About Me

Most guides look for fish. I want to know why they're there and when they'll bite.

I grew up on the water. From remote, wild Australian fishing trips as a kid to my first solo boat trips at age 8, it's never really let me go. What began as an obsession became a profession, built on more than 20 years of studying, living, and observing fish behaviour, on and under the water.

Over the last 10 years I've worked as a professional guide in Australia and around the world, fishing big game, reef, freshwater, estuaries, flats, and spearfishing, throughout Australia, the Pacific, and Central America.

I get a lot more thrill watching you land it than catching it myself.

I've guided everyone from outback farmers to high-net-worth businessmen, ages 9 to 90, across every skill level and every type of water, and I treat every trip the same way: full focus, genuine care, and complete confidentiality. I hold a National Unrestricted Master's Licence and an AMSA Coxswain Grade 1 commercial ticket. I'm available for private placement, vessel crew roles, turnkey asset management, and lodge or operator engagements worldwide.

On-water roles

My Experience

Weipa Sportfishing / Cape York, Australia / 2023 – Current — Guide (Contractor)

Guide

I contract to Weipa Sportfishing, skippering the tender vessel that runs off their mothership operation. Duties include managing the vessel's entire fishing program end-to-end: (engine and electronics servicing), gear and tackle management, boat maintenance and safety, trip planning, guest comforts/provisions, and on-water execution, so the guests don't have to lift a finger.

The Sheriff · Keep R · Viking II · Peak Sportfishing / Great Barrier Reef & WA / Various

Game Fishing Crew

Crewed alongside experienced game fishing captains aboard multiple premier vessels across the Great Barrier Reef and Western Australia. Offshore big game operations, deck work, and on-water experience alongside some of the best in the industry.

Mexican Caribbean / 2019

Private Guide

Private spearfishing guide for a high-net-worth client in the Mexican Caribbean. Also guided fishing, spearfishing and snorkelling charters across multiple tourism operations in the region.

Fishing & Spearfishing — Belize / 2019

Guide

Guided fishing and spearfishing charters as part of an all-in-one tourism operation in Belize. Exposure to world-class flats, reef, and blue water fisheries.

Baja California Sur / 2019

Superyacht Crew

Deckhand and roustabout work aboard super yachts in Baja California Sur. First exposure to the extraordinary Pacific sportfishing grounds of Baja.

Booby Bird / Coral Sea, Gladstone / 2017 – 2018 Season

Guide / First Mate

First mate on a Coral Sea mothership operation. Watch duties in transit, tender deployment and operation, guest guiding and provisions, fish processing at volume — sometimes over 100 fish per day. Large crew environment, back-to-back extended 7-day+ liveaboard trips.

Ready to go

Licences & qualifications

National Unrestricted Master's Licence — QLD RMDL

Master's Licence

Government-issued master's ticket with no upper limit on vessel length, hull tonnage, or engine horsepower, for private, non-commercial vessels. Legally qualifies under both Mexican and US jurisdictions to command private assets for private owners or families.

AMSA Coxswain Grade 1 (Near Coastal)

Commercial Ticket

Commercial master qualification for vessels up to 40 ft (12 m), with unlimited outboard power or up to 670 HP (500 kW) of inboard propulsion. Covers commercial deck work, guest transport, and high-horsepower towed tender operations. US and Mexico equivalent: commercial master.

Safety Skill Set

Safety

Shipboard Safety Skill Set — STCW Basic Safety Equivalent
Personal Survival Techniques
Fire Prevention & Firefighting
Onboard Safety

Marine Radio Operator's Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP)

Radio

Unrestricted VHF and HF marine radio licence for international communications.

First Aid & CPR — HLTAID011

First Aid

Nationally recognised first aid and CPR certification, meeting both Australian and US Coast Guard standards - essential for remote and offshore trips where medical help can be hours away.

Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (UEE30811)

Electrical Trade

Fully qualified electrician. Additional qualifications: Data & Telecommunications Cabling Licence, Security Equipment Installer Licence (QLD), general Construction Induction White Card (QLD)

Blue Card — Working with Children

Compliance

Queensland Government working-with-children clearance, required for family and youth charters.

High School

Secondary Education

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Queensland, Australia, 2009

How I work

Throughout my career I've learned from some of the best fishermen, captains and guides in Australia, learning about different methods, species, rigs, tactics and ways of reading water. I'm always keen to keep learning and believe every day on the water teaches you something new.

Alongside decades of personal fishing experience, I've also formally studied fish and animal behaviour and biology, including a single course that cost over $10,000, and worked alongside marine biologists. The science informs every session, not just instinct.

Every trip is planned against real data, from current, wind, chlorophyll, temperature breaks, altimetry, bathymetry, satellite imagery, and solunar and lunar timing, all cross-checked against ongoing research, tracked fish movements, and my own fish logs built up over years. I work off what the water is actually doing today, not what it 'should' be doing, which means fewer wasted days and more consistent results for whoever I'm guiding.

Over the years I've built genuine relationships with the people I've guided, with a lot of them turning into life-long friendships and a strong personal network, people I still enjoy catching up with for a beer well outside of work. That says a lot about how I operate.

I also have a basic conversational level of Spanish, enough to get around, show respect, and hold a conversation about fishing with local captains, crews and guides. I wouldn't call myself fluent, but it's made me good friends with mutual respect.

Practised daily

Professional Toolkit

Reading the water

Ocean & Weather Data

I use current, wind, chlorophyll, temperature breaks, altimetry, bathymetry, satellite imagery, and weather forecasting to read what's happening in the water before I'm even on it.

Trip Timing

Solunar & Lunar Planning

Every trip is planned around solunar and lunar calendars to identify the best days and hours on the water for a given species. Timing is everything.

Data-backed decisions

Research & Tracking

I keep up with ongoing fishing research and forums, track fish movements, check local/global daily captures, and maintain my own fish logs built up over years on the water. My decisions are backed by my own records, and historic records along with science not just memory alone.

Daily Trip Planning

Planning & Data

I pull all of this together every day, not just for my own fix, but to plan upcoming trips too. It's what lets me plan around where the fish will actually be, not just where they were last time, meaning fewer wasted days and more consistent results for whoever I'm guiding

Trusted Contacts, Australia & Abroad

Industry Network

I'm lucky to have a lot of good friends in the industry, old and young, who I can call on anytime, including Peak Sportfishing, one of the top marlin operations on the Western Australia coast (over 800 blue, black, and sailfish billfish in a season); Hardcore Gamefishing, the top heavy-tackle black marlin operation out of Cairns (100+ big black marlin every October–December season); and Weipa Sportsfishing, Australia's premier inshore/estuary sportsfishing operation, as well as multiple commercial fishing operations. Practically, that means a second opinion, a local contact, or backup crew wherever a trip takes us — I'm never operating in isolation, even in unfamiliar waters.

Sounders · Sonar · Radar · GPS Navigation

Marine Electronics

I'm very experienced with the latest depth sounders, side-scan sounding, Livescope/Active Target sonar, radar, multiple GPS units and electric reels. Using these alongside watching the water for currents, fish, ocean changes, obstructions and local landmarks, all play an important role in navigating safely and finding the target species.

Sony A6700 · iPhone · Action Camera · Drone

Photography & Videography

I shoot photo and video on a Sony A6700, the latest iPhone, and an action camera, so clients and owners get a proper record of every trip without needing to hire a separate photographer. I fly a DJI Mini 5 Pro drone, both for spotting fish from the air and for videography, an extra set of eyes that can cover more water than a lookout on deck ever could. Complementing this I always carry my set of gyro binoculars (Fujinon TS-X 1440) which, combined with my already sharp eyesight, has let me spot birds feeding from up to 6 miles out.

Shimano · Mako · Hot Tackle Australia

Gear Support

I receive fishing gear/equipment from Shimano Australia, Mako Sunglasses, and Hot Tackle Australia. These relationships are built through direct guiding relationships and word of mouth, not social media.

Target Species

Whatever your goal is, I have most likely fished it.

If I haven't, I'll back myself to find it.

Cape York · NT River Systems · Sri Lanka · Remote Australia

Freshwater

Species include Barramundi, Saratoga, Threadfin Salmon, Jungle Perch, Murray Cod, and Golden Perch.

Great Barrier Reef · Caribbean · Belize · Coral Sea · Remote PNG

Reef & Tropical

Species include Coral Trout, Snapper, Grouper, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Giant Trevally, all Trevally species, Queenfish, and Dogtooth Tuna.

Coral Sea · Exmouth WA · Mexico · Belize · Panama · Caribbean

Big Game

Species include Black & Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin & Bluefin Tuna, Wahoo, and Dorado.

Belize · Caribbean · Far North Queensland · PNG

Flats & Fly

Species include Permit, Milkfish, Bonefish, Bastards, Tuskies, Giant Trevally, Queenfish, King Mackerel, Tuna, Snappers, Mangrove Jack, and Barramundi.

Coral Sea · Far North Queensland · PNG · Baja California

Spearfishing

Species include Wahoo, Tuna,Marlin, Dogtooth Tuna, Coral Trout, Grouper, Snappers, Hogfish, Amberjack, Mackerels, many different reef species, and lobsters/crayfish.

←Tap and drag to explore →

References

Trusted by those who know the difference.

If you want a guide who works hard, knows where to find the fish and is great company along the way, I'd have no hesitation recommending Rixy.
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- Private island, mothership and sportsfishing owner

Rixy is a fishing guide who doesn't just take you out on the water. He puts an enormous effort into making a simple day of fishing into an unforgettable experience. He has guided my group barramundi fishing from his very earliest day of professional guiding. Despite being in unfamiliar water, his angling knowledge came to the fore and he has continued to guide us on Far North Queensland waters. His expertise with helping my wife, a novice to angling with a baitcaster, was superb. I am sure it would have ended badly had I been tasked with teaching her. Whether you are an experienced angler looking to land a trophy fish or a beginner learning the ropes, I cannot recommend Rixy highly enough for guiding on any waters. With his expert instruction, top-tier gear, and a safe, welcoming nature for every skill level.

- Neil Pinto, client from Weipa Sportsfishing

We get on the Mothership Eclipse. Young Buck called Rixy on the boat, he’s gunna be our guide. Well the young fella knows his stuff. Two years in a row he put my brother and myself in the Golden patch (fish wise). One morning in a secret spot he showed us how to catch Barra on a popper, outstanding. We couldn’t do it. Rixy is an ocean man, an astute fisherman and a great teacher. His sense of humour is pure Aussie. Prompt and pumped every day, I am proud to have been in his presence. Could not recommend this man highly enough.
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- R Muelet, client from Weipa Sportsfishing

Rixy has been part of my operation at Weipa Sportsfishing for the last three years. He has been an outstanding guide, working well with a crew, as well as other guides. I trust him most with a range of very important repeat clients and always receive the most positive feedback at the end of each charter.
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- Lee, Owner of Weipa Sportsfishing

Very calculated skipper, we spent 10s of thousands of dollars on liveaboards and private trips for that dream fish and one trip out with Rixy in a small trailer boat and we both secured that fish! Thinking outside the normal on the target species and the techniques and gear used.
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-Clayton M and Tyler S

Twenty years on the water. Ready to put them to work for you.

Master's Licence

Commercial Ticket

Safety

Radio

20+ Years

10+ Years

Most guides look for fish. I want to know why they're there and when they'll bite.

My Experience

Guide

Game Fishing Crew

Private Guide

Guide

Superyacht Crew

Guide / First Mate

Licences & qualifications

Master's Licence

Commercial Ticket

Safety

Radio

First Aid

Electrical Trade

Compliance

Secondary Education

How I work

Professional Toolkit

Ocean & Weather Data

Solunar & Lunar Planning

Research & Tracking

Planning & Data

Industry Network

Marine Electronics

Photography & Videography

Gear Support

Whatever your goal is, I have most likely fished it.

Trusted by those who know the difference.

Ready to work together?