I got stuck under a boat canopie in my float tube for 30 minutes when a storm blew in and I was a 1/2 mile from the put in.I was working the West end of a local lake and having too much fun ( 45 minutes 9 LMB,2BG,1RB). Storm blew in from the West and I didn’t see it until it was on top of me. I didn’t want to risk open water this was one of those storms where the air tasted metallic. You can’t walk out of this lake as the people with the big houses aren’t to happy that the DNR snuck a public access point past them. What would you do?
I live on a privite lake that has a “public” access point for neighborhood members who do not live on the lake. By all means, walk out of the lake. I am certain that the home owners would want you to be safe and many would probably offer you shelter from the storm if there is any lightning.
p.s. I’ve had some great fishing success right before a storm blows in, but you have to remain aware of the weather. My rule of thumb is simple. If I can hear thunder, I get off the water; period!
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=“1” face=“Verdana”>quote:</font><HR>and Florida gets the largest
portion among the top ten lightning strike
states.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
No joke. Lightning capitol of the world. We don’t have an NHL team with that name for nothing. I remember quite a while ago a Polish fellow that was visiting Tampa got struck and killed on Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa. If I even think I hear thunder, I get off the water. Dark clouds are enough to send me packing without the lightning.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=“1” face=“Verdana”>quote:</font><HR>I’ve been sailing on Barnegat Bay for 20 yrs,
and despite all the talk of lightning
strikes on sailboats, I have yet to see a
single incident.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I wouldn’t tempt providence if I were you.
Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
“Flip a fly”
[This message has been edited by dixieangler (edited 20 July 2006).]
Lightning can travel from 10 miles and strike you. Never take it for granted.
By the way, one of my favorite movies shows what can happen. “Gone Fishing”, with Danny Glover and Joe Peschi. Absolutely hilarious, but it could happen.
There’s almost nothin’ wrong with the first lie, it’s the weight of all the others holdin’ it up that gets ya’! - Tim
I was caught 1/2 mile off the beach with my scuba diving buddy in a lightning storm in FL- night dive too. Very exciting experience underwater, but we were very nervous. We kicked out to the spot and just couldn’t get back in by the time the flashes started.
Haven’t spilled a drink since the twitching stopped- just kidding here.
God Blesses!
A wing & a Prayer! ----*<(((><~ ~ ~ ~
Quinn
I have no knowledge of water laws, but isn’t there a general highwater mark rule that applies to all bodies of water?
Florida has the highwater mark rule as water is publicly owned (for navigable waters). This rule does not apply to private property shoreline on a lake even though the lake is public but emergencies do happen so I’m sure there are exceptions. Georgia doesn’t have that rule as water is privately owned in Georgia (some lakes may be public as well as some public sections of streams/creeks and rivers like State or Federal parks). I don’t know about other states but I would guess they are similar to Georgia.
Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
“Flip a fly”
[This message has been edited by dixieangler (edited 21 July 2006).]
I would get the H!!! out of the water anywhere I could private property or not. Let the IDIOTS call the police.I dought very seriously that the cop or anyone else would actually charge you.I know that the press would eat ANY judge alive that actually convicted you under those conditions.Besides whats the fine $50 maybe $100 vs death awwwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhh ge thats a tough one!!! That grafite rod conducts electricity REAL well and water is a GREAT ground.
I WOULD waltz my happy tail right up onto their dirt and park it.
Dennis
I’d be up under one of their decks!
Your footprints in their yard would be lots less destructive than ambulances, fire engines, and rescue squads driven through them when they arrive to haul you out of the lake!!
I would have gotten out of the water, actually knocked on a door and asked if I could sit out the storm on a porch or in the garage. You might very well have been invited into the house for a cup of coffee or a good stiff drink. I’ve seen several situations like this occur and found that most people are more than willing to help someone in distress. Please don’t risk your life like that again. 8T
You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it’s a real short camping season.
Since I do a lot of fishing from a canoe, the same question is in my mind. I can’t paddle back to the landing where my car is before the storm hits. Science tells me I do not want to be the highest thing around with lightening discharging from cloud to ground.
Here’s what I do. I get to the closest shore having first tucked my graphite rods under the gunwales. Ideally this is a cliff where there are plenty of trees and things up higher. I have never had the luxury of a boat canopy or boathouse though that sounds great. There I might stay in the canoe. If it is a treeless sandy beach, I leave the canoe there and get into the woods or under the eaves of a house. Now if this is private property, I will risk the trespass charge vs electrocution. Finally, I am going to give it a while after the storm passes before I go back out. Lightening is omnidirectional.
If I missed anything,lease let me know. That could save my life.
Mike
Bear
[This message has been edited by Bear742 (edited 21 July 2006).]
Keep fishing. One should definitely get out in the middle of the lake and waive that graphite rod like a mad man to scare the lightning away. Graphite does not conduct electricity very well anyway, and the chances that lighting will hit the highest point of a flat surface are very remote. (Well, that’s what some Polish guy headed to Florida told me).
The law of access with lakes, ponds, etc. is very different than flowing water. A lot of it turns on how the property underlying the water is deeded, and state law controlling what is called “littoral rights.”
[This message has been edited by Rawthumb (edited 21 July 2006).]
O K I feel chastised. No more tubing in a storm, or high humidity, or when the dew point is above 30.
My limited experience has taught me that water rights and land ownership vary greatly from place to place. In Wisconsin you are legal as long as you are at or below the high water mark on “navigable” waters. Land doesn’t have to be posted for a party to be trespassing. Written permission must be on person if requested by a Warden. Seasons,creel limits, and slot size limits vary by water and are usually borders are set by road crossings. There is also a County (Menomonee) that is federal/reservation property that has regulations totally different.
Thank’s for the input on the lightning advise I guess that which doesn’t kill makes you stronger/smarter.
