nite ledge fishing. safe or not safe

[saving private brian]

hey lads just read a post on a father and son there today on blackhead lighthouse.some thing that has always bothered was fishing at nite from ledges but after reading there im gaining more confidence.we all know the beaches are safer.i know there is people out there that do it and r big into the rock/legde fishing during the day but at nite its a different kettle of fish.theres a legde i found at home that im dyin to try at nite but at low tide a drop of 7-10 foot is possible.i have a funny feeling it will produce as they are getting big pollock and ling 100 yards off it and im sure fish like that with good baits out will travel closer to the shore to feed.

any1 advise me on good safety tips for this fishing

also wat rigs to use.im thinking rotten bottoms with one hooked clipped down???????????.. thanks brian

[fishermannum1]

hi Brain i wouldn't even consider fishing a off a rock/ledge at night, unless i have fished it a good few times in daylight, so i have a good idea of the surrounding. even at that it is like you say.... its a different kettle of fish.... from a mark in daylight than at nightime. think safety first, wear safety gear, and dont fish ALONE.

[saving private brian]

aye i agree with u there alrite with high visibilty and fish with sum1.was also thinking of gettin a roll of reflector tape and put it down as a no cross line.will ave plenty of light and it will be easy seen.i have looked fro sum but cant find it.so does any1 know where i will get a roll of reflector tape

hi Brain i wouldn't even consider fishing a off a rock/ledge at night, unless i have fished it a good few times in daylight, so i have a good idea of the surrounding. even at that it is like you say.... its a different kettle of fish.... from a mark in daylight than at nightime. think safety first, wear safety gear, and dont fish ALONE.

[barracuda]

It is a good idea to tie a rope to yourself (belt, etc) and anchor it to something sturdy.

[agardiner22]

Yes, a rope and definately familiarity during the day, like findin a spot with no holes underfoot and always a headlamp.
I also bring an led strip torch to give more light for changing gear and moving.

[twinkle]

i will always bring my lifejacket while fishing off rocks day or night.....................just in case

[baitdigger]

Yes, a rope and definately familiarity during the day, like findin a spot with no holes underfoot and always a headlamp.
I also bring an led strip torch to give more light for changing gear and moving.

I dont agree with the two replies about rope, if a mark is so bad that you need to tie yourself on you shouldnt be there at all, chances are you would hang yourself or trip on the rope.
Fish the mark in daylight until you are confidedent and keep away from the edge at night.

[Ocean Roar]

Use lights inc head torch and if you can a flotation suit. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be leaving.

Tying yourself to something with a rope isn't a good idea.

[jw]

this is a very dangerous time of year to be rock fishing on the west coast,
day or night the season is changing out in the atlantic ocean and a storm out
there could send big swells over even on what looks like a calm day here,

just watch the news, some poor fellow will end up dead again this year
over the next few weeks

[syboit]

this is a very dangerous time of year to be rock fishing on the west coast,
day or night the season is changing out in the atlantic ocean and a storm out
there could send big swells over even on what looks like a calm day here,

just watch the news, some poor fellow will end up dead again this year
over the next few weeks

There was already 2 in west cork over the past few weeks

[saving private brian]

isnt that down too bad safety thou.u need to be prepared for the worst in these situations but if u play safe u shud be safe.its when u take risks is wen u get caught

this is a very dangerous time of year to be rock fishing on the west coast,
day or night the season is changing out in the atlantic ocean and a storm out
there could send big swells over even on what looks like a calm day here,

just watch the news, some poor fellow will end up dead again this year
over the next few weeks

[fishermannum1]

you can make youself safe enough when on the mark,but one main point of safety is, getting safely onto and off the mark in the dark, this is when an accident can happen, and as has been said, try to wear a floatation suit or somekind of floatation aid, leave information with someone of were you's are fishing, and roughly what time you's will be back at.

and for christs sake dont tie a rope around yourself.

[saving private brian]

i was thinkling the same. a rope around u wud be letal.u need quick and easy access incase of sudden dangers arise.its not rock climbing we r lol.mite be no harm thou to have a rope in the box thou for safety reaso

[barracuda]

Using a rope when fishing off rocks day or night is perfectly sensible and good practise used in many other countries - anyone who thinks it is somehow more dangerous to anchor yourself by a rope when fishing off a ledge or rocks needs to cop on. Simple, it stops you falling/slipping/being washed into the soup, a life jacket is great but see how long you can last in cold water having your head bashed off rocks by waves before anyone finds you.

Next they'll tell rock climbers and construction workers that using ropes and harnesses is dangerous - what is dangerous is such stupid advice.

There have already been a number of fatalities thsi year off rocks that could have been prevented if people were secured to the ledges they were on.

[agardiner22]

well there is always the possibility of tripping over it and that causing u to bang ur head,twist ankle etc.
it just boils down to what ur comfy with.

[bokofinn]

Your answer is in your own question lad , if you feel you have to ask if its safe you must doubt the choice of rock fishing at night , bad enough in broad daylight, but to do it at night is madness unless your a SEAL WITH WINGS , big no no from myself anyhow . safe fishing .

[yngkmd]

personally i dont think i would be comfortable being tethered to a rock or a railing when fishing.
ive been fishing off rocks day and night for 20 years and never even come closing to falling in once, granted it wouldnt be the first time my foot went down a small crevice or i tripped over something but that was because it was back from the edge and i wasnt watching what i was doing. i ALWAYS give my full concentration if going anywhere near the edge and if its slippy stay as far back from the edge as is possible or practical.
safety is always a priority and i wouldnt think twice about leaving a rock mark if i though it was or was getting too rough no matter how good the fishing was, but at the end of the day accidents do happen no matter how safety concious you are or how well you try to prepare yourself.
Throwing a rope into the mix trailing about after me, i can image lamps, tripods and bags getting caught up and dragged over the rocks as well as an increased chance of cracking your skull when you trip on it and go head first onto the nearest pointy rock.
all i can say is whats already been said. fish it first in day time, preferably at high tide so you can see where the water comes up to and where the splashes\washes will be. or even go look on a really rough day when its too rough to fish as this would make the danger areas at lot easier to see so you know where to avoid.
also i think a lamp is invaluable, head torch is also a must but it only lights up a small spot at a time. i would always position the lamp behind me and on a slightly higher rock if possible as well so it lights up the area in front of me (between me and the rod and the rock edge) without me having it in my direct line of sight which can interfere with my night vision.
as for dont fish alone i think that would be down to the venue. there are places i would happily fish alone at night but these would all have realtively easy access and be moderately close to civilisation/car park. anything that involves steep climbs or trekking half a mile over jagged rock etc i would normally avoid at night, even if i was with someone.

finally, the BIGGEST mistake to make, and one some of us have come a cropper to (myself included when i thought i knew where i was standing and went down a hole and dislocated my thumb) is NEVER get complacent to the potential dangers, especailly if its a mark you are familiar with, over confidence can be a killer.

[barracuda]

You'd have the rope at a length to prevent you going far enough - so if a rogue wave came along or you slipped on a bit of weed you couldn't go in the water which is what generally kills people.

As they say no fish is worth a life - so however ye decide to fish off rocks or ledges, safety is paramount.

All the best.

[Ocean Roar]

There are options

[agardiner22]

I would never chance wet/low tide rocks in the dark, just not worth it. the danger of a head knock would be too great IMO.
I always fish from rocks well above HT.