If you think fishing the West Coast is all about trophy catches and postcard views, think again. While the fishery off New Zealand’s rugged West Coast is often described as second to none, it’s also one of the most dangerous environments you can enter with a rod and reel. The latest episode of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council’s podcast, “One Mistake Is All It Takes,” takes listeners right to the heart of this stark reality.
In this seventh episode, five seasoned local fishers – men who’ve spent decades working and playing on this unforgiving coastline – share their stories, their close calls, and their advice for staying alive. This isn’t scaremongering. It’s real talk from people who’ve seen the sea at its worst, and who know just how quickly a good day’s fishing can turn tragic.
The West Coast’s raw beauty hides its dangers well. There are no offshore islands to run behind when the wind picks up, no sheltered harbours for a quick escape when the swell rolls in. Weather shifts fast, and those who aren’t ready – or who think they can outsmart the elements – often pay a heavy price. Since 1980, 192 recreational fishers have drowned in New Zealand, and two-thirds of those deaths happened on the rocks.
You’ll hear in this episode how rock fishing, in particular, comes with brutal statistics: just 26% of fishers wear life jackets, and over a third can’t swim more than 50 metres. It’s no surprise that many fatalities happen close to shore, often in places locals know all too well. The sad truth is that many of these deaths could have been prevented with basic preparation.
The podcast dives into what safe fishing looks like on the West Coast. It starts with the basics: well-fitted life jackets, proper footwear (gumboots don’t count), a PLB or other emergency beacon, and most importantly, a mate by your side. Fishing alone out here is just asking for trouble. When something goes wrong, and it often does, you need someone who can raise the alarm, throw a rope, or help drag you out.
Local fishing clubs come up as another key safety factor. They’re not just about swapping tall tales or chasing records. These communities offer hard-earned local knowledge, alerts about bar conditions, and rescue support when things go wrong. If you’re new to the area or only fish occasionally, plugging into one of these clubs can be the smartest move you make.
The episode doesn’t shy away from the aftermath of tragedy either. Rescuers speak of the long-term mental toll involved in retrieving bodies. Families are left with unanswered questions and lifelong grief. And too often, it all stems from one small decision – skipping the life jacket, fishing alone, ignoring the forecast – that sets off a chain of events no one can undo.
So if you’re heading out to fish, whether from rocks, surf or a small boat, make a plan. Check the forecast. Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Take the right gear. And listen to the locals – they’ve earned their caution the hard way.
No fish is worth your life.
To hear these stories firsthand and gain insight that could save your life or a mate’s, listen to Episode 7: One Mistake Is All It Takes: Real Stories from NZ’s Deadliest Waters, available now on the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council’s podcast channel.
