Fishing in Thunderstorms? 2025

Mobydick reply :

My buddy and I went fishing the other day and got caught in a thunderstorm. We checked the weather and it said scattered showers :-/. We only fished for about 20 minutes before it started lighning and raining. We were catching fish until the thunder started. Does thunder scare the fish, because I know if you stomp on the boat the fish take off like crazy? I would also like to know what the thunder causes the fish to do, move deeper, shallower, etc. Oh, and we did make it through 5 hours of pouring down rain, lightening and thunder and got out safely. Thanks in advance.

bass109 reply :

I fished in thunderstorms also, i dont really care about the weather, i will still go fishing. Its good to keep safe.

the captain reply :

Even though we got wet (I needed a shower anyway ;D) we still had fun but didn't catch any more dang fish after it started thundering. We had a few hits even after it started raining hard but no fish to show for it. I had 2 on and lost them both, just small smallies--barely big enough to hold onto the spinner hook.

guest reply :

I have had some outstanding fishng in thunderstorms. A couple of times it was so good that I insanely stayed out on the water with lightning cracking all around me.

Fortunately I lived through those episodes. I have given up doing that for a long time.

Lightining kills anglers every year. If you can see it, it can reach you.

Seek shelter.

Aint no bass in the world worth getting fried over.

Jeff C. reply :

I do not know just what happens..

but the barametric pressures changes when A storm

moves in,, and if the pressure drops ( I think ) the bite improves..

maybe some one else can elaberate on this pressure deal..

Jeff

guest reply :

Iv'e had great luck this summer fishing in the pouring rain. If you fish from shore, you can sneak up on fish alot better when it's raining. I stay out there no matter how hard it rains, as long as it does not lightning.

Fish Man reply :

ok.first off fishing in a thunderstorm??!!!!...ive heard of fishin during the rain but i thinkt his is an incredibly bad idea. water + graphite + electricity = BAD,but when it rians or storms the pressure drops, insects become more active because the lower pressure makes flying easier (ever see the skitters or flys get bad before rain?) then one or both of two things happen (1) the bass move up to feed on the active insects at the surface (2)the bass begin to feed on baitfish feeding on the insects

cajun1977. reply :

Quote
I have had some outstanding fishng in thunderstorms. A couple of times it was so good that I insanely stayed out on the water with lightning cracking all around me.
Fortunately I lived through those episodes. I have given up doing that for a long time.

Lightining kills anglers every year. If you can see it, it can reach you.

Seek shelter.

Aint no bass in the world worth getting fried over.

good point avid, guys if you see lightning get off the water asap dont try to be a tough guy, cause youll just look like an idiot be safe and use your heads

Rebbasser reply :

Agreed-if you see lightning or hear thunder get off the water. Period. Live to fish another day.

basser89 reply :

I've never minded fishing in the rain and have had mixed results. I've only been caught out on the boat in one thunder storm (with Dad and Uncle Bob). We got to shore as quickly as we could until the storm blew through. Standing on a wet aluminum boat holding a graphite rod, you're just asking for trouble! O will not fish during a thunder storm. As others have said, no point in getting fried. No fish is worth it!!!!! Live to fish another day!

RoLo reply :

Whenever I fish in a thunderstorm I never take any chances.

I will NOT pick up any rod over 7½ ft without first donning my rubber gloves.

Go ahead call me a chicken, I'm just not a risk-taker

Roger

George Welcome reply :

I play kickball on the freeway, but only if the cars are going at 80 MPH or less. Of course it is as dumb as fishing during a T-storm.

T-rig reply :

Quote
I play kickball on the freeway, but only if the cars are going at 80 MPH or less. Of course it is as dumb as fishing during a T-storm.

I agree! Fishing in thunderstorm= Trouble

jdw174 reply :

Thunder/lightning may not scare the fish, but it sure scares the Bejesus out of ME . You're standing in a boat with a graphite lightning rod in your hand through a t-storm!!! Not cool........

Catt reply :

Fishing during rain is fine because the bass don't mind getting wet; now a lighting storm is the quickest way to find out how fast a boat ya got!

Valascus reply :

I will fish when a storm is approaching, but I clear out as soon as I can hear the thunder or catch a glimpse of lightening in the distance. Like Avid said...ain't no fish worth getting fried over.

As far as why the fishing gets better before a storm, I have heard a few reasons related to a fishes biology that make sense. Never heard of the bug thing before, doesn't mean it ain't true though. I have heard that when a storm is on the way, it causes a drop in barometric pressure. This drop takes pressure off of the basses swim bladder, making it more mobile and aggressive. The bass takes this opportunity to actively hunt whatever forage it has access to in the area...be it baitfish, crawdads, bugs, or your bait!

Panamoka_Bassin reply :

Funny this thread came up, I was doing just that last night! I stood on the bank with a hula popper as the storm rolled in and caught a couple nice fish. I went in when the storm got close, waited, and went out after the storm. I used the same hula popper and only caught one little fish for 20 mins. I tied on a purple senko and caught a few more, but they were down on the bottom. The only conclusion I can make is that the fish are perhaps more surface active, but not necessarily more active overall. Keep in mind that this was around 9pm just as the sun had gone down...

guest reply :

Quote
I do not know just what happens..
but the barametric pressures changes when A storm

moves in,, and if the pressure drops ( I think ) the bite improves..

maybe some one else can elaberate on this pressure deal..

Jeff

Hurrrrrr umph.

As a student of weather phenomena, allow me to pontificate.

Storms are associated with low pressure. the lower the pressure the more sever the storm. As an example Katrina had one of the lowest pressures ever recorded.

Most bass fisherman agree that a falling barometer is good for bass fishing. Apparantly the bass get stimulated to feed before the storm hits, kinda like Squirrels (that's the little furry ones Deb) gathering food before winter.

Fishing approaching storm fronts, is fun and productive. Unless your timing is off

Valascus reply :

Quote

Quote
I do not know just what happens..
but the barametric pressures changes when A storm

moves in,, and if the pressure drops ( I think ) the bite improves..

maybe some one else can elaberate on this pressure deal..

Jeff

Hurrrrrr umph.

As a student of weather phenomena, allow me to pontificate.

Storms are associated with low pressure. the lower the pressure the more sever the storm. As an example Katrina had one of the lowest pressures ever recorded.

Most bass fisherman agree that a falling barometer is good for bass fishing. Apparantly the bass get stimulated to feed before the storm hits, kinda like Squirrels (that's the little furry ones Deb) gathering food before winter.

Fishing approaching storm fronts, is fun and productive. Unless your timing is off

"AVID....HAS SPOKEN! " ;D

Tucson reply :

As I understand it, it's completely safe to be out during a lightning storm as long as you stay "grounded". ie: extend your aluminum boat hook to its maximum length, secure one end in a seat pedestal socket and make sure you have a good grip on the bare aluminum. Now when lightning strikes it'll pass right through the pole, past the hull and dissipate harmlessly in the water. Or not.

If you believe the above, you need more help than anyone on this forum can provide.

Being on the water during an electrical storm is nature's way of saying you will not live long enough to procreate. And nature can be very strict.

guest reply :

I think this is a wonderful idea Moby, you may be on to something here. You should open a specialty guide service just for fishing thunderstorms!!! May I sugesset the longest rods you can use, and your clinets shouold stand in metal buckst filled with water. Your first customer should be OSAMA BEN LADEN

Gorgebassman reply :

I would just like to add that I was fishing on a lake one time and a large thunderstorm appeared. I was young and stupid back than so I stayed on the water. But if anyone has ever seen lightning striking water as I did the first hint of a storm YOU would be off the water as I do now.

RoLo reply :

Quote
I have heard that when a storm is on the way, it causes a drop in barometric pressure. This drop takes pressure off of the basses swim bladder, making it more mobile and aggressive.

When it comes to weather, authorities rarely agree on anything, but In-Fisherman and Doug Hannon both agree on this:

The best fishing does not occur during a rising or falling barometer, but occurs during a "steady barometer".

In addition to the barometer, which is probably a symptom rather than a cause, "subdued light" causes predators to feed.

The theory as to why, hinges on the predators rod-and-cone vision which adjusts more quickly to light changes than bait fish.

Several natural conditions cause improved fishing (subdued light): Dawn, Dusk, Overcast Skies, Broken Water Surface (wind - rain)

Most storms are accompanied by cloud cover, wind and raindrops pelting the water;

all of these positive events don't leave bass much time to check barometric pressure

Roger

guest reply :

I'm sticking with the squirrel theory.

Gotta Love It reply :

I live in the lightning capitol of the world! Messing around with lightning isn't fun! No matter how good the fishing is... I would rather live to see tomorrow!

Bankbeater reply :

And stay away from trees on small islands out in the middle of a lake!!!

the captain reply :

I sure hope there ain't nobody that stupid around 'cause thems the guys that die and give anglers all over the place a really bad name. Now I ain't the smarest either but I knew enough to stay on the bank as much as possible( We had no boat and had to keep moving)It was fun-if you can't already tell I am mobydicks buddy that went fishin' with him. I would have never got into a boat in that kind of weather though. Call me crazy but it was fun and it was probably the craziest thing I had ever done up to that point or at least in a good while .

GrandSlamBasser87 reply :

I have had some good success right before a storm hits and after its gets to raining. However, i too don't catch much after the thunder and lightning cranks up? I think that's probably due to the fact that I have high tailed it to cover!!! I'm not one to stay out there with a rod in the air playing "does god love me?"!!! ;D

senile1 reply :

Th-th-there is n-n-n-no prob-prob . . . .lem with fish . . . inngggggggggggggg in lightning. I i I i I huv . . . er, have been struck uck uck 4 times and bluddle-de-bump, have experienced, shazaam, no ill effects.

RoLo reply :

Quote
Th-th-there is n-n-n-no prob-prob . . . .lem with fish . . . inngggggggggggggg in lightning. I i I i I huv . . . er, have been struck uck uck 4 times and bluddle-de-bump, have experienced, shazaam, no ill effects.

There you have it folks, yet another advocate of buzzbaiting during a light show.

That's what I'M talking about!

Roger

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