I had herniated disc surgery in september and i mready to get back on the lake.

Granted i do not have a boat but have friends that do, I'm concerned what i should do or not do about riding in the boat. I initially asked my doctor if it was ok and he said it was fine, but big boats is a no go. Which makes no sense to me because larger boats ride smoother and bass boats can be pretty jarring at times.


have any of you had back surgery and what did/do you do when riding or driving your boat?

Hopefully your buddies will be understanding and take it easy out there... that being said, it will behoove you to go on a day when there is minimal wind... there is alot of difference between riding on plane across glass smooth water, and riding across choppy wavey water

If im passenger I lift my butt off the seat when its rough , if im driving I slow down . It also depends if were in my Champion or his Ranger ( stir that pot)

Been through 2 surgeries myself. No specific event caused the herniation(s). Its lower back for me. Doc told me to pick and choose my battles carefully. That said, it hasn't been an issue.

Your doctor is not too sharp about bass boats. No worries. I'd rather my doctor spend his weekend researching science articles than watching Bill Dance Outdoor shows anyway.

I've probably got the roughest riding boat ever made. I've taken some hard hits but I usually slow down when it gets nasty. Don't be afraid to idle, either.

You might consider a cushion or pad to sit on and a back brace strap. Maybe one of the Donut Air Cushions MIGHT help but nothing is gonna help if you get caught in the choppy or sweels and your driver does a couple of "air jumps".

Agree with the seat pad/cushion. Anything to elevate your hips above your knees and take some pressure off the lumbar. 2 years ago I had surgery L4L5 for a ruptured disc from a nasty auto accident.

I take the waves very carefully now. But still see many pros blowing over them recklessly without any consideration for their co-angler or general safety for other boaters. Hope they have good health insurance. The pressure on the spinal discs is increased so much when you're seated and bouncing up and down.

I use a back brace at all time, especially on the water. Tighten it up and you should be okay, as long as the boat driver knows how to run in the wind and waves. If not, you could be in for a long trip. Hope this helps.

Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

I knew someone that had serious back issues. His doc told him he would be better off in a pontoon boat

I had back problems and bought a donut cushion from medical supplies used for people with hemroid operations. That solved my boat riding problems on my back while driving my boat. Don't put too much air. Just enough for your body weight.

one test you can do is sit in your lazy boy recliner have your wife get behind you and start shaking your chair back and forth side to side for bout 2-3 mins and see how that feels the next day!!

you will know!!! lol

I would drive your truck separately to the ramp and see how it goes... I too have a bad back and will be getting surgery shortly. I'm one to fish long periods of time,12-14 hours, I just can't stop! But I can bet you that after surgery, I will be taking it easy. I want it to heal properly. Only you will know your recovery time and what is okay and what isn't. The doughnut idea sounds great!

This coming from a guy that has fairly severe back problems and my neck is stiff(meaning I can't turn my head left or right, look up or down) due to a degenerative bone disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. I've been a tournament fisherman since about 14 years old, but have fished my entire life. The jarring of the waves use to about kill me. On really windy days when the swells get 3-5 ft or larger boat handling skills are the most important thing. My father let me start driving the boat at a young age because for one the driver can anticipate what is going to happen in the waves and they have the steering wheel to hold on to and help contain some of the tossing around. My dad has a 20'3 Champion that handles rough water great but the seats suck. I have a 21' Ranger that may be a little bit rougher ride but the seats are designed to cushion that some. If your out with friends ask them to let you drive their boat. Or if your in a tournament as a non boater buy a thick(6+ ") memory foam pillow and sit on it. When its really rough like on Texoma, Lake Eufala(OK), Toledo, or Rayburn with a north wind I always hope the tournament director allows trailering if I'm wanting to fish on the opposite end of the lake, if they don't I'm fishing close to take off.

i really appreciate all the input guys. it seems the most common thing is some sort of padding for my rear end......luckily the guys i fish with know my issue and wouldn't do anything to jeopardize my health or theirs for that...

i love fishing, but on a crazy windy day ill either be at home or on the bank....im 23 and have a lot of life to live with the body I've been given, no reason to have my remaining years in pain

I was back in the boat one week after mine...juat take slow and easy youll be fine

OMG! That's the funniest thing I've ever heard!

I had a 2006 Ranger Z20 and my partner cussed me and that boat very time we got into the slightest chop. We so speared half a dozen 3'-ers coming back into Humphrey's on Rayburn back in February and we got absolutely soaked.

Now I will say that everyone tells me the Z20 and Z21 were Ranger's only mistakes and that their 520 & 521 were MUCH better. It stinks that the Z20 was the first and only "Rain-ger" (my partner started calling it that because we got so wet...lol) that I bought because it ruined me on them.

I already had two bad disks in my lower back so I was hurting already, but the ride in that Z20 was terrible.