I have had that exp. twice. One time all 3 of us in the boat had our hair stick straight out and the rods would humm as you pointed them to the sky.
Last year our rods would humm but also the line would not touch the water for about a 100 ft from the boat, it would stay suspended in the air. But I have never been shocked by the rod handle, never seen that.
Both times were with storms all around us.
Thats static electricity, pretty dangerous, Lightening about to strike you.
we just motor up and move to a different spot.