A WYNNUM man has taken fishing to new heights, using a jetski to haul in big catches and film his adventures for his popular YouTube channel.
Paul Hayes first started fishing from a jetski in 2017 after spotting another angler using the method.
Now, with his Yamaha FX HO, Mr Hayes is hooked on the convenience and thrill of fishing offshore with a nimble, fuel-efficient craft.
“Jetskis are great for accessing areas that would normally require a larger boat, and they’re also a lot easier on the wallet in terms of fuel efficiency,” he said.
“The kids are all grown up now, so using the jetski makes perfect sense.”
Despite the comfort and efficiency of his jetski, Mr Hayes, 62, admits it can be physically demanding when fighting strong winds and rough tides.
However, he enjoys the challenge and the freedom it provides, especially when crossing the notorious Brisbane bar.
“The ski is perfect for conditions like these where no other boats can go out,” he said.
To ensure safety and improve his fishing experience, Mr Hayes has made several modifications to his craft, including a personal locator beacon, marine VHF radios, and a host of fishing accessories such as a Tubbies fibreglass pontoon, live bait tank, and Garmin fish finder.
His jetski’s extended fuel tank now holds 110 litres, allowing him to venture as far as 20 kilometres off the South Passage bar to target species like Spanish mackerel, wahoo, snapper, amberjack, and kingfish.
One of Mr Hayes’ most memorable catches came in 2023 when he reeled in a 1.65m wahoo off Point Lookout.
“We always bring home a good feed of fish, and our friends benefit too,” he said.
“I usually catch more than I can eat, but ironically, our son doesn’t like fish!”
