THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994 TAG: 9406230163
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 42 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Ford Reid
DATELINE: 940626 LENGTH: Medium
As they chased bait, they would suddenly appear, roiling the water in the unique, organized chaos of bluefish feeding, then disappear just as quickly.
{REST} First they would be here, then there, then nowhere to be seen. But each time they left, they came back, showing first as one or two, then dozens of baitfish splashed in retreat.
Then there was a moment's chance to toss a lure to the edge of their midst and hook one, or perhaps even two or three, before they turned as one and were gone again.
It was such fun that I ignored what was going on in the sky behind me.
When finally a cool breeze at my back caught my attention and I turned to look up, half the sky was black as a coal miner's face.
Then I heard a crack of thunder designed to wake the dead and watched agape as a mighty bolt of lightning raced through the clouds.
Fortunately, I was near my truck, a safe - not to mention dry - place to be during a thunderstorm. Otherwise, I would have spent the next half hour crouched in the dunes, hoping that the storm would soon pass, and getting soaking wet.
It is perilous for an angler to ignore the weather and it is particularly dangerous in summer when monster thunderstorms can appear almost instantly out of nowhere.
Heat differences between land, water and air create masses of enormous energy that often form into storms. You might notice that this time of year the weather forecast often says ``isolated thunderstorms.'' Experience tells the forecasters that that is a good bet in this weather.
The storms might be extremely isolated. Sometimes, especially on the water, you can see it storming like crazy a few miles away and never get a drop of water or a clap of thunder where you stand.
But that does not keep these storms from being every bit as dangerous as larger ones.
Fishermen are not as vulnerable as, say, golfers, who are surrounded by trees that attract lightning.
Still, it pays to err on the side of caution.
The first thing that you must do is get your graphite rod out of your hand. Graphite is an excellent conductor of electricity and will act as a lightning rod in your hand.
A few years ago, a friend's boat was struck by lightning as it sat on its trailer in his driveway. He had just made it home before the storm and he left two rods sticking up in their holders.
When he returned to the boat after the thunderstorm had passed, there was little left of the rods. The heat and energy of the lightning had reduced them to little piles of melted material and ash.
Try to get off of the beach before the storm hits. Failing that, if you are walking seek refuge in another angler's beach buggy.
Above all, don't just stand there daring the lightning to strike. No matter how well the fish are biting, put down the rod and get away from the water.
The odds of getting struck by lightning while fishing on the beach are not especially high. But then, for it to happen one time would be way too many.
by CNB