January 28, 2022
In Victoria, we are blessed with beautiful coastlines that make it easy to fish from rock ledges, submerged rocks and rock faces. Whilst rock fishing can guarantee some great fishing there are serious dangers associated with it. Recfishers should take precautions to ensure that rock fishing is enjoyed safely.
For recfishers who enjoy rock fishing, follow these safety guidelines to ensure that you enjoy all the benefits of rock fishing without any of the unnecessary risk.
- Always wear a life jacket and never fish alone. Inform others of your fishing plans so that search and rescue know where to look if things turn bad.
- Wear light clothing; appropriate footwear and carry safety gear, a rope and a float are a couple of the essentials.
- Never fish in exposed areas during rough or large seas.
- Observe first, fish later. This will ensure that you are aware of the conditions you will be fishing in and can properly prepare.
- Plan an escape route in case you are washed in.
- Stay alert at all times. Victoria is known for its unpredictability with weather conditions, changing from good to bad in a heartbeat.
- Ask advice from locals who know the area.
Life Saving Victoria along with stakeholders, VRFish and the Victorian Fisheries Authority, worked on these guidelines through the rock safety project to reduce the amount of drownings as a result of rock fishing. Victorians are incredibly lucky to have such extensive and widespread coastlines that offer some of the most rewarding fishing experiences one can have.
VITAL WEATHER SAFETY CHECKS BEFORE ROCK FISHING
Before you go rock fishing, it’s important to check the weather via the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). The BOM is a great resource where you can check the five vital weather safety checks before you head out rock fishing.
The BOM’s five vital weather safety checks are:
- Wave conditions
- Tide times
- Wind conditions
- Marine warnings
- Changing weather
Visit the BOM’s website for information on using MetEye for rock fishing. Rock fishers can use MetEye to find information on forecast waves, winds and weather for an area or specific locations.
