Having been an avid rock fisherman for a couple of years, Brendan McGuire says you become aware of the associated risks.
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"You're always warned about it, but you never think it could be you," he said.
"Unfortunately it comes up and it happens. It's so sad."
Police conducted sweeps of the foreshore around Port Kembla on Saturday, after three men died after being swept into the sea on Friday night.
A major emergency response began about 10pm on Friday, responding to reports several people had been washed off rocks into the sea at Port Kembla.
Police were told by witnesses a group of men were standing on rocks near Hill 60 when a large wave hit them, knocking them into the surf.
Speaking to the Mercury on Saturday morning, Campbelltown resident Mr McGuire, 22, said he had visited the Illawarra in order to check out the conditions at a few of his go-to rock fishing spots, including Hill 60.
Prior to being informed by the Mercury about Friday night's tragedy, he said he'd already decided the conditions at Port Kembla on Saturday morning weren't ideal for fishing.
"It's looking a bit choppy; we've got a little bit of wind coming on, so it's not ideal," he said.
"The back-up plan was to go to the beach for a swim.
"And what happened last night, that doesn't help (plans to fish there) either.
"Everywhere I go, I know the risks. If I come down and don't think I'm capable enough to fish here, I don't bother coming here until I'm prepared properly, and I've got plenty of people around me who know what they're doing as well.
"It comes down to, will the conditions get better or get worse? And am I going to be safe enough fishing here where I've got less of a chance of being saved by someone if I do fall in?"
Meanwhile, Sydney resident and regular rock fisherman Mark Galvez, 29, said Hill 60 was one of his favourite spots.
However, he said it could be a "dangerous spot".
Mr Galvez said he'd planned to fish there with family on Saturday morning, but decided against it given the unfavourable conditions and "the news of what happened last night".
"It's sad, very sad," he said.
Mr Galvez said such a tragedy reinforced the need to take proper safety precautions.
"For myself and my family, when we get to a fishing spot, especially off the rocks, you have to take those precautions... You can't even start up unless you know you're safe in the area," he said.
"But the waves, you can never... One minute it's calm, the next thing you know it's swirling around the rocks. You have to be careful about that."
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Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
