Rock life jackets.

[pommy]

Greetings all!

Does anyone have any info or links regarding life jackets used while rock fishing?

Regards, Rob.
Ballina.

[johnlikes2fish]

why would you need a life jacket?

[pilgrim]

Those self inflating ones go for about $138 at annaconda, expensive as far as lifejackets go but unobtrusive, and less restrictive than a regular one. Not sure what your budget is.

[pommy]

Greetings!

(a) English Gentlemen don't swim, they get their servants or Collonials to do it for them.

(b) It sometimes gets a little bit "frisky" around Lennox Point or on the "Iron Peg"!

Also thinking about getting some sort of helmet, since Deepfried had a "pebble" land about 2m behind him on a Point fishing session. Exploded like a bullet!

Regards, Rob.
Ballina.

[pommy]

More seriously!

Are they PF1s, or something else?

Any comments from the kayak brigade?

Rob.

[LBGaddict]

If you intend to wear one, get an inflatable. A regular PFD1 is the worst thing you could possibly wear while rock fishing. The geniuses who promote the use of PFDs rock fishing are endangering fishermen unnecessarily. Get an inflatable, if you go in, swim deep and long then inflate and swim around the corner to the northern beach from the Iron Peg.

Can you not swim? or just not like to?
Weak swimmers should not be rock fishing period.

[stonecold]

G'Day Rob..In 30 years of rock fishing Ive never had the need to a lifejacket on the rocks.....if its frisky i just dont go. Not saying that they are not a good idea
I know at least 2 blokes that wont fish the point at lennox because of pebbles the size of dumptrucks falling from above, no helmets going to stop that

[pommy]

Hi Mark!

Long time, no talk to!

If a big one hits, then it's curtains! If a small, wallnut sized one, that nearly got Scott come down then a helamet is fine. One or two mounteneering mates have been saved by climbing helmets.

Would be good to go for a fish sometime.

LBG. I don't swim so good. I can breast stroke for 1 or 2 k's in a swimming pool, but in the sea, who knows? I also can't read currents ans swells that well... particularly if my head is just above the water line.

I am, however, very cautious and stay well away from rocks when the swell is up or unpredictable.

Regards, Rob.
Ballina.

[stonecold]

Thats my fault Rob sorry...busy and been chasing bass out of the kayak pretty much non stop for the past 6-8 weeks...its addictive. Im away for the next week but I'll catch up when I get back

Cheers Mark

[sleepygreg]

The advice about PFD-1s is spot on.....dont even bother using them when rock fishing. Guaranteed to have you smashed against the rocks or trapped in an underwater cave just under the ledge. I am not a strong swimmer (i dont like swimming) but I forced myself to learn to swim in surf conditions because I love rock fishing. The aim being to get yourself as far away from the rocks as you can....until your buddies on the rocks can get help, or you can inflate your 'inflateable' jacket. Just make sure you get one that you can swim in once its inflated...most of em you cant.....so you can at least try to get to the adjoining beach and stop from being washed back into the rocks. I was brought up on the rock ledges around Sydney and the NSW south coast....and they are some of the most dangerous in this land...I also have a healthy respect for the sea....if it looks dodgy....I head to the beaches near the rock platforms....can get some awesome fish off the beaches in those conditions.
Just my opinion

Greg

[johnlikes2fish]

I would never wear a pfd when rockfishing the need to go under a wave would mean a pfd could cost your life, if its a little frisky dont go its that simple. I gave this some thought about 5yrs ago after a spate of drownings and decided the risk outweighed any benefit, best bet is fish with a mate take a rope and float if you are that concerned. My rule when rockfishing is if I'm not sure about conditions then thats a no.
The ability to swim is a necessity when rock fishing.