Fishing With Lightning, Not A Good Combo: Let’s Keep You Safe

This 6 second clip of lightning striking in front of Angler, Tucker Owing’s, boat is crazy!

When it hits the water, it sounds like gunfire. Has this ever happened to you?

Sometimes storms will pop up out of nowhere when you are fishing and you don’t have time to get back to the ramp or car. This can be a serious situation.

According to the National Weather Service, most lightning deaths in the United States occur while people are enjoying outdoor activities, with fishing the most deadly.

From 2006 to 2012, 238 people died after being struck by lightning in the country — 82 percent of them male. Of the total number of victims, 152 were taking part in leisure activities, according to new findings from the National Weather Service.

Fishing topped the list with 26 lightning deaths, followed by camping with 15 deaths, boating with 14, soccer with 12 and golf with eight, NWS officials said. Other lightning victims died while at the beach, swimming, walking, running or picnicking.

If you happen to be on the water when there is audible thunder, its time to either get back to the ramp and into your car or move to the closest shore or small creek or ditch and keep your fishing rods down. You don’t want to be holding a lightning rod in your hands. Stay low in the boat and avoid putting your boat near a single tall tree. If you are out on the water, lower any radio antenna you might have and disconnect electronic equipment so they don’t get fried.

Let’s stay safe out there. We don’t want any of you getting hurt!