Dave,
I would suggest that if you don't have very much fishing experience that you do not go rock fishing.
In Australia, rock fishing claims more lives than any other sport
It is not to be taken lightly.
I suggest that if you do want to learn about rock fishing, then you find someone experienced & follow their lead to learn the ropes.
Last thing I want to read in next weekends paper is "Dave Watson swept off rocks at Narooma"