Fishing And Power Lines?

[iceintheveins]

Had a scare the other day fishing when I threw my bait up over a 40,000 volt power line by accident, and I was spooled with power pro. Needless to say I cut my line immediately. Was afraid braid might conduct better than mono.

The lines are about 35 feet over the lake and have tons of old lures hanging on them.

Anyway has anyone ever heard of electricity traveling down fishing line and killing or badly shocking someone who accidently threw it over power lines? I have hung up with mono before, but I do know that on certain occasions people have gotten electrocuted when their kites go into powerlines, because at high voltages normally non conducting materials can sometimes conduct, especially when wet. I guess if it would have conducted I wouldn't be here now.

[Nitrofreak]

How in the world do you cast 35 feet in the air and not scare the fish with the landing of your bait  ;D

I have heard of people getting injured by power lines but I dont think it was because of their fishing lines.

[iceintheveins]

I was making a long cast clear across a cove.

[K_Mac]

I did throw a spinnerbait over a much lower voltage power line once on a small private lake. It wrapped up and I had to cut it loose. I fish a power plant lake that has high voltage lines close enough to the water to reach if you really wanted to. I don't know if fishing line of any kind can be a conductor, but that is a very bad place to find out. My recommendation is not to do that again. ;D

[iceintheveins]

I don't think I have ever heard of line being a conductor, especially with dozens of lures hanging from the line. The scary thing is I have heard of kite string conducting on certain occasions and I know with high voltage (over 4000 volts) it doesn't have to be metal or something that we think of as a conductor.

[islandbass]

I don't think I have ever heard of line being a conductor, especially with dozens of lures hanging from the line. The scary thing is I have heard of kite string conducting on certain occasions and I know with high voltage (over 4000 volts) it doesn't have to be metal or something that we think of as a conductor.

You are right. Under certain conditions almost any material, even insulators can conduct electricity and monofilament would be exempt.

Thank goodness nothing happened. 8-)

[Missouribassman95]

I was fishing on a private lake with power line everywhere and I got my t-rigged worm caught up there. I was more mad about losing my lure then being afraid to be shocked.

[Wayne P.]

If you are using the line long enough for it to absord water, yes it will shock you. The many fibers in a braided line leaves some space for water to be absorbed, yep water will conduct electricity.

[iceintheveins]

If you are using the line long enough for it to absord water, yes it will shock you. The many fibers in a braided line leaves some space for water to be absorbed, yep water will conduct electricity.

I mean we are talking a major power line so you mean likely death rather than just a shock don't you?