Well-known charter boat game fisherman Ross Hunter, who was The Leader’s fishing columnist for many years, has died aged 73.
Mr Hunter was known to many through his game fishing charter business which he operated out of Sydney and Port Stephens.
His knowledge, skill and enthusiasm for fishing attracted many high-profile people to his charter business over the years including cricketers Alan Border and Merv Hughes, league legend Andrew Ettinghausen and entertainers Coldplay, Metallica and the Olsen Twins.
He was born in Marrickville and grew-up in Kingsgrove and raised his family in Peakhurst Heights, before eventually moving to Cronulla.
Mr Hunter started as a boat builder at Moorebank and designed and built the Broadbill, a twin hull aluminium catamaran and the Billfisher, a fibreglass monohull which won the Modern Fishing magazine’s Boat of the Year award.
After selling the boat building business he started his successful charter boat business which he ran for many years.
Mr Hunter was a founding member of the St George Sports Fishing Club and was a member of the St George Motor Boat Club and a life member of the Port Hacking Game Fishing Club.
He was instrumental in starting the tag and release fishing system in NSW and Australia and in introducing fishing bag limits.
He also worked with NSW Fisheries in collecting data for research.
Mr Hunter was writing a book, A Lifetime in Fishing and released two CDs of his own music.
Mr Hunter worked with his son, Glenn, also a boat builder.
“Dad lived a good life with his boat building and game fishing,” Glenn said.
“He was always upbeat and lived life to the fullest and always loved what he was doing.
“He always followed his heart in what he wanted to do.”
“He was very committed to his friends and was very social. And he was very artistic with his music and being close to nature.”
Mr Hunter passed away on November 28 after a long illness.
He is survived by his wife Judy, his children Glenn, Marty, Natalie and Ian and their families including nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
His funeral service will be held tomorrow at the South Chapel, Woronora Memorial Park at 1pm.
