Meet the anglers who share their tales and scales beyond the sea.
They are Queensland’s fishing movers and shakers making waves via Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook, who favour a day out on the water over being stuck behind a desk — reeling in success as they go. SEE THE LIST
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Meet the Queensland social media influencers who have cast their lines far and wide, catching a myriad of followers in their wake.
Their footage varies from spilling the contents of their catch onto the sorting table on a trawler to fly fishing.
Or perhaps they’re the hobbyists teaching others about aquaculture.
Either way, they’re the popular online names no one quite thinks of when you say the word “influencers”.
Meet the fishing fanatics who will go fishing all night because they love it so much and have become the envy of mates thanks to their hot industry tips and tricks. Smell fishy? Then read on.
Michael Guest @reelactiontv
Public figure Michael Guest entertains fishing fanatics via a podcast which explores techniques and equips novices with the right tools for the job. Guests has instilled a love of his hobby to 11.1K followers via his Instagram account. His feats to fame include trolling Marlin, netting a Flathead, catching a 20kg Mulloway and exploring freshwater estuaries for a massive Murray cod. The Reel Action fishing podcast lures in game fishers to shrimping fans and has all biting for more. His subject matter varies from rally cars to spearfishing. The keen environmentalist teaches young anglers to catch and release and only take what they need.
Rodney Pacciti @rokkitkit
Gold Coast YouTuber Rodney Pacciti has captivated 447K subscribers and reeled them in hook, line and sinker by his action-packed content. He features diverse species from crabs to mussels, Marlins and Great White Sharks. Pacciti is the angler behind channel RoKKiT KiT posting on all things fishing from catch cooking, solo camping and exploring the Australian coastline. He has filmed more than 250 videos ranging in length from 20 minutes to an hour. His Instagram account RoKKiT KiT has had 63,583,802 views since he joined in March 2013. His content includes 292 videos. Rodney says he’s “just an average guy that loves the ocean and outdoors,” Pacitti blogs about his adventures above and below the water. Some of his most viewed clips include Living from the Ocean … Solo Beach Camping On An Uninhabited Island – Day 2 which hit the four million mark and I Bought a Small Sail Boat – “Misty” The Ocean Tiny Home. Rodney live streams instructional fishing videos, takes viewers on his adventures camping solo while he teaches them bush skills.
Briggsy Sport Fishing @Briggsy
Some fishermen cast a line for game, others fish purely for leisure, but Briggsy has targeted the niche market of sport fishing. He has then secured his place as an industry figurehead and reeled in 384K subscribers since joining in 2016. His 151 videos are geared “for everyone who loves fishing.” The content creator uses real life anecdotes to engage viewers such as teaching his two-year-old how to catch fish, explanations around how to choose a rod and the technique involved in working with a lure. His 19 Catch n’ Cook videos are a great way to learn about his treatment of dishes from fresh to seawater often cooked by campfire. Content varies from rock fishing to beach fishing, island fishing and fishing in an estuary. This guy has got every technique down pat. Briggsy’s site has enjoyed around 61,433,344 views since its inception. He has snatched up more than 86.4K followers on Instagram. While his Tik Tok account briggsyfishing is a crowd-pleaser with 291.7K views. Watch Briggsy go from strength-to-strength as he gains momentum via social media channels.
Nick Mandicos @KeepingFishSimple
Tune into popular instructional video channel run by hobbyist Nick Mandicos. The Brisbane-based Youtuber profiles the ins and outs of setting up an aquarium to 290K subscribers. The Freshwater enthusiast plugs topics like the best plants for your aquarium to how to breed Siamese fighting fish. It’s the perfect go to for people who want to keep fish as pets. He films a mix of content about the tropical fish in his Yeerongpilly aquarium shop. Nick’s informational and entertaining videos are released weekly and have secured more than 33 million views across the video platform. Nick’s inside the looking glass explores the art of breeding fish in tanks and provides an insight into the underwater world.
Andy’s Fishing Wild Cook @Andysfishing
With the Great Barrier Reef at his fingertips and the azure blue ocean making the backdrop to a range of stunning videos it’s no wonder born and raised Airlie Beach resident Andy Thomsen has launched a successful career from short, sharp videos.
The Youtuber promotes the motto of “catch it, cook it, eat it!” sharing catchy cooking-style videos while exploring beautiful settings across the country in the process. Andy shares his self-taught skills in fishing, camping and boating with onlookers drooling over his meaty catches.
Starting his YouTube career in 2013, Andy has grown a massive following of 242K subscribers and has made more than 580 videos while still operating his own fly-fishing and guiding business in the Whitsundays. He even offers online fishing lessons which have proved to be a crowd-pleaser. The social media guru tackles topics from fishing and cooking to adventure and travel. You can watch Andy fishing off the rocks and marvel at his fishy repertoire in the process.
Mylurebox John Costello @mylurebox
This YouTuber is not afraid to get his hands dirty and can often be seen deep in the mangroves while showcasing fishing gear to some 43K subscribers. John has profiled 303 videos which have scored some 7,375,025 views. He shared his first-hand experience of catching a tiny brown trout in the Snowy Mountains which first ignited his love of fishing. Then, he goes onto share the thrill of catching the next bite which has fuelled his obsession 20 years on. He still captures his fishy adventures and shares them with family and friends. For John, fishing is escapism, and he candidly shares his adventures on kayak, tinny and Jet Ski. He reveals insights, tips and independent reviews to help his followers get their fishing on point.
He’s also produced four fishing films with topics including fishing on The Gold Coast and catching giant Flathead in The Shallows. He’ll have you ready to hit the water to see for yourself if you can land one of these beauties.
Brooke Frecklington @Hookedonbrooke
While fishing is synonymous with Aussie blokes, this former model is turning heads online. The Australian fisherwoman has reeled in tens of thousands of followers to her social media accounts and can be seen sporting a range of the latest bikinis. The former Playboy Bunny has a 27K strong following and it's not just her fishing skills which admirers are interested in. Queensland angler Brooke Frecklington goes by the social media handle Hooked on Brooke. For whatever the reason, the beach babe and outdoor ambassador has won the crowd over hook, line and sinker.
Luke Falzon @lukefalzon
This man is quite the catch! He has a massive 728K subscribers and 26.7K Instagram
followers. The Far North Queensland adventurer can be seen spearfishing crayfish, reeling in massive tuna and catching prawns near a crocodile trap. He takes the audience on a journey with him via four-wheel-drive, caravan or boat with his family and paw pal in tow.
ReelLoose Adventures @reellooseadventures
@reellooseadventures has 10.1K subscribers. The site showcases 115 videos revealing the far north Queensland mates hunting for red boar to wild Barramundi. During filming the content creators reveal what they get up to on the weekends while getting reel deep, reel lost and reel loose. Their adventures show them in pursuit of catching a giant lobster or having fun in the sun. The team joined social media in September 2020 and have scored 1,527,271 views.
Willem ‘Powerfish’ Ungermann
The revelled influencer has become a social media legend among locals best known for his comic videos, fishing content and community work. Willem has built a strong following of 7,681,420 Instagram users. He claims to be a World Record Holder for his three metre Flathead. With a subscriber count of 236K, Willem is a legend among Gold Coast locals.
His home turf is located between the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads in NSW. Willem has become known for his outrageous social media personality profiling topics from fishing to giving away boats for free. Ungermann has scored more than 26 million views across his videos and uses his social media fame to bring awareness and donate to local charities and businesses. Ungermann faced court and was charged with boat ramp prank in 2020.
Anne Marie @annemarie — fishing —
Anne Marie is a Mackay angler who can be seen on a river bank, on a boat which can be or from the shoreline casting in a line. She poses besides cascading waterfalls and sunsets. She shows off a variety of fish, wild boar and bird life. Anne Marie captures picturesque views of the region along with tranquil oceans. Ms Marie has hauled in 15.1K followers to date. She is also regularly published in the New World Angler magazine for her impressive catches.
CoastfishTV
This dedicated channel takes you on angling adventures with fisherman chasing a diverse range of Australian species. There’s 32K plus anglers on this site. Topics range from fish feeding to up close shark encounters. There’s handy fishing tips dedicated to specific species such as Bream. There’s 118 videos live and it boasts a playlist of fishing tutorials for subscribers.
Shianna Peacock and Jesse Morton @yourippa — adventures
This dynamic duo share an Instagram account with 7005 followers. The pair travel across North Queensland and the Northern Territory in a four-wheel drive and buggy with fishing, hunting and camping high on the agenda. Adventure is a key theme running through their site content featuring up close encounters with crocs or four-wheel driving with their four legged friends.
Reef Addicts @reef.addicts
Larissa, Josh and Tyrone the adventure dog take centre stage on the myriad of social media posts which comprises Reef Addicts.
You cannot help but notice these fishing lovers are living the dream surrounded by stunning aquamarine water and the Great Barrier Reef.
They can be seen camping, snorkelling and cruising the coastline while visually exploring spearing barramundi. Since 2013, they have attracted 42,330,666 views.
Em Osbourne @kiss — and — release
From skydiving to kissing fish, this bikini clad blonde has attracted 10.7K Instagram followers for perhaps more than her fishing technique. She poses while scuba diving, kayaking at sunset or on the beach with fishing apparel.
Matty Richardson @matty.fishing
Fishing in the shallows for Flathead, dangling a line in freshwater waterways and showcasing catches from Mackay weighing in at half of his body fat has led this influencer to take the catch phrase gone fishing to another level. He is performing strongly on Instagram with 3335 followers.
Johnny Gaskall @Johnny_gaskall
This Marine Biologist is stealing the limelight when it comes to aquaculture. He may not be catching an audience via bait and tackle but has a passion for preservation. Johnny is the central protagonist with 23.7K followers when it comes to reefs, coral nurseries, underwater photography and videography. He is the content creator for Queensland Tourism and Master Reef Guides. Johnny is supporting his audience to gain a deeper understanding of the coral condition and has even co-ordinated a number of local reef recovery initiatives. His stunning images range from sea turtles to Hammerhead sharks. Boats, freediving, sea jellies and circumnavigating rainforests along with tropical islands are all hot topics when there is nothing fishy going on.
Zachary Schmidt @reeflagoon
Spearfishing Red Emperors, gutting and filleting fish plus hosting a crayfish catching lesson are just some of the draw cards this social media influencer uses to hook his 110K followers. To keep them engaged, the video creator shows brevity while he hunts for his next catch. The influencer born in Bali claims he used to work at McDonalds and now he does this. He’s become an underwater natural as a result.
barnesyfishing_
Townsville fisherman Barnesy Fishing has scored more than 6000 followers and 53,000 likes on his array of fishing videos. From catching mud crabs to finding monster barramundi in drains to cutting a line or putting a hook on you’ll go away more knowledgeable than when you began.
Mark Berg @markberg.fishing.addiction
There‘s nothing like reeling in a beautiful Coronation Trout according to Mark Berg. The recreational fisherman proudly showcases his diverse catches some with striking colouration and others with a fighting spirit pegging many as prize catches for anglers. You can tune into his fishing pursuits from wild brown Trout in Tasmania’s remote rivers to Monster Snapper on the Sunshine Coast without viewers feeling an ounce of boredom with his hilarious fishing failure attempts. He has produced a podcast, features prize giveaways and competitions on his site for members and is an expert when it comes to the seafood scene.
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