to be with the “in crowd” who gets tipped off.

Furthermore, if you’re hung over or just plain tired, you’re not going to fish up to your capabilities. You might be less coordinated than usual and fall. Your guide may think you suck. He might not take you seriously or think you can utilize certain tactics. Get off on the right foot with him and you can loosen up as the trip goes on.

I’m certainly not a teetotaler, and I don’t mean to be a killjoy, but when I go on a fishing vacation everything else is secondary to the fishing itself. Otherwise I’d just go to an all-inclusive bikinifest like Club Med. Feel free to get loaded later in the trip if that’s your jam, but in order to get your money’s worth on a FISHING vacation, try to exercise moderation as long as you can.