Fishing during a thunderstorm

[Fastwin]

I searched google for some advice and after reading I gather it's not uncommon for anglers to continue fishing during a thunderstorm. Obviously it's not the wisest choice one could make during their life. What do you do when the thunderstorm that's forecasted comes rolling through? Look for someone's empty dock? Put your rod down and wait it out?

My personal instinct would be to shore the boat up and take my chances on the land. The "lightning strikes the highest point" is a myth. It strikes where there is a charge build up. I've seen a little sappling get blasted when it was between two large trees and lightning strike a fence post in the forest.

What happens when lightning strikes the water? I'm in a metal boat for goodness sakes! If a storm does roll through there doesn't seem like much one could do but hope that nature didn't draw your raffle ticket. EmoLaugh

 

[fishinvol]

I've fished in some really bad storms and faired ok, but never felt safe. I generally will look for an open dock. The worst I can remember was back a few years ago being right below the dam. There wasn't anywhere to go, so Davo and I just fished through it. Was scary, but the fishing was crazy good too !

 

[Fastwin]

One is certainly in prime location for some great fishing since the rain has added fresh oxygen to the water and the fish get more active. My dad always said, "the rain knocks all the insects sitting on branches into the water."

I would have hated to been on the water during that tornado that rolled through a few weeks ago. In the gorge you can see downed trees on one side of the river, and downed trees on the other as it made across the river towards Signal Mountain/ Red Bank. I don't think my boat would even survive through 50mph winds. The 100# worth of sandbags in the bow helps a lot though!

 

[BulletTJ]

I was nearly struck by lightning back in the 80's while fishing a night tournament. It hit the tree on the bank right in front of us. Scared the crap out of us. It was a couple of days before my ears stopped ringing. We sat the rest of the storm out in someones boat slip. I DO NOT mess around with lightning now. It doesnt matter how much money you are fishing for. If you get hit by lightning you arent going to cash a check if your dead. It just isnt worth it to me. Say what you want but at the first sign of lightning my butt is gettin off the water.

 

[preacherman]

I always head for shelter. That may mean an empty boat house or under a bridge. I have also went back to the dock and waited it out in the truck. Not my goal to end up as a headline for the nightly news.

 

[Bbowen]

ya i try to get in a emty slip or several times i have found myself under the highway 58 brige b

 

[EricM]

Sitting in the truck and wondering if you really needed to is a LOT better than sitting in the boat wishing you had run to the truck. Thirty minutes of watching out the windshield at the ramp and saying "WOW" is soooo much more comfortable - and safe. emoThumbsup

 

[Roger2453]

I never liked fishing in a thunderstorm but i have like most of you, i have heard of people having their rods destroyed!! Kinda scary!!

 

[river rat]

Several years ago when I was working at a boat shop on Lake Naciamento in Ca A man and to kids were killed by lightining in an aluminum boat
since mine is aluminum I run for cover in a storm

 

[blazer]

Im allways the first back to the ramp when a storm starts rolling inemoLaugh emoLaugh .I love to fish but its not worth loosing your life over.Once the storm blows ove you can allways go back out.But if you get caught out and cant make it back to the dock its better to get under a bridge or a boat slip.

 

[clutch442]

I head back to the ramp asap and pull the boat out of the water. If getting back to the ramp is not feasible, I will at least get under a bridge or a boat slip until it lightens up. I definitely would not stay out there in an aluminum boat. Alulinum just conducts electricty to well for me to be comfortable in a storm.

 

[SethColeman]

I heard if you stick slim jim and cheese on metal pole and hold it up in the air, it will keep you safe! I personally would get off the water

 

[bostira]

I work for a cellular company on the cell sites and often see the damage that lightning can do. Ever seen concrete blown off of the bottom of tower legs?!?!?!?! Lightning will strike what has the best ground (least resistance) and blow it apart. I personally run for cover and try to get into or under something metal like a truck or a roofed dock. The truck is the best bet...

 

[Fastwin]

SethColeman
I heard if you stick slim jim and cheese on metal pole and hold it up in the air, it will keep you safe! I personally would get off the water

emoTskTsk no jokes! emoLaugh

I think I have it figured out! Lightning + Slim Jim = transforming into this:

 

[Guest]

Anyone willfully fishing in a thunderstorm has a death wish. I reckon it would be a quick way to go. emoEek

 

[churly]

I have fished through many. I just make sure my head is lower than my partners! Its not hard to do when your only 5'9" in high heels...

Usually durring storms, the barometer is all over the place which can make for some good fishing.

 

[Pop-R]

Me and some friends took the boat out of the water and headed for the house during a storm. After the storm past we decided to head back to the ramp without the boat and just fish from the dock for a while over at Shellmound. The storm had moved on but you could still hear it in the distance. We were catching fish like crazy. That is till on of my buddies said do you hear that! When you would raise you rod up with the line in the water you would start to hear a light buzzing sound. Each one of us did it. The one that noticed hit kept his up a short while and the tip started to glow. Can't explain it, I guess electricity in the air. Whatever it was we saw no need for further investagation & we decided we were getting back to the house.

 

[procraft]

i was fishing a tx at sullavins 3 years ago and lightning hit about 15 foot in front of my boat it made my hair stand up and i could smell it in the air a friend was fishing about 50 yards behind me but could not see me for the rain he yelled and ask was i ok but i did not here him at weigh in he said he thought it hit me but when he herd my moter crank and head south as fast as it would run he new i had not been struck now i will head for cover if their is any if not i will try to go away from the storm

 

[Bass Addict]

Pop-R - 3/24/2011 11:26 AM Me and some friends took the boat out of the water and headed for the house during a storm. After the storm past we decided to head back to the ramp without the boat and just fish from the dock for a while over at Shellmound. The storm had moved on but you could still hear it in the distance. We were catching fish like crazy. That is till on of my buddies said do you hear that! When you would raise you rod up with the line in the water you would start to hear a light buzzing sound. Each one of us did it. The one that noticed hit kept his up a short while and the tip started to glow. Can't explain it, I guess electricity in the air. Whatever it was we saw no need for further investagation & we decided we were getting back to the house.

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I have done the same thing in a boat before and after a storm down there. It will alsolift your line if it has slack in it. nothingmore scarythan your rod tip singing.</p>

 

[BulletTJ]

Our line was lifting and my partners hair was standing up just before lightning struck the tree right in front of us. It was like standing next to a bomb that just went off. Lightning is bad enough but you throw in being on the water and you are asking for trouble. Just not worth it!!!!! Get off the water.