A young man has given a lonely widower the trip of a lifetime after responding to his Gumtree ad search for a fishing buddy to replace his friend who died.

Mati Batsinilas, from Brisbane, saw Ray Johnstone's heartbreaking viral ad shared on Facebook and quickly got in touch, offering to take the 75-year-old fishing at Moreton Bay in Queensland.

Mr Batsinilas stuck to his word and on Monday the pair managed to reel in a number of massive whiting at Stradbroke Island after Mr Johnstone flew from Adelaide for the week.

The fast friends snapped multiple selfies and Mr Johnstone was pictured beaming as they boarded the boat and set sail.

A lonely widower has had his dream fulfilled by a young man after he posted an ad to Gumtree in search of a fishing buddy

Mati Batsinilas, from Brisbane, saw Ray Johnstone's heartbreaking viral ad shared on Facebook and quickly got in touch, offering to take the 75-year-old fishing at Stradbroke Island (pictured)

The fishing buddies have already organised a second outing, with Mr Batsinilas hoping to take Mr Johnstone four-wheel-driving to catch beachworms on Wednesday, The ABC reported.

Mr Johnstone was flown to Brisbane for the all-expenses-paid fishing expedition and will return home to Adelaide later in the week.

'I offered him a holiday away — and not just for fishing, but to get away and relax,' Mr Batsinilas said.

'I said from the beginning to Ray that we would get there and that I would commit to it and do it.'

Mr Batsinilas said the weather was perfect for their outing and said it was incredible to see the elderly man smile.

On Tuesday, the 22-year-old angler posted a photo of himself, Mr Johnstone and his entire family and thanked the public for the 'kind words'.

'I just want to thank everyone for their kind words and remind you all that this was a family effort, not just mine,' he wrote.

Elderly widower Ray Johnstone found a fishing buddy to replace a deceased friend after his heartbreaking Gumtree ad went viral

He posted on the online classifieds site last week seeking a fellow lonely angler to enjoy regular days out in waters around Adelaide

On Tuesday, the 22-year-old angler posted a photo of himself, Mr Johnstone and his entire family and thanked the public for the 'kind words'

The former toolmaker and quality control officer said he usually went fishing from land and had all the gear, but was happy to head out on the water

Mr Johnstone posted on the online classifieds site last week seeking a fellow lonely angler.

'What I want is a fishing mate in a similar position to myself who also wants someone to go fishing with,' he wrote.

The former toolmaker and quality control officer said he usually went fishing from land and had all the gear, but was happy to head out on the water.

He even offered to pay all the ramp fees if his new mate had a boat, in addition to splitting petrol, bait and other costs.

Mr Johnstone's ad, including a photo of himself and picturesque shots of his favourite fishing spots, was viewed more than 15,000 times.

The great-grandfather of nine left his contact details so potential buddies could organise to meet up and 'see if we could get along with each other'.

The great-grandfather left his contact details so potential buddies could organise to meet up and 'see if we could get along with each other'

Mr Johnstone's ad, including a photo of himself and picturesque shots of his favourite fishing spots, was viewed more than 15,000 times