WHEN you live on Macleay Island, fishing is more than just a hobby – it’s a way of life.
For Macleay Island resident Rik Watterson, fishing has been part of his life for as long as he can remember.
The 36-year-old spends time on the water every week, and often every day, chasing everything from whiting and mangrove jack to jewfish and threadfin salmon.
His favourite fishing location is the Macleay Island jetty, particularly after dark.
“It’s a great spot, depending on the tides,” Mr Watterson said.
“The fish come out after the ferries have run and especially at high tide.”
The jetty has delivered plenty of memorable catches over the years, including jewfish, mangrove jack, whiting and threadfin salmon.
Another favourite location is near the Macleay Island Bowls Club, where Mr Watterson targets whiting using techniques passed down through generations.
“I got 22 whiting the last time I went out,” he said.
His approach starts with pumping yabbies for bait before fishing over the yabby holes as the tide returns.
“The whiting are attracted to the sand which has become stirred up,” he said.
The fishing knowledge comes from his grandfather, who first introduced him to the pastime when he was just five years old.
“We would fish off his boat off Redland Bay or Coochie,” Mr Watterson said.
“Or we’d go a bit further to Peel or Straddie islands.
“My sister would come on a few trips, but it was mostly just us boys. It was awesome doing this together.
“My grandfather taught me how to fish and now I am able to pass those skills onto my own boys.”
Those lessons are now being shared with the next generation.
Mr Watterson’s sons, aged seven and nine, enjoy joining their father on fishing trips, mostly from the family boat.
“They mostly catch snags,” he joked.
Among his proudest catches is a 50cm mangrove jack landed from the Macleay Island jetty about six months ago.
His boat, a 3.8-metre whaler powered by a 50hp outboard and previously owned by his grandfather, has also helped him pursue larger offshore species.
“When we go out on the boat, we chase Spanish mackerel, mackerel tuna and parrot fish,” he said.
Some of his most memorable battles have come against large jewfish.
Despite the occasional heartbreak of losing a big fish at the boat, Mr Watterson said the challenge was all part of the attraction.
