I fish from a tinny and check the weather underground "marine forecast" before i go to bed and before i leave in the morning. I stay home if the waves are forecasted for anything bigger than 3 ft or stay in the bay and fish for bass. I usually stay in the 200-300 fow range max. Occasionally i will venture farther out if it's really calm. I always keep an eye on the sky and get ready to book if the sky darkens or if i see lightning/hear lightning. I don't care if it's a faint boom from miles away...i'm gone! Make sure your bilge works, you have life jackets and you have a VHF radio.