Many people think fishing is just an activity for the old and retired. But that’s not true at all. The Koala Outdoor team thinks Rock Fishing can be a lot of fun, whether you are with your family or friends or by yourself, as long as you know what to do. Rock fishing is one of the most dangerous sports on the water in Australia.
A few tips for getting started would in the rock and bait fishing world include wearing proper clothing, bringing the right equipment and being aware of the hidden dangers in your area so you know what to look out for. And last but not least, always stay safe!
Read on to learn more about rock fishing and how you can stay safe while reeling in some great catches!
What's Rock Fishing?Is it Legal to Fish from the Rocks?
What to use when Rock Fishing?
Do you have to Wear a Life-Jacket when Rock Fishing?
What is Rock Fishing?
Rock fishing is a popular pastime in Australia and New Zealand. And while many people think this activity is just for retirees, it can be a lot of fun for anyone. Whether you are with your family or friends or by yourself, there a a few tips to keep in mind that will help to make your rock fishing experience both safe and enjoyable.
A few tips to get started would include dressing properly, bringing the right equipment and being aware of the hidden dangers in your area so you know what to look out for. And last but not least, always stay safe!
Is Rock Fishing Legal?
Rock Fishing is a popular way of fishing in Australia. However it can be quite dangerous with on average 13 people dying per year while rock fishing. On average 66% of those deaths take place in New South Wales.
Introduced in 2016 was the "Rock Fishing Safety Act" which makes it compulsory for anyone who is rocking fishing anywhere, and anyone who is helping them rock fish to wear an appropriate life jacket.
If you don't follow these compulsory rules, and do not wear a life jacket you run the risk of copping an infringement and fine.
What do you use for Rock Fishing?
In order to have a succesful rock fishing experience, we recommend that you have the best fishing rod and best fishing lures for the trip. You should also be bringing life jackets.
Longer rods are preferred as your casting distance will be lengthened and will also prevent you from having to get too close to the water or moving around on the rocks. This decreases the chance of you slipping or falling.
A recommended setup is as follows;
- 3 metre medium action spinning rod
- 10-15 kilogram monofilament fishing line
- 18-25 kilogram fluorocarbon leader
- Saltwater spinning reel (One that could approximately hold up to 200 metres of 10 kilogram monofilament fishing line)
Some of our favourite lures to use when fishing are the 8 Segment Live-Action Lures, Soft-Type Lures and Popper Lures.
Do you have to wear a lifejacket when Rock Fishing?
The Koala team highly recommends that you wear safety gear like a lifejacket while you are rock fishing. This is become rock fishing can become deadly in an instant. It's one of the leading causes of death on the water in Australia.
If you reside in New South Wales and are rock fishing it is mandatory to wear an appropriate lifejacket while rock fishing. If you are found not wearing an appropriate lifejacket you can be fined $100 on the spot. It is also a great idea to have an escape route planned if you fall into the water from the rock ledges.
Some more safety tips that you should consider while rock fishing is be wearing the right shoes that won't slip on rocks, always stay alert, look for the high tide, wear lightweight clothing that won't weigh you down if it gets wet and to carry a mobile phone with you.
Conclusion
If you want to rock fish, there are a few things you need to know before heading out. For example, make sure that when fishing from the rocks in Australia you will need appropriate clothing for your area and equipment such as rods, reels and bait. When deciding on what type of equipment to buy, consider how far away the nearest body of water is so you don't have too much weight with you! If all this sounds like something new for your next adventure outside-of-the-box idea? Let us know about your plans below! We love hearing from our readers and what we're doing in the community. Do you have a suggestion for an article? Let us know below!
As you can see, rock fishing is not just something your grandfather did. In fact, many people get started during their retirement years. But it’s also a good activity for anyone who wants to try something different from other types of sports or outdoor activities out there today. Give it a shot and let us know how it goes! Happy Fishing!!
