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Super moisturized air whipped by strong southwest winds had baked all afternoon under an intense June sun along the New England lakeshore we were fishing for bass and trout. The heated, humid air rose sharply into an unstable atmosphere and soon towering cumulous clouds darkened the sky – the process of convection (basically, the transfer of heat) had begun. It wasn’t long before we heard the first rumble of thunder and could smell the metallic odor of ozone, a byproduct of rapid condensation in rain or storm clouds. Considering the forecast called for severe thunderstorms, now was the moment to pack up our fishing tackle and

seek shelter inside the nearest gas station or Mickey D’s – we didn’t want to be struck by lightning. Not even a record largemouth bass is

worth getting fried over.

I love the phenomena of thunderstorms. Like many of you, I’m fascinated by the crackle of lightning bolts and house shaking thunderclaps. Also, like too many people, I’ve unwisely continued fishing while a storm approached when I should have been long gone to safety.

Lightning strikes kill an average of 80-100 people every year in the U.S., more than hurricanes and tornados combined. A little more than half of victims were engaged in outdoor recreation like fishing or boating. Ten times as many are struck but survive – many with severe, life-long injuries or disabilities. With the height of lightning season upon us, it’s time

for fishermen to consider lightning safety.

According to the National Weather Service, lightning can strike as many as ten miles away from its source cloud. This is why it is recommended to stop fishing and move indoors as soon any thunder is heard. And because the debris clouds trailing behind a thunderstorm can produce

their own lightning, fishermen should wait 30 minutes after the storm has passed to begin fishing to be completely safe. While inside during a storm stay away from doors and windows, plumbing, wiring, appliances and telephones.

A somewhat less conservative response to seeing lightning involves the “30/30 rule.” Upon spotting lightning, if you can count to 30 before

hearing thunder, the odds are you’re out of range of the lightning. A count of five before hearing thunder equals roughly one mile of distance from a lightning strike, a count of ten equals two miles, etc. However, thunderstorms can move as fast as 50mph so the next bolt of lightning could be right on top of you.

William Becker, of the University of Florida, notes that lightning is very unpredictable and bolts contain as much as 100 million volts – a

minimum of 500,000 times the electricity needed to power a sparkplug! Lightning follows Ben Franklin’s “path of least resistance” rule, and

guess what? The path can easily be through a fisherman’s body, which happens to conduct electricity quite well. So, if it’s impossible to seek indoor shelter and you are trapped outside during a thunderstorm, reducing your exposure is critical.

First thing to do – lay down your fishing rods, they could act like an antennae and draw a lightning strike right to you.

If on land, seek like-sized shrubs or a group of small trees, get low and avoid touching the plants. On open terrain like fishing beaches or desert potholes with no form of cover, find a low spot and crouch on your heels. Never move towards solitary trees and avoid isolated structures like gazebos or picnic table covers (especially if they are constructed of metal), lightning can travel as much a 60 feet sideways after striking an object. An automobile – but not convertibles or cars with a fiberglass roof – offer some shelter but put your hands in your lap and avoid contact with the steering wheel, radio, ignition, etc.

Boaters are at great risk because they are often the highest object on the water’s surface. Even distant thunder or lightning flashes should trigger an immediate move toward shelter on land. As a last resort, lower all fishing rods and radio antennas, then crouch down without contacting any metal railings, wiring, or the motor; don’t get in the water or dangle your legs or hands in the water. If there is time, disconnect the VHF radio and GPS, this way they may survive a lightning strike. Lightning protection systems are available for some fishing boats but getting off the water is safer.

Lightning strikes the United States around 25 million times per year. Most Florida fishermen won’t be ’shocked’ to hear their state annually

has more strikes than any other. However, NOAA notes that lightning occurs in all fifty states. Lightning can occur at any time, but late afternoon hours are the most dangerous periods for lightning strikes, and folks spending time outside in open areas like fields or beaches are the most common victims. So make yourself aware of the weather forecast before heading out to fish and if the predictions include thunderstorms plan on returning home before the storms are due to bubble up.

Fishing for bass, walleye, trout, catfish, bream, or whichever species you favor, can be a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors if you keep in mind lightning safety whenever you grab your fishing rods for a day on the water.

About the Author:

Paul and Ken have a combined 60 plus years of fishing experience at many of the top spots around the US and the world. Goto Fishing Lightning Tips for more of our tips on how to catch more fish and have fun doing it.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Lightning Safety Tips for Fishermen

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Super moist air swept by strong southwest winds had prepared all afternoon under an intense June sun along the shore of New England, which were fishing for bass and trout. The warm, moist air rose sharply in an unstable environment and huge clusters soon darkened the sky – the process of convection (basically the heat transfer), had begun. It was not long before he heard the thunder and I could smell the metallic smell of ozone, a byproduct of rapid condensation in rain or storm clouds. Given the forecast called for severe storms, now it was time to pack our gear fishing and
seek shelter inside the nearest gas station or Mickey D's – you would not be struck by lightning. Not even a largemouth record low is
Fried worth getting up.

I love the phenomenon of thunderstorms. As many of you, I am fascinated by the crackle of lightning and thunder shook the house. Fishing also, like many people, I have continued to recklessly while a storm was coming when I should have gone long ago to safety.

The lightning kills an average of 80-100 people each year in the U.S., more than hurricanes and tornadoes combined. A little over half of the victims were engaged to outdoor recreation such as fishing or navigation. Ten times as many are beaten, but survived – many with serious injuries or life long disability. With the height of the lightning season upon us, it's time
for fishermen to consider lightning safety.

According to the National Weather Service, lightning can affect up to ten kilometers away from its cloud of origin. This is the reason why is recommended to stop fishing and move inside as soon everything is hear the thunder. And because of the debris from behind the clouds of a thunderstorm can produce
of its own rays, fishermen must wait 30 minutes after the storm has passed to begin fishing to be completely secure. While inside during a storm to stay away from doors and windows, piping, wiring, appliances and telephones.

A little less conservative response to seeing a ray implies the "30/30 rule". By detecting the rays, if one can count to 30 before
hearing thunder, odds are that is out of range of the beam. A count of five before hearing the thunder is equal to approximately one mile from lightning, a count of ten is equal to two miles, etc. However, thunderstorms can move as fast as 50 mph and lightning bolt next one could be just above you.

William Becker of the University of Florida, indicates that lightning is very unpredictable and bolts to hold as many as 100 million volts – a
minimum of 500,000 times electricity needed to power a spark plug! Lightning is "Ben Franklin's path of least resistance" rule, and
guess what? The road may be easily through the body of a fisherman who happens to conduct electricity very well. So if you can not seek shelter under a roof and you are caught outside during a thunderstorm, reduction of exposure is critical.

The first thing to do – Lay Down Your fishing rods, which could act as an antenna and draw a lightning right to you.

If on land, search, about the size of shrubs or a group of small trees, go down and avoid touching the plants. In open terrain, such as fishing beaches or the bumps in the desert with no way to cover, find a place in and leans on his heels. Never move into the trees alone and avoid isolated structures, such as carp covered picnic table (especially if they are made of metal), lightning can travel up to 60 feet sideways after striking an object. A car – but cars are not convertible or fiberglass roof – they offer a refuge, but put your hands in your lap and avoid contact with the steering wheel, radio, ignition, etc.

The sailors are at great risk because they often are subjected to the highest in surface water. Even distant thunder or lightning should lead to a movement immediately to the home on earth. As a last resort, under all fishing rods and radio antennas, then squatting, without any contact with metal railings, wiring, or the engine, do not get in the water or hanging the legs or hands in water. If time permits, turn off the radio and GPS, so they can survive a lightning strike. Lightning protection systems available for some fishing boats, but lowering the water is safer.

Lightning strikes in the United States about 25 million times a year. Most Fishermen of Florida will not be "surprised" to hear his state each year
has more strikes than any other. However, the NOAA said that Lightning occurs in all fifty states. Lightning can strike at any time, but evening hours are the most dangerous periods for the rays, and people spend time outdoors in open areas like fields or beaches are the most common victims. So you know the weather forecast before going fishing and if the predictions thunderstorms are in the plan to return home before the storms are due to gush.

Fishing for bass, pike, trout, catfish, bream, or for the species, can be a fun way to enjoy the outdoors when taking into account the safety of lightning whenever grab your fishing poles for a day on the water.

About the Author:

Paul and Ken have a combined 60 plus years of fishing experience at many of the top spots around the US and the world. Goto Fishing Lightning Tips for more of our tips on how to catch more fish and have fun doing it.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Lightning Safety Tips for Fishermen