| Super moisturized air whipped by strong | | | | of 500,000 times the electricity needed to power |
| southwest winds had baked all afternoon under an | | | | a sparkplug! Lightning follows Ben Franklin's "path |
| intense June sun along the New England lakeshore | | | | of least resistance" rule, andguess what? The |
| we were fishing for bass and trout. The heated, | | | | path can easily be through a fisherman's body, |
| humid air rose sharply into an unstable | | | | which happens to conduct electricity quite well. So, |
| atmosphere and soon towering cumulous clouds | | | | if it's impossible to seek indoor shelter and you |
| darkened the sky - the process of convection | | | | are trapped outside during a thunderstorm, |
| (basically, the transfer of heat) had begun. It | | | | reducing your exposure is critical. |
| wasn't long before we heard the first rumble of | | | | First thing to do - lay down your fishing rods, |
| thunder and could smell the metallic odor of | | | | they could act like an antennae and draw a |
| ozone, a byproduct of rapid condensation in rain | | | | lightning strike right to you. |
| or storm clouds. Considering the forecast called | | | | If on land, seek like-sized shrubs or a group of |
| for severe thunderstorms, now was the moment | | | | small trees, get low and avoid touching the plants. |
| to pack up our fishing tackle andseek shelter | | | | On open terrain like fishing beaches or desert |
| inside the nearest gas station or Mickey D's - we | | | | potholes with no form of cover, find a low spot |
| didn't want to be struck by lightning. Not even a | | | | and crouch on your heels. Never move towards |
| record largemouth bass isworth getting fried over. | | | | solitary trees and avoid isolated structures like |
| I love the phenomena of thunderstorms. Like | | | | gazebos or picnic table covers (especially if they |
| many of you, I'm fascinated by the crackle of | | | | are constructed of metal), lightning can travel as |
| lightning bolts and house shaking thunderclaps. | | | | much a 60 feet sideways after striking an object. |
| Also, like too many people, I've unwisely continued | | | | An automobile - but not convertibles or cars with |
| fishing while a storm approached when I should | | | | a fiberglass roof - offer some shelter but put |
| have been long gone to safety. | | | | your hands in your lap and avoid contact with the |
| Lightning strikes kill an average of 80-100 people | | | | steering wheel, radio, ignition, etc. |
| every year in the U.S., more than hurricanes and | | | | Boaters are at great risk because they are often |
| tornados combined. A little more than half of | | | | the highest object on the water's surface. Even |
| victims were engaged in outdoor recreation like | | | | distant thunder or lightning flashes should trigger |
| fishing or boating. Ten times as many are struck | | | | an immediate move toward shelter on land. As a |
| but survive - many with severe, life-long injuries | | | | last resort, lower all fishing rods and radio |
| or disabilities. With the height of lightning season | | | | antennas, then crouch down without contacting |
| upon us, it's timefor fishermen to consider lightning | | | | any metal railings, wiring, or the motor; don't get |
| safety. | | | | in the water or dangle your legs or hands in the |
| According to the National Weather Service, | | | | water. If there is time, disconnect the VHF radio |
| lightning can strike as many as ten miles away | | | | and GPS, this way they may survive a lightning |
| from its source cloud. This is why it is | | | | strike. Lightning protection systems are available |
| recommended to stop fishing and move indoors | | | | for some fishing boats but getting off the water |
| as soon any thunder is heard. And because the | | | | is safer. |
| debris clouds trailing behind a thunderstorm can | | | | Lightning strikes the United States around 25 |
| producetheir own lightning, fishermen should wait | | | | million times per year. Most Florida fishermen |
| 30 minutes after the storm has passed to begin | | | | won't be 'shocked' to hear their state annuallyhas |
| fishing to be completely safe. While inside during a | | | | more strikes than any other. However, NOAA |
| storm stay away from doors and windows, | | | | notes that lightning occurs in all fifty states. |
| plumbing, wiring, appliances and telephones. | | | | Lightning can occur at any time, but late |
| A somewhat less conservative response to | | | | afternoon hours are the most dangerous periods |
| seeing lightning involves the "30/30 rule." Upon | | | | for lightning strikes, and folks spending time |
| spotting lightning, if you can count to 30 | | | | outside in open areas like fields or beaches are |
| beforehearing thunder, the odds are you're out of | | | | the most common victims. So make yourself |
| range of the lightning. A count of five before | | | | aware of the weather forecast before heading |
| hearing thunder equals roughly one mile of | | | | out to fish and if the predictions include |
| distance from a lightning strike, a count of ten | | | | thunderstorms plan on returning home before the |
| equals two miles, etc. However, thunderstorms | | | | storms are due to bubble up. |
| can move as fast as 50mph so the next bolt of | | | | Fishing for bass, walleye, trout, catfish, bream, or |
| lightning could be right on top of you. | | | | whichever species you favor, can be a fun way |
| William Becker, of the University of Florida, notes | | | | to enjoy the great outdoors if you keep in mind |
| that lightning is very unpredictable and bolts | | | | lightning safety whenever you grab your fishing |
| contain as much as 100 million volts - aminimum | | | | rods for a day on the water. |