Help Fishing In The Rain

[SRV1990]

Hey guys,

My buddies and I will be on The Rock from this Wed morning till Sunday and the forecast is calling for rain everyday. We'll have our rain gear, so we'll stick it out unless it gets really bad (lightning, etc.). Any advice you care to share about types of areas to focus on in bad weather? Will the same baits working now (grubs, shakey head, split shot) continue to work when it's raining?

Thanks,

Tom

[rps]

With cloud cover this time of year, I keep a spook on one rod all day long.

[ozark trout fisher]

Hey guys,

My buddies and I will be on The Rock from this Wed morning till Sunday and the forecast is calling for rain everyday. We'll have our rain gear, so we'll stick it out unless it gets really bad (lightning, etc.). Any advice you care to share about types of areas to focus on in bad weather? Will the same baits working now (grubs, shakey head, split shot) continue to work when it's raining?

Thanks,

Tom

I'm don't know too much about Table Rock, but I do know in general rainy days are my favorite to fish, I've always had my best luck. I also like to keep a topwater (jitterbugs are my favorite, but whatever) tied on all day, but your regular rigs like the grubs, shakey heads and such should still work as well or better than usual. Also, I don't know why, but I have had good luck fishing Zoom centipedes plastic worms on Texas Rig, drop shot rig, or Carolina, whichever you prefer. I had good luck using that in rainy whether on Lower Bull Shoals, which might mean it would work on TR. This is all provided that its not enough rain to color the water, but I doubt that'll be a problem on the lake the size of TR.

[denjac]

It may just be me but if there is heavy thunder I dont get bit. Always heard thunder drives them under.

[denjac]

This is a good topic to bring up saftey in storms. I am the world worst at waiting until the last moment to seek shelter and have had some bad situations. Need to practice what I preach. Bill last year had lighting hit a dock with clients where they has taken shelter. Heres an interesting article on the subject.

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.

[SRV1990]

Definitely good advice, denjac...!

[Don House]

Hey guys,

My buddies and I will be on The Rock from this Wed morning till Sunday and the forecast is calling for rain everyday. We'll have our rain gear, so we'll stick it out unless it gets really bad (lightning, etc.). Any advice you care to share about types of areas to focus on in bad weather? Will the same baits working now (grubs, shakey head, split shot) continue to work when it's raining?

Thanks,

Tom

Tom, Wind and Rain is your friend!! You really want those clouds for the really good bite and the wind is a pain but it really helps this time of year for me! Lighting well another story, the post really sums it up, I don't mess with it!

As far as fishing in the rain pickup that topwater bait and keep chucking it... they are really on it right now, also rig up on swimming grubs in the wind, spilt shot rigs for no wind and sunny days. Yesterday It took 7 hours to really find them, but when we did we really did! 5 Large small mouths in a 30 foot chunk of bank all on the split shot rig.. Made a slow day move really fast! If the sun comes out then start dragging the split shot..

Good Luck and Good Fishing

Don

[SRV1990]

Excellent info Don... as always, thanks much for your input!!!

Tom