‘Gone too soon’: NQ fishing legend Marty Price dies aged 50

Respected fisherman and NQ Fishing Show host, Marty Price, has died ‘fifty years too young’ after a seven-month health battle.

Marty Price was a respected Townsville fisherman and long-time host on The NQ Fishing Show.

Respected fisherman and NQ Fishing Show host, Marty Price, has died after a seven-month health battle.

Gary Powis hosted the radio show every Saturday with Marty for 15 years and said the loss was enormous.

“The shows been going 29 years, and I was there for nearly all of that, but Marty came along 15 years ago and it was the best 15 years I think,” Mr Powis said.

“We gelled so well. He was an incredible bloke.”

Marty’s health took a serious turn in December, when he was suddenly hospitalised with two infections – one Strep B and another in his bones which had gone septic – and caught pneumonia as well as he battled to get out of intensive care.

Marty Price was a respected Townsville fisherman and long-time host on The NQ Fishing Show.

The Townsville fisherman was able to battle it and was out fishing again by March, but in June a heart attack hospitalised him again.

Marty died from complications caused by the heart attack two weeks later.

He leaves behind a loving wife and two children.

“It has been tough,” Mr Powis said of the loss.

“Fifty years is too young.”

Marty Price and Gary Powis hosted the NQ Fishing Show together for 15 years.

Marty dedicated a lot of his life to fishing – when he was 15-years-old he started working at Lounds Tackle Shop in Townsville and has been on the hook with the lifestyle ever since.

“Be active, be passionate, be positive … grow the sport,” Marty said in 2020.

Marty was so keen on fishing he ended up in the Townsville Bulletin in 2020 when he and his daughter snagged a huge pair of barra in the creek beside the Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

2020: Martin Price with a good sized barramundi outside Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Marty told the Townsville Bulletin he’d fished the spot for years with soft plastic lures and the ecosystem was unchanged by the construction of the stadium, and we was able to catch multiple fish as the tide switched.

The NQ Fishing Show will be going on an indefinite break as they absorb the loss of Marty, who was a key contributor to the show.

Back in January 2024, Marty himself wrote about his love for the radio program.

Marty Price as a teenager, when he was working at Lounds Tackle Shop.

“My first show back for the year and it was a cracker again,” Marty said in early 2024.

“This year is my 14th year going live to air every Saturday morning for The NQ Fishing Show on Radio 4K1G with my incredible mate Gaz, wouldn’t change it for the world. The perks are great and the people we meet are fabulous. Our listening audience is now massive and our podcasts have reached 55+ countries, we will take that.”

Fellow fisherman Ren Pedersen said he was going to “flick a lure” in Marty’s honour.

“I just found out, probably half an hour ago, that a good mate of mine just died. I went to his 50th birthday very recently,” Mr Pedersen said.

“This one is for you Marty.”

Marty Price was a respected Townsville fisherman and long-time host on The NQ Fishing Show.

When the news broke, an outpouring of shock and condolences flooded across all areas Marty Price had touched – not just fishing, but also his beloved Liverpool FC.

Alfonso Fusco from the NQ Liverpool Supporters Club spoke about his fellow mad fan.

“Thankyou for your infectious smile and sharing so many wonderful early mornings watching our Reds,” Mr Fusco said.

“You will be forever missed and never forgotten my friend.”

Lucinda Fishing Lodge said it was unbelievable only a month ago Marty was up in the Hinchinbrook fishing.

“Hope the Barra are thick where you are mate,” the lodge wrote.

Cecil Madigan expressed their condolences to the family.

“Way too early for too nice of a bloke. The fishing community will never be the same.” Sam Gold described Marty as “one of the best blokes I know”.

Matt Blackshaw

I was only listening to your podcast today and hoping to hear his voice again soon. My deepest condolences to his family and his friends

Ray Lowth

My god we will miss you mate

Ciaron Paterson

R.I. P Marty Price the man upstairs is definitely getting one hell of a legend of a man and husband / father. Your smile, your shenanigans, your love for life and adventure will dearly be missed by many mates. Tight lines up there mate may your reel never stop screaming

Carol-Ann Williams

I am truly stunned and have no words, forever the fisherman our Marty

Condolences to you Gary losing a great friend and to Bec, Billy, and Jake, Marty always spoke so highly of his family to me and how much he loved you all my heart goes out to you

RIP my friend

Philip Jensen

Absolutely gutted. RIP Marty. Gonna miss you talking about barra on the podcast, always was my favourite part. Was just listening to an old podcast on the way to work earlier just to get me through the drive. Condolences to the family, friends the fishing community close to him

Greg Wright

Rest in peace Marty Price … you are an inspiration as a person …. you gave me so many lessons outside of fishing … you were an unexpected life long friend that I will ALWAYS be remembered …. to the Townsville community we lost a great individual here.

Originally published as ‘Gone too soon’: NQ fishing legend Marty Price dies aged 50