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While sitting in our local bass club's booth during our annual
boat show in the Kokomo Mall, I had a number of questions asked
of me. This is always a lot of fun getting to meet people and
mixing with the other club members. This gentleman asked me,
"Do you still go fishing in inclement weather?" Well,
let's discuss the term Inclement Weather." I do not claim
to be a Meteoroligist..I am not sure I can even spell it.
Normally, When my alarm clock goes off at sometime around 1:30
AM on tournament morning, I have already been awake for sometime
mentally preparing for the strategy of the day. After getting
dressed and starting the coffee, I will turn on the television
and listen to the Weather Channel. I like to have an idea of
what the weather forecast is going to be. As my partner and I
are driving to the boat ramp, we listen to the Weather Band on
my CB radio. If threatening weather is forecast, we have made
up our minds on what we will do.
I have at many tournaments put the boat on the trailer to
wait out a storm. I have always maintained that NO tournament
or fish is worth the risk of human life. I have managed to compete
in tournaments on rainy days. Light or moderate rain may be somewhat
uncomfortable but you can still catch alot of fish. I have frequently
used my bilge pumps to pump water out of the boat.
Windy days are also difficult but you can still fish effectively
if you use some "common sense." You must be aware of
boat handling problems and I strongly suggest wearing your life
jacket at all times while fishing in the wind. You could possibly
get blown into a stump and fall out of your boat, sop be prepared.
Thunder and lightning, in my opinion, is a definate "NO-NO"
for fishing. Lightning will often strike the tallest vertical
object. If the lightning is crackling and popping, you could
be on the water standing in your boat...You are the tallest vertical
object. It is not worth taking a chance. Case in point... Just
this past week, I was fishing in a bass tournament in Northern
Indiana. There was some threatening weather in the area and my
partner and I had previously agreed if the weather got real bad,
we would load the boat on the trailer and wait until the weather
improved, then launch the boat and resume fishing. The tournament
started as normal and the lake surface was pretty calm. I had
caught 2 "keepers" and maybe 5 "shorts" within
the first 30 minutes. I was really anticipating a good day of
fishing. The air temperature started getting very cool and the
wind began to pick up. My partner and I went around the point
and "tucked back" into a small cove to fish calmer
water and be out of the wind. It began to rain and we were certainly
glad we put our rain gear on before the rain hit. The water started
"white capping" and the trolling motor was struggling
to navigate the boat. We quickly decided to head for the ramp.
I ran for the truck and backed the trailer down the ramp and
we loaded the boat and I also assisted some of the other people
loading their boats. It was very hectic and I admit, I was very
concerned with the high wins and driving rain.
About 30 minutes later, the weather improved and with no thunder
and lightning, we decided to launch the boat and give fishing
another attempt but we were still going to watch for weather
changes. We had fished about 15 minutes and I hooked another
bass that was just over 3 pounds. I estimated that I had approximately
9 pounds total with the three "keepers" I had in the
live well. I began catching fish that were just under the 14"
size limit but I was certain the pattern I was using would eventually
get me to more 14" bass for a 5 bass limit. As luck would
have it, the weather quickly deteriated and it began raining
pretty steady and the wind picked up again. We were doing the
best we could but the thunder and lightning returned and my partner
commented, "You know, you have 3 keeper bass and you have
a good shot at winning this tournament. I don't have any keepers.
There is 3 hours left to fish..what do you want to do?"
Well folks, I love to fish and I also love to win..but most of
all, I love to be alive. We decided to get to the ramp and safety.
I wish I could tell you that the three "Keepers"
I had was enough to win first place. They were not. I weighed
in the three bass for a total of 9 pounds 4 ounces and that was
good enough for 4th. place. I will gladly accept that position
and congratulate the anglers that finished ahead of me and I
also commend those that made safety their first consideration.
We can ALL try again the next tournament.
To sum it up, NO..I will not fish during inclement weather.
I will consider all options. If it is merely raining and I can
fish safely, yes, I will go fishing but each and every angler
needs to put safety #1 in the minds and plans for fishing.
Good Luck and Good Fishing,
Bud Fields Pro-Staff
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