Thunderstorms

[LazyDays]

With the forecast showing chance of storms over the next several days, it brings up the question: what do you do if you’re out on the lake & get caught in a thunderstorm? I know conventional wisdom says check the radar before leaving the dock but let’s be real, Mother Nature can be very unpredictable. I’ve been fishing the lake regularly since 2018 and am lucky I’ve never been caught in one…but I know it’s bound to happen at some point. I’ve been in a pack of boats fishing before & high tailed it to Canadian water to avoid a line of strong storms but it didn’t seem like most of the other boats cared. Is it not that big of a deal to get caught in a storm? I’d be mostly worried about lightening…

[itsbob]

Best advice is to run for your ramp or dock as has been the custom for decades on Erie.Now you can watch radar on your phone and might avoid the lightning by running a direction that the storms might miss you.Another is fish closer to home port so can run in faster.

[Budman118]

Back in 2017 or 2018 a ferocious thunderstorm came across the lake on the PA side. 11 foot waves and 50 mph winds. Over 20 boats were lost. No one had a chance. I believe a couple fatalities. Coast Guard was called over 30 times. I was caught in one years back in a 24 foot Thompson. We were only 3 miles from Northeast Marina when we saw it coming on the horizon. Packed up and took off full speed. It hit us about a half mile from shore! I thought we were done for. My buddy did a hell of a job! I couldn’t believe how fast it came across the lake. Needless to say, I don’t go with thunderstorm chances anymore! Once was enough for me!

[itsbob]

Depending on the size of your boat,the wind in storms can swamp a boat too. If you see a long line of storms approaching with a bow shape to it,that can have extremely high winds on leading edge.The lake itself can affect the weather too. Especially in spring and fall when there is a greater difference between the air and water temps.Several years ago,we had just gotten in from fishing and I looked at my radar on phone and a storm was coming across the lake from the NW.Told my buddy who was closing up the boat to do it quickly and my dad and I went to bays edge to get our fish cleaned.The cell didn't look special but it was extremely hot on the land.When that cell hit shore it exploded into a monster.Had all kinds of hail damage and my dad and I listened to tornado sirens at the fish cleaners.I walked outside and saw the rotation in the clouds above followed by an intense hail storm.The opposite in the late fall when the warmer water can increase storm intensity.

[LazyDays]

Itsbob, thanks for the feedback. So it sounds like if it’s at all possible, do your best to avoid being caught in the storm—being on the lake in the middle of a storm is not safe. That’s what I wanted to confirm. My boat is 25ft & has a cuddy cabin which made me wonder if we could seek shelter down there in the event we got caught up in a storm or if it’s safer to motor at a low speed to maintain control.

[LazyDays]

I appreciate all the life saving advice. I was only curious bc I’ve been out there before when bad weather is rolling in & it seemed as if some of the boats continued on fishing business as usual—didn’t know if they knew something I didn’t.

[Ole fisherman]

Been on lake Erie since the 60's, only time I have been caught on the lake in a storm is when I was dumb enough to refuse to heed the forecast and warnings ! Anyone getting caught on the lake didn't do their job of checking the weather closely. Why take a chance, there is always another day !!

[eriepro]

STORMS..
monitor your marine weather channel it will put out alerts. on days forecasting storms fish to the west of your launch site you usually will beat developing storms in. if your near the islands you can always tuck in on the lee side. NEVER hide in a cabin or drift sideways motor slow put life jackets on and lower your antenna.
.

[LazyDays]

This is all excellent advice. Thank you!

[LazyDays]

If it were me and there was no chance to tuck on the leeward side of any islands:
1). Life jackets
2). notify someone on land of exact location with picture of GPS
3). antenna down
4). Say a prayer
5). Motor slowly into waves at 45 degree angle