Background
Guided Fishing DownUnder is a niche family operated business managed by Nathan Johnston who is a Rockhampton local, experienced guide and aquatic resource scientist. Target species include wild saltwater barramundi and king threadfin inhabiting the Fitzroy River and its massive delta area in Central Queensland. A small number of clients also seek out Guided Fishing DownUnder to target Southern Saratoga, inhabiting the western freshwater catchments of the Fitzroy during the dry season. Guided Fishing DownUnder currently operates charters with Delta Scout, a 2024 model 6.2m custom plate vessel, Infocus II, a 5.5m plate TABS Wildfisher and Coxswain 3, a 2023 4.5m custom plate vessel.
In August 2025, two Rockhampton locals, Louis Moore and Thomas Hooper, joined the Guided Fishing DownUnder team as casual fishing guides and have both done a tremendous job creating fishing memories for our guests. Each guide has completed around 100 days of guiding in the last year.
With the recent addition of the third vessel along with Thomas reducing his guiding efforts in 2027 to focus on other opportunities, there is an opening for one or two additional local experienced barra and king threadfin anglers to express interest in joining the Guided Fishing DownUnder team as casual fishing guides commencing barra open season 2027, if not before.
Successful guides will work with Nathan, Louis and Tom to provide charters on our three vessels. The right person would be expected to command the trust and respect of paying guests, while being able to work as team. The right person will be provided assistance and mentoring as required to support delivering consistent catches for guests, particularly in the first few months on the job. Anticipated start date will be barra open season 2027, if not earlier. Securing the right person for the job is critical and the opportunity will remain open until the right person is found.
The position of casual guide should be viewed as a lifestyle job, for a hard worker that has other forms of employment or is financially stable outside of this employment. Pay is per casual non-overnight coxswain under the Marine Vessel and Charter Tourism Award.
For someone that requires other work to supplement this casual fishing guide position, there may be opportunity for complimentary casual work in hospitality or grounds services with another prospective employer also willing to provide flexible work arrangements for the right person.
It is expected that you already have some other form of income/work or that you will take on the supplementary work with the employer mentioned above. There will be a fair level of flexibility to cater for balancing competing work commitments, noting that you must be able to commit to blocks of guiding work months in advance when we secure bookings. Generally we book in charters several days either side of the neap tides, with full and new moons spent off the water. Also we find work is slower during closed season and the winter months of June and July. We also receive last minute charter requests. While it is hoped that you can take on some of these last minute charters, this is not as critical as committing to the long term advance bookings for people travelling interstate and overseas to visit the Fitzroy. It is hoped that you will assist in us taking on most opportunities that come our way into the future with a pool of 3-5 guides to draw upon and three vessels available for charters.
The right person needs to be a hardworking team player with a positive personality and who has the perfect balance of fishing expertise and exceptional people skills. The right person also needs to be someone of integrity, willing to uphold Queensland fisheries rules and regulations and operate safely and responsibly under the AMSA framework. For example, if you are someone who has fished within the 400m zone of the Fitzroy River barrage or think that this is acceptable behaviour then you are not welcome to apply – you are not the right fit for our team.
How to Express Interest
Simply fill out and submit the expression of interest form below! While many people like the idea of fishing for a job, this is not for everyone! An Expression of Interest checklist and form has been developed to help determine suitability for this role and provide an indication of what is expected. To determine suitability please complete this checklist by ticking the items relevant to you. If 95% of items are not checked off, then this probably isn’t the right job for you. If you can tick off most of these items, then please feel free to submit an expression of interest form. Completing this form represents the first step in the process. Once submitted, a phone conversation may be arranged as the next step to further discuss the opportunity. Possessing a minimum Coxswain Grade 3 before your first charter, possessing a manual drivers licence and confirming your commitment to zero drug and alcohol levels in the workplace are mandatory requirements for this job. Learn more about securing a Coxswain Grade 3 at: https://www.amsa.gov.au/qualifications-training/domestic-qualifications/coxswain-grade-3-near-coastal The right individual will be considered if they don’t currently have this marine qualification but meet almost all of the other requirements and can secure a Coxswain Grade 3 before starting employment. Expressions of Interest close Monday 31st August 2026, but will remain open if the right person is not scured at this point in time.