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Whilst I don't do it so often these days there is a time in my fishing history when fishing off the rocks or "rock hopping" as we called it was my preferred form of fishing. Sure rock hopping has its inherent risk factors but with a little good management you can still undertake this form of fishing with some modicum of safety.

In recent years there has been a number of fatalities off the rocks and this article has only one purpose and that is to remind people that its easy to overestimate your own ability and equally easy to underestimate the forces of nature that may be working against you.

A starting list of things to consider when you plan your next rock hopping excursion is detailed below.

Weather

Perhaps the first thing you should consider is the weather in general and the sea condition in particular. The one factor that people most commonly underestimate is the wave action. For a start wave action can be bigger than predicted because of the propensity of the incoming tide to push waves onto shore. Also as the tide falls the waves have a propensity to become steeper as the receding tide holds them up allowing them to ultimately fall in a dumping action. And how many people understand that the seas predicted in a weather forecast only covers the top 2/3 of average waves and that something like, one in two thousand waves, will be twice the height of the forecast wave height (See footnote à below). In any case when you arrive at your fishing destination you should satisfy yourself that its safe. Watch the sea for a reasonable time and satisfy yourself that its safe taking into account the one in 2000 rouge wave that you may not have seen. Also think of the worst event and determine what you would do if your washed into the sea and where the safer exit points are. If the seas are too rough don't rock fish - your asking for trouble.

Clothing

The most important item of clothing when rock hopping is undoubtedly your foot wear. Its only your foot wear that is keeping you in contact with terra firma and for my part I want it to be not only comfortable but to also grip to those rocks like Perkins paste. You can either wear cleats that clip on around your sand shoes or better still consider in investing in a pair of boots or sandals that are purpose built with rock fishing soles. Other clothing is important also but often you will compromise clothing which may avoid you getting scrapes from rocks and coral, in the event of a fall, for comfort and flexibility. Also there is the argument that lighter thinner clothing is the easier to swim in if you finish up in the water.

Mates

Not only is it more enjoyable fishing with a mate or mates but also its a lot safer. Don't fish so close to each other that if one of you get into trouble then your both or all will probably be in trouble and have a safety arrangement in place. For example one person may go for help whilst a second person may provide assistance. By the way, assistance doesn't mean jumping into the water as well. Assistance may involve watching the sea for the person in the water and telling them when and where is the best place and time to try to regain shore or it may involve throwing a safety line or even just being there to offer encouragement and help them ashore when the do make ground.

Safety gear

It's about time that every rock fisher came to grips with the fact that, no matter how good a swimmer they think they are, their vulnerable to the forces of nature when fishing off the rocks and that they should wear a PFD (personal flotation devise). The argument against that has always been one of comfort and in the case of a lot of blokes a testosterone conflict (i.e. they don't want to be seen being too sensible). Well the good news is that PFD's have come of age and I noticed on the Whitworths web site (See footnote b below) that for as little as $98.90 (See footnote b below) you can purchase a "yolk style" inflatable life vest that is easy to wear and non encumbering when fishing, yet inflates into a full life jacket with the tug of a cord. As for the problem of thinking that if you wear a life jacket you may look a bit strange or whatever then - get over it. The most compelling argument for wearing a PFD is that flotation aids were not used by any of the 74 people who died rock fishing between 1992 and 2000 (See footnote ç below).

The other item of safety gear that you should take with you is a throwing line of around thirty meters of strong cord with something like a small floating boat fender on one end. You can toss the fender to somebody in trouble whilst holding the other end or alternatively someone can toss the fender to you.

Finially

Always let someone know where you will be fishing and when your expected to return and stick to your timetable, and

Just for the sake of experience put you rock fishing gear on and in a controlled and safe environment jump into the water (even your back yard pool) and experience first hand how hard it is to swim and to climb out of the water. When you have had that experience multiply the degree of difficulty by a factor of say ten to take into account t that you will probably be suffering from shock in an actual event, probably will have cuts and abrasions from being washed across the rocks, will be in rough turbid water etc. etc.

If you come up with your own sensible safety regime then chances are you'll never be a statistic and hopefully you'll enjoy countless safe and rewarding rock hopping outings.

Safe fishing and tight lines,
 
STEPHEN CHATTERTON

References:

• Australian Boating Manual Third Edition by Capt. Dick Gandy page 598
• www.whitworths.com.au
• Report by NSW Water safety Task Force

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