If you’re inexperienced at rock fishing or a poor swimmer, we strongly encourage you to keep the sand between your toes and fish from the beach. If you choose to go rock fishing though, check out these safer rock fishing tips in this video and below.
WA’s coastline is powerful and unpredictable. Taking a few simple precautions can significantly reduce the risks.
Tell someone your plans
Always let a responsible person know where you’re fishing and when you expect to return. Avoid fishing alone – heading out with a mate or family member means you can look out for each other and respond quickly in an emergency. It’s safer and more enjoyable.
Know the conditions
Check local weather, swell and tide forecasts before you go. Once on location, take time to observe conditions – they can change quickly and may differ from predictions. For up-to-date forecasts, visit the Bureau of Meteorology’s website and/or download and check various weather apps such as Seabreeze, WillyWeather and Windy.
Wear the right footwear
Choose footwear with non-slip soles to reduce the risk of slipping on wet rocks. Lightweight shoes are best – heavy boots, including steel-caps, may offer protection but can weigh you down if you fall in.
Wear appropriate clothing
Wear light, practical clothing that won’t restrict movement if you are washed in. Jumpers and thick cotton clothing become very heavy when wet, making swimming difficult and hard to remove quickly.
Know how to swim
Rock fishers may need to swim during normal fishing activities or in an emergency. If you fish, you should be able to swim confidently.
If you are a poor swimmer, simply don’t risk fishing off the rocks – because no fish is worth your life.
Wear a lifejacket
For rock fishing, we recommend the Crewsaver Crewfit 165 – compact, comfortable and designed to be worn all day.
Don’t have one? All of the tackle stores and locations here will loan you one for free, so pay them a visit.
It’s also a wise move to fish where there are rock anchor bolts or angel rings nearby as detailed on the map as this will bolster your safety even further.
The Department of Transport runs regular clinics to show you how to service your lifejacket – more details here.
If you have an old, worn lifejacket, Royal Lifesaving Western Australia runs the Old4New scheme through which you can upgrade to a new, modern safer design for a discounted price – click here for more details.
Beware of black rock
Keep clear of black rock at all times. Constant exposure to fresh and salt water allows black algae to form, making surfaces extremely slippery.
Where rock anchor points are installed, always use suitable rope and a proper harness to secure yourself.
Using rock anchor points
Anchor points have been trialed and installed at selected high risk rock fishing locations, mainly throughout the South West and south coast of WA.
Department of Parks and Wildlife, along with local governments, and community groups, community champions and volunteers have installed 122 rock anchor points at the following locations:
- Salmon Holes in Albany (six rock anchor points are installed);
- Esperance (60 in total) at Wharton Beach (three), Quagi Beach (three), Thistle Cove (nine), Hellfire Bay (four), Thomas River (four), Dolphin Cove (three), Dunn Rock (four), Salmon Beach (seven), Chapmans Point (seven) and Wiley Bay (five);
- South West (56) in Leeuwin – Naturalise National Park including: Rocky Point, Cape Naturaliste, Sugarloaf Rock, Torpedo Rocks, Wyadup, Contos, Boranup (North Point) and Skippy Rock.
To tie up to an anchor point you will need about 10m of rope, length varies depending on site. Use this to tie a bowline knot at the anchor point and check the knot is secure by pulling it.
Using the other end of the rope attach it to a harness or wrap around the waist and secure. Avoid slack in the rope when fishing as waves can still wash you off your feet and onto the rocks. Ensure you are a safe distance from the edge when fishing.
