thunderstorms in the forecast, do you fish?

[blanked]

i left southern calif where there are never any thunderstorms to southeast texas where we get 50 inches of rain a year and everytime the forecast says thunderstorms.

do you go on with your plans to fish if 80% chance of thundersorms and get off the lake as soon as it starts or do you stay home??  

[Cephkiller]

I go no matter what.  If there is lightning when I leave, I'll wait it out.

[ernel]

I would still go if it were for just afternoon t-storms, but not far from the launch site. (After all you still have all morning to fish.) They move in pretty fast once they build and I would not want to have to make a 15 mile run back to the truck. I work out in t-storms and other inclimate weather just due to my job. I have seen way too many things burnt by lighting to stay and play once the it starts cracking. We live by the saying: "If you can see it, flee it. If you can hear it; fear it." A lighting strike can occur miles in front of the actual thunderhead itself. So just because it is "along way away", dosen't mean you are safe.

[flechero]

Personally, I'm terrified of lightening and have had several VERY NEAR misses on the lake.  This is one of those things you will need to develop a comfort with.  First off, use weather underground, it is infinitely more accurate than any of our weather people in texas.  If they are calling for severe weather, I usually will cancel, unless they are pretty confident about late in the day or just early morning...  then I will plan around the times.  The bottom line is to use good judgement... and having lived in East Tx do not consider the other boats/fishermen a good guide on when to leave!!  Central and East Texas are notorius for having storms whip up with no warning so you might just stay within a few minutes of the ramp and make sure you are proficient at the ramp.  

And when your graphite rods starts to hum and buzz... drop it quick and hit the deck!!  (no kidding)

Be patient, spring time in Texas usually means good weather on weekdays and a cold front with storms normally hits on fridays, followed by a cold windy Sat./Sun.  Then the cycle repeats.  It seems that way every year but you get one or two decent weather weekends to land a hawg or two and it will all be worth it.  

Welcome to Texas!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

If t-storms are predicted,you'll have a tough time keeping me off the lake.  Lightning is play as you go ordeal, but I'll be there either way whether in the car waitin or in the boat grinnin'.

[dodgeguy]

right before a storm is the absolute best fishing.just use your head and pay attention.when youhear the slightest rumble at all no matter how distant you pack it in!!!i have also been out on the lake on a hot clear night when the stars were out and have had heat lightning occur!!!out of nowhere it comes down.there were no weather warnings or anything.

[earthworm77]

I go no matter what. I've had more than a few very good days during or right after a T-storm

[Cajun1977]

guess it would depend how far im traveling

[Pa Angler]

I believe on one of the E50's last year the angler's had to wait out a thunderstorm on the launch ramp. Basscenter was following Ike during the wait time. The anglers competed and caught fish after the storm passed by. Lighting is something to avoid especially when your on an aluminum boat like I am. I have fished before and after a thunderstorm didn't have a major results difference between the two time frames.

Chow

The Pa Angler

[Rebbasser]

If storms are not in the area, just forecast I may or may not go depending on the conditions, but at that first flash or rumble of thunder I get out of there, pronto.

[Guest avid]

Here in SouthEast Florida, if you don't fish because a thunderstorm is predicted then you'll never fish.  From Spring through till the end of autumn there are storms in the forecast all the time.  What happens is you develop your own early warning system.  Where I am on the treasure coast the storms generally roll in off of Lake Okachobee, but they can blow up on the coast too.  You can often see them coming.  But then there are those times.............. ......................... Nothing like waving a graphite rod around when the lightning starts flashing.

[Rattletrap]

I can do rain. I don't do lightening. That's too dangerous. Being in a boat is worse than standing under a tree during lightening. I'll wait it out at the dock. Some of my best fishing days was in the rain. Plus, I have an aluminum Bass Tracker.

[basspro48]

I've fished through severe thunderstorms, tornado warnings, and even tropical storms. But if there is lots of close lightning you better get off the water FAST!!! I've had waaaay to many close calls.

[Guest avid]

I don't remember where I read the statistic, but on average two fisherman per year in Florida are struck by lightning.  Not all of them die, but I wouldn't want to experience the thrill of being hit by few thousand volts.

[Master_Hunter_1977]

This is no lie one of the best days I ever had on the water was the time leading right up to the time I had to get off of the water do to the lighting was to close.( but only for a breif time and we went right back out.)  

It was during the summer and you could see the thunder heads rolling in.  The top water bite was unreal.  I can't tell you how many SM that I caught that where over 3 Lb.    I have had other days that were good right before a TS but this one time for some reason was unbelievable.  

Good luck fishing.

[Kana]

If any way possible im out there every chance i get.  like most of the others here, i dissapear when the lightning gets going!  but when it passes, and it always does, im back at it.  i used to not fish in the rain because of bad rain wear, but i got wise and coughed up the money for quality gore-tex and dont regret it at all! i like the rain, as there arent many others out on the water where i fish most often, and in case of really bad weather, there is a large bridge all the anglers camp out underneath until the worst is over.  a perfect time to get in some lunch.

[0119]

I'm stupid but I have no fear of lightning.  20+ years of police work in Fl., Ive had to stand out in downpours directing traffic.   Static from closeby Lightning hasliterally made my hairs tingle and stand up.   Ive caught my biggest bass just moments before a bad band of thunderstorms hit.   Snook especially hit visiously just before and during heavy rains.

[Hula_King]

The biggest bass I've ever caught and my first master angler came right after a tornado and severe thunderstorm went through.  We went out to a farm pond outside of town, and I don't think I've ever had as much fun out on a lake fishing.  Lightning however, that's a different story.  As soon as I see it (or hear the thunder) I'm out of there.  The rule of thumb I was taught was that if you are close enough to hear the thunder, then are close enough to get struck by the lightning.

[George Welcome]

One the questions I hear frequently is this very one about lightening. Better to leave the lake to return for another period of fishing than to leave the lake in a body bag. However, that being said those that fish on with a storm impending, will never change until the lightening hits closer to home.

[Rattlinrogue]

If a storm is rolling in ,I'll make it a priority to go bassin' so I can catch all those barometer dropping bass.If lightning starts popping on the lake,I'll take cover.

[Phishn_Phool]

Up north it was always a prime time to catch fish 4 me, but I have been on the lake all day today in the rain and never did get that furry little skunk out of my boat.  Florida has sure been a humbling experience for me.  I will never stop work at it, but once in awhile I would like to do some catching  LOL

[ball_coach_1]

Along the same as most posts.

Fish in the rain and distant thunder, and like the results when I do.

Thunder close or a hint of lightning, in the car waiting it out...don't want it to be the LAST fishing trip.

[GobbleDog]

Living in Florida, I've fished in some nasty lightning. I always say I feel like Ben Franklin flying a kite when I cast my line with a metal hook attacked to the end, while the sky is lighting up all around me.

I've seen deafening lighting strikes hit the ground less than a quarter mile away.  You instictivly drop down when it cracks that loud and close as if that's somehow going to save you.  It scares you to the bone.

I feel brave afterwards, but in reality it's more of a combo of being stupid and flat out lucky.  :-/

[Yankee_Bassman]

I'll go if they're in the forecast, but one rumble or flash, and I'm GONE......years ago, my softball team was playing a game, which I couldn't make....I caught up with the guys later, and learned the game was called due to lightning...lightning striking the opposing pitcher, that is....they said the sky was dark all around, but sun was still out. No thunder heard, just CRAAAAACK/FLASH, and the pitcher is on the ground, out cold. The only thing that saved his butt was a firehouse was located directly across the street, and one of the firefighters saw it happen. They all came over, after calling an ambulance. Guy had a burn on his shoulder, and a hole/burn above his ankle on the same side... I'm guessing his hair didn't lay right for awhile, either.....

The golfer Lee Trevino was hit by lighning once...he said that the next time he was caught in a lightning storm, he'd hold up a 1 iron, 'cuz even God can't hit one of them.....