Summer fishing weather warning

I have never fished the Mississippi Delta during the summer months without getting chased off a spot by a pop-up storm.

So-called for their propensity to overtake an area with frightening speed, these typically short-lived meteorological temper tantrums are not to be taken lightly.

They pack a mean punch, with bursts of strong wind and that bright, crackly stuff that chars whatever it touches.

For instance, during a Buras outing with Capt. Ross Montet, Gary Abernathy and I were trading compliments on our recent bull red double-header when our typically laid-back guide suddenly became animated.

“Get ya’ll’s stuff, now!” Montet shouted, as he fired up the big motor.

Instinctively, I grabbed a handrail and secured my camera case, as Abernathy stowed the rods. Within seconds, we were on plane and racing away from a fierce, black beast that growled angrily and clawed after us with sizzling streaks of gilded rage.

OK, that might be a little dramatic, but these pop-ups really are bad news — and distance is your best defense.

Awareness enables action, so keep a few key points in mind:

• Check the day’s weather forecast for the area you plan to fish. Use geography to your advantage by fishing leeward bays during rough periods, and have a bug-out plan in mind in case you need to hightail it to safety.

• Maintain situational awareness by keeping an eye on the horizon. You want to spot the leading edge of a storm before the monster springs forth.

It’s easy to get so distracted by a hot bite that you don’t notice that ominous form rising behind you. Once you feel that rush of cool air, you’re usually out of time. Most navigational units include weather functions, while the Navionics app puts this info right on your Smartphone.

• Maintain an orderly deck. Stow unused rods in holders, put loose tackle in compartments and keep nets, tackle bags and food/drink items in their proper places. Loose items create tripping hazards and impede your ability to quickly pick up and run from the next pop-up storm.

About David A. Brown 323 Articles
A full-time freelance writer specializing in sport fishing, David A. Brown splits his time between journalism and marketing communications www.tightwords.com).