The search for a Queensland father whose fishing boat was found floating empty out at sea has been suspended, with friends calling rescue efforts “nothing short of extraordinary”.

Police announced on Monday they had called off the search for experienced Gold Coast fisherman Ash Haigh, 44, on Monday, after days of searching to no avail.

A dedicated member of the Gold Coast Game Fishing Club and former president, club members were also out in force looking for Haigh, calling rescue efforts to find their mate “extraordinary”.

“The Gold Coast Game Fish Club want to extend our support to Ash’s family right at the moment and we ask that you all hope and pray for the safe return of our mate,” the club said on Sunday.

“Rest assured that the search efforts undertaken to date are nothing short of extraordinary.”

The Hollywell local set out in his boat from the Gold Coast Seaway to fish for marlin about 6.30am on Thursday.

The black half-cabin pleasure craft failed to return that evening. Police were called, with searches of the surrounding areas and seaways, as well as attempts to make contact with the vessel over the radio, continuing into the night.

About 2am on Friday, his boat The Grey Ghost was found 25 nautical miles southeast of the seaway with no one onboard.

Rescue operations on Friday and over the weekend included a Challenger rescue plane called in from Cairns and a jet deployed from Melbourne. At least four search and rescue helicopters and eight boats were also involved in the search, covering areas as far south as Yamba in NSW.

A GoFundMe set up to support Haigh’s wife Jess and their children has raised over $37,000 since it was created only a day ago.

“Ash, a very experienced game fisher, went out on Thursday to enjoy a day on the water, with all intentions of joining his family for dinner that night,” the fundraiser read.

“Unfortunately he has not come home and has not been able to be located after an exhausting search.”

Haigh was remembered as an “incredible dad, a loving partner and just an all-round top bloke”.

“We know that everyone who has ever come in contact with him will remember his infectious laugh, great sense of humour and have so many good times to share,” the GoFundMe pitch continued.

“Losing Ash suddenly is unfathomable and we want Jess and the kids to not have the extra stress that comes with losing the main financial provider while they navigate this time.”

Police had earlier said a life jacket was missing from the boat, which held three instead of the four that should have been on board, dramatically increasing Haigh’s chance of survival had he been wearing it.

On Saturday an inactive Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) registered to Haigh was found 14 nautical miles off Ballina.

By Sunday the search and rescue operation transitioned into recovery phase, before it was suspended at last light, police said.

“Police have used both aerial and marine assets to search more than 1800sqnm from the Gold Coast seaway to Yamba across four days, however no further items or signs of life have been located,” they said.

“Officers continue to be in contact with the man’s family who have been advised of this update.”

Investigators will continue to work out whether Haigh fell overboard or was pulled overboard by a marlin which can weigh 200kg.

“Police continue to appeal to anyone with information regarding the man’s location or welfare to come forward,” they said.