A summer thunderstorm lasts approximately thirty minutes. During which time you might encounter heavy rain/hail and high winds that can make crossing open water very dangerous. The sound of thunder can be frightening, but of greater concern to boaters is the chance of being hit by lightning. Storms can be avoided if boaters seek the nearest safe harbor and don’t try to venture across open water.

Usually, by the time the first clap of thunder is heard, it’s too late to attempt an open water crossing. A better option is to wait out the storm at a marina, restaurant or even tied to someone’s dock in a protected cove. Particularly since wave heights on Lake Norman can exceed three feet when driven by fifty plus mile per hour winds. Not only can waves be high, but they run very close together which makes navigation difficult. Worse yet, is the likelihood of a rogue wave, one considerably larger than the others that causes the vessel to breach and take on water.

Bad things can happen when a vessel gets caught in the wrath of a storm. The motor could stop, the boat could become grounded or someone could even fall overboard. So it’s always prudent to seek safe harbor, secure the vessel, exit the boat and go inside a nearby building.

According to information from the Johnston County, NC, Emergency Services Website, “Lightning strikes caused 22 deaths in North Carolina while people were boating, fishing or involved in other water related activities between 1959 and 1997.” In another report posted by www.noaa.gov, “Between 2001 and 2010 North Carolina ranked 5th in the nation in lightning fatalities.”

Be leery of afternoon storms and be prepared to take safe actions as a storm approaches.

Tips from Capt. Gus! When thunder roars, go indoors.

Upcoming Events:
Free Fishing Seminar – “How to Use Sonar, Down Side Scan and GPS to Catch Summer Bass, White Perch and Crappie” - Jake Bussolini and I will conduct this ninety minute seminar at 6:30 p.m. on July 16th at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC. For additional information, call 704 658 0822.

Hot Spots of the Week: White perch are hitting fly and jigging spoon combinations in twenty to forty feet of water. Best bets are the edges of channels and in narrow coves with submerged brush. Some boats are reporting catching two and even three hundred per trip. Big flathead catfish are being caught on live perch and bream. Blue cats are hitting fresh cut fish filets and chicken strips. Bass are on the banks early, but move off shore once the sun rises. After sunrise, tempt them with top water lures, swim baits and soft plastics around points and humps in water to thirty feet deep.

The surface water temperature varies by location, but is mainly in the eighties in open waters not affected by power generation. The water level is about 1.3’ below full pond on Lake Norman and 2.6' below full on Mountain Island Lake.