I suggest contacting the Mooloolabah Marina (1). I’ve never taken a fishing charter out of the Maroochy River but do know they offer day fishing trips to the reefs off Point Cartwright. Keep in mind most charters do not cater for wheelchairs, so you have to cater to them or you will limit your options drastically. Most charter fishing operations don’t have a problem taking wheelchair users, as long as they don’t need assistance. Best if you can get a few friends to go that can lift you and your wheelchair onboard. Understanding this, I have found the Noosa Marina (2) accepting and very helpful in the past.

One of my favourite ways to fish is from a houseboat. Again if you get a few mates to go, the cost is reasonable. Houseboats give greater freedom onboard in powerchairs, longer time – days or weeks, and you can fish, crab, prawn net, sleep, drive around yourself etc. I’ve been up the Noosa River and lake systems from the Noosa Marina (2) several times on houseboats with my family and it’s always a tonne of fun.

Bribie Island Boat Hire (3) has B.B.Q boats for hire half day and full day. These are a flat pontoon with railing around the outside, bench seats, gas bbq in one corner, enclosed toilet the other, all covered with full shade canopy. No boat license required with a center console steering wheel even I can drive. I use these quite a bit as I cannot cast but drop my line over and let the current drag it out. You can fish a good stretch of the Bribie Passage from the bridge to Tripcony Beacon at Donnybrook. Tell Brendon (the owner) I sent you for a discount.

The old Combie Trader ran disability fishing days out of Scarborough, Redcliffe. $10.00pp to board, they ferry cars over to Moreton Island, drop them off, back up and anchor, let you fish for a few hours, load up with cars again and return. They supply lines and tackle. It’s been a few years since I spoke to the guys running this however, worth looking into. — scratch that. I now see the Combie Trader was sold — There are other fishing charters that run out of Scarborough Harbour, this one (4) with a big rear deck could be great for power wheelchairs.

You’re the O.T. Annabelle but if I may, I suggest starting off small. Get him a rod, modify it, then take him to a quiet jetty or pier where he can experiment. Contact your local Lions or Rotary club, TADQ (5) and RAD — Recreational Association for the Disabled — Wurtulla (6). They may be aware of, or will offer to, assist in fishing rod modification and recreational fishing activities. I’ll keep my eye out Annabelle. I love to be on the water. Let me know what you come up with.

(1) http://www.mooloolabamarina.com.au
(2) http://www.noosamarina.com.au
(3) http://www.bribieboats.com.au
(4) http://www.moretonislandfishingcharters.com.au
(5) http://www.tadaustralia.org.au
(6) http://www.sportandleisure.com.au

I am an Occupational Therapist working in Brisbane Australia. I have a client with C5 quadriplegia who is really keen to return to fishing. I was wondering where you are based? My client lives at the Sunshine Coast. Do you know of any fishing support services in this area?

Kind Regards

Annabelle