Captain
Mark Ratchford

Member since September 2015 Melbourne, Australia

Background: Captain Mark has been involved in the fishing industry for over 20 years. He is the only person to have fished the whole Australian coast in one trip – this was a 5-month epic journey catching more species then he can remember. He has stories about catching fish from every state in Australia that he is happy to share with you. He is an able fisherman and skipper who can put his clients on Squid or offshore species such as Mako Shark and Bluefin Tuna. Mark and his friendly staff will be more than happy to accommodate you.

Hey, I'm Captain Mark Ratchford

Melbourne, Australia

Background: Captain Mark has been involved in the fishing industry for over 20 years. He is the only person to have fished the whole Australian coast in one trip – this was a 5-month epic journey catching more species then he can remember. He has stories about catching fish from every state in Australia that he is happy to share with you. He is an able fisherman and skipper who can put his clients on Squid or offshore species such as Mako Shark and Bluefin Tuna. Mark and his friendly staff will be more than happy to accommodate you.

147

Reviews

Fishing Reports

My Charter Listings

The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

4.7 / 5

(129 reviews)

4.7 / 5

(129 reviews)

Melbourne • 28 ft • 8 persons

Trips from US $124

The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda

5.0 / 5

(16 reviews)

5.0 / 5

(16 reviews)

Melbourne • 28 ft • 8 persons

Trips from US $1,301

The Reel Thing Charters – Private Tuna Trips

5.0 / 5

(1 review)

5.0 / 5

(1 review)

Melbourne • 28 ft • 6 persons

Trips from US $1,380

Fishing Reports

FISH FEVER.

Nov 13, 2022 Melbourne

We only had a short break in Melbourne's unpredictable weather but it was enough to get out on the water to try our luck with the Snapper, we caught Snapper on every trip with only one trip getting a small catch, every other trip seen good numbers of fish come aboard. The children led the way with some great catches.

Another great day on the water

Nov 30, 2021 Melbourne

We love it when a family is aboard and all catch a nice snapper, the fish were a little fickle but some hard work paid off.

Xmas Lunch Served

Nov 27, 2021 Melbourne

WOW! The weekend has seen more action than the past month, everyone was going home with fish for breakfast lunch and dinner. We love to see you all catch fish, don't leave your trip until later, get onboard now while the fish are hungry.

Kids catching big Snapper

Nov 24, 2021 Melbourne

On the afternoon charter yesterday the kids braved some rough weather with their parents to catch some big snapper out from Carrum, Great effort guys.

Crazy Snapper fishing. Great to see a fa

Nov 23, 2021 Melbourne

This trip was from our Carrum departure.

Snapper for Dinner

Dec 9, 2020 Melbourne

Fishing out from Carrum this week and the Snapper have been in good numbers and many are good size fish ranging from 1kg up to 7kg. Most customers taking home a good feed.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.7 / 5

out of 5 stars from 147 reviews

See details

Boat

4.7 / 5

Crew

4.8 / 5

Experience

4.7 / 5

Photos & videos by reviewers (79)

+76

Anglers claimed

Good experience
	88%
Friendly captain
	99%
Recommend this charter
	88%
Appropriate for children
	93%
Satisfied with the boat
	97%
Caught fish
	80%

Appropriate for children
	93%
Satisfied with the boat
	97%
Caught fish
	80%

Sort by:

Sort by: Featured

Showing:

5 of 147 reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 147 reviews

Filippo V.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED Trip was supposed to happen on March 9, 2024

Filippo V.

Mar 9, 2024

The captain canceled

VERIFIED

The charter operation canceled 56 days after the trip date.

Mark review as helpful

Allen W.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

A wonderful experience, brilliant catches! Highly recommended!

VERIFIED 5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM) on December 5, 2023

Allen W.

5.0 / 5

Dec 5, 2023

5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM)

A wonderful experience, brilliant catches! Highly recommended!

VERIFIED

A wonderful experience, brilliant catches! Highly recommend “The Reel Thing Charters”, a family business - Sharon, Mark and Brandon were extremely down to earth, passionate and very humble. Mark, in particular, is full of wisdom and knowledge, and was very patient towards us new-beginners when it came to how to fish and reel in.

A wonderful experience, brilliant catches! Highly recommend “The Reel Thing Charters”, a family business - Sharon, Mark...

Allen W. recommends The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

Mark review as helpful

Mark Ratchford (The Captain)

Replied on December 6, 2023

It was a pleasure having you and your family on board. Families like yours give us the joy to keep chartering.

Mark Ratchford (The Captain)

Replied on December 6, 2023

It was a pleasure having you and your family on board. Families like yours give us the joy to keep chartering.

Captain replied

Kieren M.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Worth the trip

VERIFIED 5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM) on January 26, 2024

Kieren M.

5.0 / 5

Jan 26, 2024

5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM)

Worth the trip

VERIFIED

Was not the best conditions to go out for a fish but mark still made sure we caught something, and had a great day. can’t always expect to get a massive catch with fishing otherwise they would call it catching. He was very friendly and took us to a few nice spots, would definitely go on another trip with mark

Was not the best conditions to go out for a fish but mark still made sure we caught something, and had a great day. can’t...

Kieren M. recommends The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

Mark review as helpful

Andrew H.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Great family day on the water

VERIFIED 5 Hour Trip – Shared (PM) on March 16, 2024

Andrew H.

5.0 / 5

Mar 16, 2024

5 Hour Trip – Shared (PM)

Great family day on the water

VERIFIED

Lovely 5 hour trip with Mark and Joel. Very good with our two children aged 9 and 11 and a good result on the fishing front. Reasonably priced, good communication, safe and worked hard to get us on the fish. Thanks

Lovely 5 hour trip with Mark and Joel. Very good with our two children aged 9 and 11 and a good result on the fishing front....

Andrew H. recommends The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

Mark review as helpful

George M.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Fishing with Mark

VERIFIED 5 Hour Trip – Private (10AM) on January 16, 2024

George M.

5.0 / 5

Jan 16, 2024

5 Hour Trip – Private (10AM)

Fishing with Mark

VERIFIED

One of the best experiences I’ve ever had with my boys. And captain Mark was one of the best guides and captain anybody could ever ask for. He really knows all his stuff.

One of the best experiences I’ve ever had with my boys. And captain Mark was one of the best guides and captain anybody...

George M. recommends The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

Mark review as helpful

Mark Ratchford (The Captain)

Replied on January 16, 2024

Thanks George, It was a pleasure to have you and the boys on board. You may have a young captain on your hands in the future.😉

Mark Ratchford (The Captain)

Replied on January 16, 2024

Thanks George, It was a pleasure to have you and the boys on board. You may have a young captain on your hands in the future.😉

Captain replied

...

Settings

5 stars		113
4 stars		16
3 stars		4
2 stars		2
1 star		1

Email Address

Phone Number

Captain
Mark Ratchford

Hey, I'm Captain Mark Ratchford

My Charter Listings

The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda

The Reel Thing Charters – Private Tuna Trips

Fishing Reports

Fishing Reports

Customer reviews

The captain canceled

The captain canceled

A wonderful experience, brilliant catches! Highly recommended!

A wonderful experience, brilliant catches! Highly recommended!

Worth the trip

Worth the trip

Great family day on the water

Great family day on the water

Fishing with Mark

Fishing with Mark

About FishingBooker

Discover

Support