David Lowe, 24, of Wollongong, was fishing with friend Colin Edwards, 24, of Towradgi on Sunday about 11am when they hooked their prize catch.

"It took 45 minutes to get in," Mr Lowe said. "It was hard work because we only had a little rod.

"We probably catch one every time we go out, but we'll throw them back if they're too little.

"Sometimes they come up and swim around the back of the boat. I've heard of the big ones chewing on motors, but I've not seen it."

Mr Lowe said he did not believe there were more sharks than would usually be found in Illawarra waters.

"There's been a few attacks and then people just focus on it. This time of year there's always a lot about.

"I surf at Port Kembla, Shellharbour, everywhere. I'm not really thinking about sharks, although I've seen a few out there."

Mr Edwards has also spotted a number of sharks in the area.

"They're usually around this time of year when the water's warmer," he said. "I see them pretty regularly in summer but they don't usually bother us.

"I snorkel around the harbours - Wollongong and Bellambi. I've seen bronzies (bronze whalers) and I see hammerheads pretty regularly.

"If you're spearing fish they pretty regularly steal a fish off your floats but they're not interested in us."

NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said swimmers could help themselves to stay safe by swimming between the flags on patrolled beaches.

"The fact remains you are more likely to die driving to the beach than be taken by a shark," Mr Macdonald said.