Fishing Victoria Forum

I don't post on here very often, but thought I needed to share my near miss with the Member's.
Went rock fishing on Tuesday of the Great Ocean Rd near Lorne on the Apollo bay side.
Had a mate with me.
Checked the tides beforehand, went to my one of my regular haunts where I have had good results before hand.
Was fishing a dropping tide, had a coffee before I approached the platform and watched the platform for about 15 minutes before I ventured onto such to make sure that it was going to be safe.
Caught a few parrot fish in the first 10 minutes or so.
Number one rule, do not take your eyes of the water! Thank god I didn't. Saw a larger than usual swell approaching me and started retreating.
It just got bigger and bigger, took my escape route, wedged myself into a nearby rock fissure and hung on.
It just smashed me! Somehow, I managed to hang onto my rod, but all my other gear was washed off the rocks.
It happened that quick that I didn't even have time to be scared, I just thought, this could be the end.
Have fished the rocks for over 30 years so consider myself safe and competent. But as it turns out, never assume.
Am a little bit embarrassed posting this, but if my post here makes rock hoppers more cautious with their endeavours and someone who is contemplating going rock fishing for the first time more cautious with their approach it was not a wasted experience that I went through.
Regards Al.

Nicely said.

I can add my own cautionary to that too. Punchbowl rocks during a blow with no one there. Watched my spot from way up in the tussocks, thought it safe and thought I’d tackle up from the safety of my high perch. Turned my back to do so and while doing that the wave snuck up and washed through my ankles. If I had of been where I planned to be I would have been clearly swept away, dashed to pieces and never seen again except as a bloated waxy corpse some weeks later.

Rogue waves do that. #### Punchbowl.

Always good to remind us of the dangers of rock fishing, you guys were very lucky ..

I've never gone rock-fishing (although I see the appeal from that ongoing rock-fishing thread) so perhaps this is coming from ignorance, but it seems like the kind of thing where lots of people are experts until they're suddenly, tragically ... not.

Al03 wrote: ↑

Fri May 22, 2020 8:49 am

Am a little bit embarrassed posting this, but if my post here makes rock hoppers more cautious with their endeavours and someone who is contemplating going rock fishing for the first time more cautious with their approach it was not a wasted experience that I went through.
Regards Al.

Thanks Al

It reiterates, we ALL can never be too careful. Thanks for sharing and hopefully a timely reminder for us all

Cheers, Bugs

Thanks for sharing. It can be dangerous indeed.
Good that you're okay.

ChrisTaylor wrote: ↑

Fri May 22, 2020 1:20 pm

I've never gone rock-fishing (although I see the appeal from that ongoing rock-fishing thread) so perhaps this is coming from ignorance, but it seems like the kind of thing where lots of people are experts until they're suddenly, tragically ... not.

Yup, good analogy, have I learnt my lesson.
Just to replace my gear I lost is well over $500 bucks alone.
Mrs has asked that I rethink rock fishing all together.
She says she would rather me continue my deer hunting because it's safer.
Think it's a bit like when you fall off a horse, you have to get back on it.
It's a pity I am a bit of a loner and only like recreational activities where there are no people to annoy me.
Sure quite a few people on here can relate to that.
Hence why I avoid piers like the plague.

Thanks for the timely warning Al
You rock hoppers can have those ledges, I'll stick to safer places
Cheers Gra

Edit - I'm sure I've seen tethers used by some rock hoppers, maybe overseas

Out of curiousity, do you wear life jacket when rock fishing?

ecoronad wrote: ↑

Fri May 22, 2020 11:48 pm

Out of curiousity, do you wear life jacket when rock fishing?

I know some do
Gra