Fishing Tip: Rock fishing survival

The sea may appear calm to a group of anglers when they arrive at the carpark. But within the waves, a killer lurks: a giant ocean swell, spawned by a storm hundreds of kilometres out in the ocean, is generating powerful waves that arrive in irregular ‘sets’ – swamping beaches and rock platforms, and posing a deadly threat to the rockhoppers and small-boat operators.

For many years, marine authorities, fishing and life saving associations, especially those along the east coast of Australia, have watched with growing alarm as dozens of rockhoppers lose their lives often in deceptively calm conditions. The NSW Government is now considering a proposal to make the wearing of life jackets mandatory for all rockhoppers.

Dangerous swells and waves on Australia’s east coast are typically generated by low-pressure weather systems. During intense local storms, such as east coast lows, very rough seas are usually accompanied by gale force winds and driving rain – conditions that are clearly not suitable for fishing.

But there’s a more deceptive situation when a low-pressure weather system far out in the Pacific or the Southern Ocean may be generating local waves of two to four metres or more. These swells can travel for days and many hundreds of kilometres from where they were formed – losing their height but stretching out and keeping their power.

Another source of danger is that these ‘sets’ of powerful waves that can arrive at lengthy intervals – often every 15-20 minutes – giving a false sense of security to anglers, walkers venturing out onto rock platforms and those boat fishers crossing bars and in close to shore.

The Bureau of Meteorology has recently refined its hazardous surf messages to include warnings for swimmers, surfers, rockhoppers and boat captains in New South Wales and Southern Queensland. When dangerous conditions are expected on beaches, bars and rock platforms during the next 48 hours, specific statements will be included in local forecasts until conditions subside.

Rockhoppers are advised always to check the timing of high tides, as rising tides can swamp their fishing spots, together with local wind and wave forecasts. The Bureau offers a simple online checklist, with links to its severe weather warnings, coastal waters forecasts, and tide prediction service. These services have been significantly improved with the addition of the MetEye, a map tool that enables you build a picture of the winds, waves and swell heights in your specific area on any day of the coming week.

As well as avoiding exposed areas and rough seas, there are a number of safety tips to help you minimise the risks of rock fishing. Marine authorities and surf lifesaving associations advise anyone going rock fishing to:

>> Always wear a life jacket/personal flotation device
>> Wear non-slip footwear and lightweight clothing
>> Fish with at least two other people
>> Check the local weather forecast before you go
>> Spend 20-30 minutes watching the wind and wave conditions from a safe distance before deciding if a fishing spot is suitable
>> Seek advice from locals and experienced anglers who know the area
>> Never turn your back on the ocean.
>> If you witness an in-water emergency call Triple Zero

Photo: Brett Rylance Photography