With rougher conditions settling in over the winter months and large swells becoming more frequent, land-based fishers need to put their safety first if wetting a line off the rocks.
The reminder comes a year on from a fisher who narrowly escaped drowning after being washed off the rocks in heavy swell at Quobba – conditions that really should have ruled out fishing in such an exposed location.
If it was not for one of Recfishwest’s angel rings thrown to the stricken fisher and a passing vessel, the incident could have added to the tragic tally of rock fishing deaths in WA.
The lucky fisher learned the hard way that fishing from rock platforms in heavy swell comes with big risks.
This means taking all precautions before even deciding to set out for a rock fishing session and if you still choose to go ahead, using all safety gear and precautions once on the stones.
This applies whether it be on the Gascoyne, Mid-West, South-West or Southern coastlines.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR ROCK FISHING SAFETY GUIDE
Wear a lifejacket when you fish from the stones
Wearing a lifejacket significantly increases your chances of survival when rock fishing and even if you don’t have your own, there are loan lifejackets available at outlets across WA through Recfishwest’s Fish and Survive program.
These lifejackets are light enough to barely notice them while you’re fishing – yet will become your best friend if you end up in the water and need to stay afloat.
If you don’t have a lifejacket, you can loan one for free at any of the store locations listed below.
Even seasoned and skilled land-based fishers – such as Gideon Mettam and Chris Dixon – always wear lifejackets when rock fishing, regardless of the conditions.
Chris Dixon, following a dangerously close shave with a rogue wave in his youth that saw $4,000 worth of gear lost – and nearly his life – said he won’t make the mistake of not wearing a lifejacket again.
“I had no lifejacket on that day and I’m certain I wouldn’t have been able to get out of where I was or make it far enough swimming to reach safety. If I had gone in that day, I am certain I wouldn’t be here now,” said Chris.
