So You're at Your Spot and Lightning Cracks
 

What do you do, graphite rod and all, with it being a good hike back to your truck?

stay and :fishin:

was the hair on your arms standing up yet? Or did you hear your rod make a buzzing sound?

it happened to me tonight
 

I was at my spot, had just cast, got an electrical jolt that went through my hand and down my legs and into my feet. Dropped my lami 1322 and tried to figure out just what the hell had just happened. Yep, I made the long walk back. On the way everything that I touched (rock, hooks, etc) I got an electric shock. Scared the crap out of me.

Yeah, I stay too long, too. Had people around me saying they're getting shocks...luckily for me, never happens.

I heard a couple cracks tonite and headed back down the path in a hurry. Then I slowed, not seeing anymore. I pondered it a bit, and turned around to go back and fish. Im glad I did.....:hidin:

a group of old crusters were fishing a hole one black nite on the outside beach...heavily into big fish...first came a slite rumble, then lighting came down...ever seen old men walk on water? we hit the beach running in our waders,,dropped our rods a headed to the truck..as we jumped in the blinding light hit...total white out...after it was over we struck out to find our gear...the pod of fish were gone.

If lightning cracks instead of rumbles, it's too damn close. If it sounds like an explosion, it's WAY too damn close. Drop the rod, find a low spot between two dunes, and assume the fetal position until the storm passes.

Anything else is like playing Russian roulette with one empty chamber, instead of one loaded one.

Keep fishing

Drop the rod, then pick it back up if it looks ok, wait a few mins, if not go to DD for a coffee. That happened to me last year, scared the jeebus out of me.

leave

I've seen lightening in the distance and known that it was headed out the sea, so I've just kept fishing and it's fine. If had the slightest incling that lighting could be coming my way, I get out of there.. FAST

Get out of there! I was at a famous light house in RI when we saw a storm developing ~10 miles away. Lighting in the distance was suddenly hitting all over the rocky point. The bolts were hitting the ground and we dropped all our gear and ran. Hid in a low lying area against a concrete/stone wall and lightning was striking everywhere. I had my back against the wall, and hair was standing on end - there was a bright flash and ZAP. My heart skipped a beat and felt like someone hit me in the head with a metal spike. Lightning hit the wall and went through the rebar and then through us. My buddy got zapped through his hand that was against the wall. It was one of the scariest moments of my life.

Gotta respect the lightning storms!