Rock fisherman dies in Sydney's east

A rock fisherman has died after being swept into dangerous seas on Sydney's eastern beaches.

Witnesses called triple 0 on Sunday morning after spotting the man in the water at Lurline Bay, near Maroubra.

Police said the man, in his 40s, had been fishing with a friend when he went into the water to collect a bucket.

Life Saver Rescue Helicopter's Stephen Leahy said lifeguards found the man floating in the ocean.

He was winched out of the water and airlifted to a nearby park where CPR was carried out, Mr Leahy said.

However he could not be revived.

Mr Leahy said the man was not wearing a life jacket.

"There is dangerous surf conditions along the Sydney coast and much of the NSW coast," he told AAP.

"It is dangerous for rock fishing."

Last weekend a rock fisherman died after being swept into the water at a popular fishing spot at North Curl Curl on Sydney's northern beaches.

The death prompted a plea from rescuers for fishers to wear life jackets and heed weather warnings.

Surf Life Saving NSW manager of lifesaving Andy Kent said basic safety precautions were not being taken by many rock fishers.

"Our volunteer lifesavers, lifeguards and emergency services are constantly being called to rockfishing emergencies, often risking their own safety to try to rescue people," he said.

Mr Kent also praised the efforts from lifesavers and lifeguards.

"The conditions are pretty hazardous out there and the South Maroubra clubbies did a great job to respond the way they did," he said.

Surf lifesavers are concerned as the coastal drowning toll in NSW stands at nine since July 1, and the official surf patrol season has not even begun.