Lightning while fishing

[polar05]

No matter how many of us love to fish, safety first.
Lightning and its effects on small boats. Boats are not insulated from lightning strikes, lightning is the danger to which people should be more alert.
Some of the things to do if caught up in a thunderstorm, lower your outriggers, radio antennas and sails.
Drop anchor if necessary get into your cabin if possible, avoid contact with the hull and any metal fittings. Put life jackets on in case of falling over board. The best protection is to just avoid it all together.


tight lines

 

[jonesg]

Re: Lightning while fishing

Jump into your Faraday cage.

 

[LongLine]

Re: Lightning while fishing

Don't forget to take your fishing rods out of the rod holders!

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[tnduc]

Re: Lightning while fishing

Most importantly, know the weather before you go out. Not much is more frightening on the water than hearing the lightning crack overhead as your heading on in to the boat ramp.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Lightning while fishing

Most importantly, know the weather before you go out.

Easier said than done. Not sure about TX but around here there are thunder storms just about everyday in the summer. If you stayed in port on days there was a chance of a TS you might as well sell the boat.

 

[Shamus O'toole]

Re: Lightning while fishing

Like that in FLA also...lightnings just part of the fun when boating in the summer down here. Lower the antenna and hope for the best.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Lightning while fishing

Remember - Dont tip your head back as you drink your frosty cold beverages. The can in the air may attract a strike!

I suggest straws for the really bad storms

 

[gypsysoul]

Re: Lightning while fishing

could be good if your boat has a flux capicitor!

 

[noworries79]

Re: Lightning while fishing

I have also heard that if your running back to the dock in a thunderstorm to put one hand in your pocket and one on the steering wheel. I doesn't make you a complete circuit.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Lightning while fishing

If one is nearby, you can also tie off to an oil or gas rig. They put out a "cone of protection" whose base diameter is equal to the height of the rig. It's still scary though, when the lightning is popping all around you. As my son said, "Tell me about that cone again".

 

[SBTOM]

Re: Lightning while fishing

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/article.jsp?ID=38153&destinationID=

pretty interesting, Florida had almost 1/3rd of the reported strikes....

 

[capt sam]

Re: Lightning while fishing

In south Fla the storms can move in really quick, I've sought refuge under bridges, docks, even tied up to waterfront houses and restuarants and ran under their porches, it can happen that quick.

 

[SBTOM]

Re: Lightning while fishing

Yeah, my grandparents live in Vero Beach... I can remember as a kid that it always seemed to roll in around the afternoon. Everyone had to get out of the pool so we were pissed!

 

[cribber]

Re: Lightning while fishing

We have to deal with the east/west coast sea breezes here in central Florida. We keep an eye on the thunderheads and which breeze is prevalent and hopefully get to outrun that sucker. Here is one we outran last September that blew up out of nowhere!!!

http://s179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/Cheep_photos/?action=view&current=DSC02448.jpg

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Lightning while fishing

I have also heard that if your running back to the dock in a thunderstorm to put one hand in your pocket and one on the steering wheel. I doesn't make you a complete circuit.

But it might make you a complete...

Never mind. rotfl