FISHING is more than a job for Nick Whyte – it’s a way of life.
The 42-year-old Redland Bay local runs Tech Fishing, a company that teaches anglers and boaties how to get the most out of their marine electronics and sonar systems to find and target specific fish.
It’s a role that keeps him on the water most days, demonstrating how technology can transform a fishing trip into something far more precise.
“Basically, it’s your eyes underwater. Unless you put your head under the water, you can’t see the fish,” Mr Whyte said.
He said most boats now carried sounders or fish finders, with prices ranging from $500 to $50,000.
The systems worked on an echo system, sending sound waves through the water that bounced back from fish and the seabed.
“Sophisticated electronics can even help you tell what species you’re looking at based on the echo,” he said.
When he’s not teaching others how to use this technology, Mr Whyte enjoys spending time on his own 20-foot centre console boat powered by a 200hp motor – a long way from his teenage years fishing with his brothers after school from a 12-foot tinnie with a 6hp engine near Victoria Point.
One of his fondest fishing memories is from when he was 20, catching a 1.37-metre jewfish on a soft plastic lure at the mouth of the Brisbane River.
“I let him go, but I still remember it,” he said.
His favourite destination is Stanage Bay, near Rockhampton – a remote stretch along Australia’s longest uninhabited coast.
“It’s secluded and there aren’t too many boats there, and the fishing’s great.”
Common catches include fingermark bream, black jew, nannygai and coral trout.
He’s also a regular at Lake Monduran, north of Gin Gin, where he fishes for barramundi purely for sport.
“You can pick up some big barras there, but being fresh water, they aren’t something to keep,” he said.
“For me, it’s the thrill of the catch – especially with barra because they’re aerobatic fish.
“They throw themselves around and are fun to catch.”
He also enjoys fishing at Jumpinpin for salmon and mulloway, but says flathead remain his all-time favourite.
Mr Whyte will next test his skills in the Dash 4 Cash Flathead competition at Southport on Saturday, hosted by the Gold Coast Sportfishing Club.
The event is judged on the five biggest flathead caught on the day — and Mr Whyte is no stranger to success, having already won the prestigious Flathead Classic three times.
“Flathead set up in shallow water, and it helps to know their habits. Knowing your fish always gives the best results.”
