THE search for a Gold Coast fisherman, missing at sea without a life jacket for four days, will be scaled back over the weekend.

Hope is fading for Gavin Studwell, 39, whose homemade boat capsized about two kilometres off Surfers Paradise on Tuesday night.

Mr Studwell and work colleague Kandice Tommy, 29, were tossed into the ocean when two freak waves flipped his boat, which sank before they could salvage life jackets.



After managing to stay together for about two hours they eventually became separated.



Ms Tommy made it to land after swimming for at least three hours, guided by a light on a Surfers Paradise high-rise building until it was turned off around midnight.



Today's search involving helicopters, jet skis, boats and SES volunteers was extended to Jumpinpin Bar and up to 4.5 nautical miles (8.3km) out to sea but again proved fruitless.



The search, which is due to resume at first light tomorrow, will be gradually scaled back over the weekend.