Meet Matt!
The fisherman behind the IkiPik products.
Matt caught his first fish at around four years old, thanks to a dad who was a keen fisherman himself. He has been hooked ever since.
For many years, Matt divided his time off between surfing, fishing and raising four children while working away in the mines. Eventually, surfing began taking a back seat as his passion for chasing—and learning about—different fish species grew into something much bigger than a weekend hobby.
That passion ultimately became a business and gave Matt the opportunity to stop working away, become his own boss and build a life within the fishing industry he loves.
The frustration that sparked an idea
IkiPik began because Matt couldn’t find an iki jime fish spike that did everything he believed it should.
The tools available didn’t feel comfortable enough to hold, easy enough to control or tough enough to withstand the real conditions experienced on a fishing boat.
So, Matt put pencil to paper and began developing his own.
The result was the Original IkiPik: a strong, practical fish-dispatch tool designed by someone who genuinely uses it.
Its contoured handle provides a comfortable, secure grip, while the distinctive yellow colour makes it easy to spot among the gear on a boat. It also includes a built-in bottle opener because, in Matt’s words, it would almost be a crime to go fishing without a drink in your hand.
Tested in South West waters
Matt personally tests his products in the demanding conditions off the coast of South West Western Australia.
That hands-on experience continues to shape the IkiPik range—from the Original IkiPik and complete ike jime and shinkei jime kit to tools for de-hooking, barbecuing and enjoying the catch afterwards.
These aren’t products dreamed up in a boardroom. They’re practical tools developed by a fisherman who understands what anglers genuinely need on the water.
Respecting the catch
To Matt, respecting the catch means not allowing a fish to suffer needlessly—and ensuring the best possible eating quality from every fish kept.
His background as a chef gave him an early appreciation for fresh, locally caught seafood and the difference that careful handling makes from ocean to plate.
That philosophy sits behind everything IkiPik represents:
Catch. Dispatch. Consume.
From a lifelong passion to “living the dream”
IkiPik was Matt’s first business idea, followed by South West Skeletal, where he transforms carefully prepared fish, crayfish and crab skeletons into striking works of art.
While the two businesses are different, they share the same foundation: a fascination with marine life, an appreciation for the whole fish and a genuine respect for what comes out of the ocean.
Today, Matt travels throughout Australia and New Zealand competing in and sponsoring fishing competitions, meeting tackle-store owners and connecting with people from all walks of life.
He’s continually learning more about fishing, product development and running a business in an industry he genuinely loves.