Semi-dumb Question - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

fishinkid2010 · 09-30-2010, 03:06 PM

Well I can not say to much on kayaking in lighting, but I thought I would share my uncle's experience a few months ago here on the Gulf. They had a bolt of lighting hit a few yards off the bow of their boat when they were offshore. He said that it threw him on his ass out of his seat since he was touching the aluminum top of the Bertram. The bolt of lightning also made a large red fire ball about four feet across underwater. Sounds a bit scary!

Personally I would not like to be out in lightning in my kayak with a jig stick vertically in the air, but I would not be too overly concerned. But we get thunder storm offshore here all the time, and it is rare that you hear of anyone getting seriously hurt.... and these boats have some pretty tall outriggers that could act as lightning rods.

JoeBeck · 09-30-2010, 03:41 PM

I don't think it is a dumb question, good reason to research lightning and safety while caught on the water during a lighting storm.

Check out the fishing pole in this picture. This was my 1st thought is if your were out in a lightning storm might not be a good idea to be fishing during it, but I guess that also depends on what your rod is made out of and if you are having a bad day. Probably also not a good idea to be in a storm if you have a cheap aluminum paddle

http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_...ge_photos.html

Here is some more interesting info I just found.
http://nasdonline.org/document/209/d000007/boating-lightning-protection.html

stairman · 09-30-2010, 04:16 PM

I had a similar expirience about twenty year ago at la jolla while fishing a 16 aluminum boat.
We were ishing when a thunder torm moved from south bay directly at us.There were a few strikes around the entrance to mission bay and it was coming our way so we had to sit it out.Not enough fuel to run north.
As the storm approached one of our fishing rods started crackling and buzzing!We all just got a low a possible in the boat when a bolt struck about 1/4 mile away.....and there wasn't any tp available in the boat!

very spooky!But we all lived.

cjthomas · 10-01-2010, 09:56 AM

Regardless of the rods, being just three feet off the water, you're still the highest point around.

dorado50 · 10-01-2010, 10:51 AM

Now I understand the meaning of "stay grounded"...been in many squalls,t-storms,and the edges of hurricanes,tropical depressions. Not a good feeling holding onto a metal steering wheel!. Important for everything metal to be grounded. "Thankyou Lord"....

Ohana · 10-01-2010, 10:58 AM

Considering salt water is a great conductor of electricity, the lightning can strike near you and you might still get electrocuted due to the salt water conduction if any part of you is in the water.

Also be aware you can be under sunny skies and a T-storm miles away can zap you. When I was in Florida we had a storm over our navy base inland (NAS Whiting) that sent a bolt out that hit a young boy at the beach near Pensacola even though he was under sunny skies at the beach.

Kevin

bentrod1 · 10-02-2010, 08:50 PM

My family and I were enjoying a beautiful day in S.D. near Sea World (on the Ocean side near an amusement park) when off in the distance we heard thunder and saw lightning. The lifeguards told everyone to "get out of the water and off of the beach, head for cover". We did!

About 10 minutes later this T-storm came right over us as we took cover in the outdoor bathrooms. Women in mens, men in womens, cats playing with dogs it it was crazy. I later learned that's not even a good place to go. I managed a peak out toward the parking lot and saw lighting strike horizontally just over the top of the cars all the way across the lot. The hair was standing up on the back of my neck. Not sure if it was from electricity or fear but judging by the stains in my shorts, I'm guessing the latter.

So, long story short... I'm guessing they said get out of the water for a reason. With scupper holes and being surrounded by H2o, whether in plastic or not I would GTFO.

dsafety · 10-02-2010, 09:11 PM

So far we have had a lot of reasonable answers to the question. Basically the advice has been that if it looks dangerous, get out of Dodge. I agree with that.

Beyond behaving reasonably, I would really like to know if there is any actual evidence that being on the water in a kayak during a lightning storm puts one in grave danger. I have never heard of anyone being hit by lightning while on a kayak. On the other hand, I prefer not to be the first one to have that experience.

We need more information.

Bob

09-30-2010, 03:06 PM	#1
fishinkid2010 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: La Mesa Posts: 386	Well I can not say to much on kayaking in lighting, but I thought I would share my uncle's experience a few months ago here on the Gulf. They had a bolt of lighting hit a few yards off the bow of their boat when they were offshore. He said that it threw him on his ass out of his seat since he was touching the aluminum top of the Bertram. The bolt of lightning also made a large red fire ball about four feet across underwater. Sounds a bit scary! Personally I would not like to be out in lightning in my kayak with a jig stick vertically in the air, but I would not be too overly concerned. But we get thunder storm offshore here all the time, and it is rare that you hear of anyone getting seriously hurt.... and these boats have some pretty tall outriggers that could act as lightning rods. __________________ Need a custom rod wrapped? PM me! http://s686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/fishinkid2010/Sample%20Rod%20Wrapping/?albumview=slideshow

09-30-2010, 03:41 PM	#2
JoeBeck Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 370	I don't think it is a dumb question, good reason to research lightning and safety while caught on the water during a lighting storm. Check out the fishing pole in this picture. This was my 1st thought is if your were out in a lightning storm might not be a good idea to be fishing during it, but I guess that also depends on what your rod is made out of and if you are having a bad day. Probably also not a good idea to be in a storm if you have a cheap aluminum paddle http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_...ge_photos.html Here is some more interesting info I just found. http://nasdonline.org/document/209/d000007/boating-lightning-protection.html Last edited by JoeBeck; 09-30-2010 at 03:43 PM. Reason: wrong link

09-30-2010, 04:16 PM	#3
stairman Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 84	lightning I had a similar expirience about twenty year ago at la jolla while fishing a 16 aluminum boat. We were ishing when a thunder torm moved from south bay directly at us.There were a few strikes around the entrance to mission bay and it was coming our way so we had to sit it out.Not enough fuel to run north. As the storm approached one of our fishing rods started crackling and buzzing!We all just got a low a possible in the boat when a bolt struck about 1/4 mile away.....and there wasn't any tp available in the boat! very spooky!But we all lived.

10-02-2010, 08:50 PM	#7
bentrod1 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Upland Posts: 60	It must be dangerous My family and I were enjoying a beautiful day in S.D. near Sea World (on the Ocean side near an amusement park) when off in the distance we heard thunder and saw lightning. The lifeguards told everyone to "get out of the water and off of the beach, head for cover". We did! About 10 minutes later this T-storm came right over us as we took cover in the outdoor bathrooms. Women in mens, men in womens, cats playing with dogs it it was crazy. I later learned that's not even a good place to go. I managed a peak out toward the parking lot and saw lighting strike horizontally just over the top of the cars all the way across the lot. The hair was standing up on the back of my neck. Not sure if it was from electricity or fear but judging by the stains in my shorts, I'm guessing the latter. So, long story short... I'm guessing they said get out of the water for a reason. With scupper holes and being surrounded by H2o, whether in plastic or not I would GTFO.

10-01-2010, 09:56 AM	#4
cjthomas Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 108	Regardless of the rods, being just three feet off the water, you're still the highest point around.

10-01-2010, 10:51 AM	#5
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	Now I understand the meaning of "stay grounded"...been in many squalls,t-storms,and the edges of hurricanes,tropical depressions. Not a good feeling holding onto a metal steering wheel!. Important for everything metal to be grounded. "Thankyou Lord"....

10-01-2010, 10:58 AM	#6
Ohana Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Coto de Caza, CA Posts: 155	Considering salt water is a great conductor of electricity, the lightning can strike near you and you might still get electrocuted due to the salt water conduction if any part of you is in the water. Also be aware you can be under sunny skies and a T-storm miles away can zap you. When I was in Florida we had a storm over our navy base inland (NAS Whiting) that sent a bolt out that hit a young boy at the beach near Pensacola even though he was under sunny skies at the beach. Kevin

10-02-2010, 09:11 PM	#8
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	So far we have had a lot of reasonable answers to the question. Basically the advice has been that if it looks dangerous, get out of Dodge. I agree with that. Beyond behaving reasonably, I would really like to know if there is any actual evidence that being on the water in a kayak during a lightning storm puts one in grave danger. I have never heard of anyone being hit by lightning while on a kayak. On the other hand, I prefer not to be the first one to have that experience. We need more information. Bob