Rock Fishing Merimbula - Tips on safety

Rock fishing is a shore based sport that allows the angler a chance to catch many types of species that would be accessible to boat fishing only. Headlands are a great place to fish from as many species of fish pass as they move up and down the coast while migrating, suitable spots to fish is to look for the sections of whitewater/wash as the fish wait in these areas for food that is been washed off the rocks, species such as tailor, salmon, tuna, mackerel and kingfish can be caught off the rocks, good bait to use is whitebait, live fish or pilchards. Other species such as drummer, blackfish and bream can be caught on bread, abalone gut, prawns or cungevoi.

2. Always inform friends and family that you are going fishing, tell them of the fishing location and what time you intend to be back, if you change your mind on the location update your friends or family on the changes

4. Once you are at your fishing location always check the conditions before you start fishing, a good time would be 30 mins to get a full idea on the conditions, size of swell and the wave cycle

5. If you are fishing in a boat or on a hazardous rock location wear a buoyancy vest or a lifejacket with non slip shoes, never take undue risks when fishing, never enter the water to retrieve your lost tackle or your catch

6. If someone happens to fall in don’t jump in after them, find something that floats or if a angel ring or life buoy is at your location throw it to them. Explain to your party that if someone falls in, they must swim away from the rocks and find a safe place to swim ashore and wait for help, always wear or carry safety gear such as something buoyant, ropes and torches are very handy. Clothing should be light such as shorts and a spray jacket as these will let you swim if you are washed in, heavy clothing such as jumpers or jeans may be too heavy to swim in and might be difficult to remove quickly if required

7. Once you have a good understanding of the location and conditions, the next step is to plan an escape route, if you fall in a place to safely swim back too or if your location is threaten by either waves, weather or swell leave the fishing spot immediately by a safe escape route, always talk to locals who have fish the area before and ask is the area is known as dangerous

8. Stay alert and stay calm, don’t ever turn your back on the sea, never fish in exposed areas in rough or large seas. Check your local weather, swell size, tide times, wind conditions before going fishing, conditions can change very quickly is a short amount of time, listen to the latest forecasts or call 1900 937 107 for weather information