The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda 

5.0/5 (19 reviews)
 St Kilda Marina, Melbourne, VI 3182, Australia

The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda 

Melbourne, VI, Australia
28 ft
8
5.0/5 (19 reviews)

It's time to have the adventure of a lifetime and join The Reel Thing Charters for an awesome trip out on the water. Captain Mark Ratchford has decades of experience and is the only captain to have fished the entire Australian coast in a 5-month journey. You know you'll be in capable hands with him.

Step on board his 28' Axium, recently restored in 2018, which is ready and raring to go. This great vessel can comfortably fit groups of 8 people. Whether you are celebrating one of life's milestones, having a big family vacation, or a work team building, this is the perfect boat for you.

With twin 175 HP Mercury engines on board and full navigational equipment, you are sure to be on the fish before you know it. The fishfinder, paired with Capt. Mark's extensive knowledge of the area, will give you the best chance to catch your dream fish.

Species available are huge and include Australian Salmon, Snapper, Flathead, Snoek, Rock Cod, and Gummy Sharks. Whether this is your first fishing trip or your hundredth, you are sure to have a blast during your trip.

You'll have the opportunity to try a variety of techniques – let the captain know what you would like to do, and, depending on the season and which species you wish to target, he'll advise accordingly.

Children are welcome on board – they are sure to have some incredible stories after the trip to tell all their friends back at school.

Included in the price are all rods and reels that you'll need for the trip. You are welcome to bring along your own refreshments on the day. Alcohol is allowed in moderation but strictly no hard spirits or glass bottles.

Contact the captain for trip policies. Notify in advance if you have a medical condition. Note that the departure time and place depend on the weather and they can be changed.

There is no better time to book – join the crew of The Reel Thing Charters on the water today for an unforgettable fishing trip.

It's time to have the adventure of a lifetime and join The Reel Thing Charters for an awesome trip out on the water. Captain Mark Ratchford has decades of experience and is the only captain to have fished the entire Australian coast in a 5-month journey. You know you'll be in capable hands with him.

Step on board his 28' Axium, recently restored in 2018, which is ready and raring to go. This great vessel can comfortably fit groups of 8 people. Whether you are celebrating one of life's milestones, having a big family vacation, or a work team building, this is the perfect boat for you.

With twin 175 HP Mercury engines on board and full navigational equipment, you are sure to be on the fish before you know it. The fishfinder, paired with Capt. Mark's extensive knowledge of the area, will give you the best chance to catch your dream fish.

Species available are huge and include Australian Salmon, Snapper, Flathead, Snoek, Rock Cod, and Gummy Sharks. Whether this is your first fishing trip or your hundredth, you are sure to have a blast during your trip.

You'll have the opportunity to try a variety of techniques – let the captain know what you would like to do, and, depending on the season and which species you wish to target, he'll advise accordingly.

Children are welcome on board – they are sure to have some incredible stories after the trip to tell all their friends back at school.

Included in the price are all rods and reels that you'll need for the trip. You are welcome to bring along your own refreshments on the day. Alcohol is allowed in moderation but strictly no hard spirits or glass bottles.

Contact the captain for trip policies. Notify in advance if you have a medical condition. Note that the departure time and place depend on the weather and they can be changed.

There is no better time to book – join the crew of The Reel Thing Charters on the water today for an unforgettable fishing trip.

Mark Ratchford
Captain
Mark Ratchford
27 years of experience
ID & credentials verified

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Group Size:
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July 2026
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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Half Day Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
US $1,390
Entire boat: up to 8 people
Half Day Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 3:00 PM
US $1,390
Entire boat: up to 8 people
There are 5 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

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Rating

5.0
19 reviews
4.9
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (18)

All reviews (19)

Frequently mentioned
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Showing 15 of 19 reviews
Muhua Shi
Muhua Shi
au
Australia
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Great Captain
Half Day Trip (AM) on February 17, 20262 adults1 child

This was the first time for my wife, my 6-year-old daughter, and me to go sea fishing. Captain Mark was very friendly and professional. Thank you for taking such good care of us out at sea.

Reported catch:
Pink Snapper
Aayden Mcinneny
Aayden Mcinneny
au
Australia
Member since 2023
5.0
Verified
Looked after like royalty
Half Day Trip (AM) on February 25, 20236 adults

The crew went beyond to make sure fish were caught, and that everyone got a chance to experience what we were after. Easy people to get along with and took the extra step to get us to places where they knew we would be getting bites. We will definitely be going with this team again when it's time for our next charter. Well done boys!

Reported catch:
Pink Snapper
King George Whiting
Mark Ratchford
Response from Captain

Hi Aayden , thanks for your positive feedback

Chris Duncan
Chris Duncan
au
Australia
Member since 2024
5.0
Verified
December fishing trip
Half Day Trip (PM) on December 28, 20244 adults2 children

Reported catch:
Australian Salmon
Pink Snapper
Flathead
Gary Wong
Gary Wong
au
Australia
Member since 2024
5.0
Verified
Fishing with Mark
Half Day Trip (PM) on March 16, 20246 adults

Reported catch:
Pink Snapper
Zac Limbourne
Zac Limbourne
Repeat angler
au
Australia
Member since 2021
2 trips
5.0
Verified
Half day trip with mark and Shaun
Half Day Trip (PM) on December 4, 20214 adults

Had a great day fishing captain mark and Shaun they were great company and happy to help with anything. Always moving to keep us on the fish which was good to see and overall just a couple of all round decent good blokes. Great day for our end of year work breakup. Thanks again fellas

FAQs about The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda

The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda offers the following trips to customers:
  • AU $1,990 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (5 hours)
  • AU $1,990 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (5 hours)
When you book a trip with The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Porta potty in cabin with curtain'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
  • GPS Garmin & Lowrance
  • Fishfinder Garmin & Lowrance
  • Ice box
  • Radio
  • Sonar Garmin
Trips booked with The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • First mate
The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore fishing (Port Phillip Bay, Victoria)
  • Nearshore fishing (Port Phillip Bay, Victoria)
The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Drift fishing
  • Handline
  • Deep sea fishing
Top targeted fish species with The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda include:
  • Cod (Breaksea)
  • Flathead
  • King George Whiting
  • Salmon (Australian)
  • Shark (Gummy)
  • Snapper (Pink)
  • Snoek

Your captain

Mark Ratchford
Mark Ratchford
Mark Ratchford

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

14 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
186 Customer reviews
Typical response within 6 hours
Member since September 2015

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.

14 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
186 Customer reviews
Typical response within 6 hours
Member since September 2015

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.

The fish you can target

Breaksea Cod
Breaksea Cod
Flathead
Flathead
King George Whiting
King George Whiting
Australian Salmon
Australian Salmon
Gummy Shark
Gummy Shark
Pink Snapper
Pink Snapper
Snoek
Snoek
Breaksea Cod
Breaksea Cod
Flathead
Flathead
King George Whiting
King George Whiting
Australian Salmon
Australian Salmon
Gummy Shark
Gummy Shark

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Cabin cruisers
Capacity
8 persons
Boat length
28 ft
Year built
1995
Restored in
2018
Boat manufacturer
Axium
Boat type
Pilothouse
Engine model
Mercury
Powered by
2 x 175HP
Max cruising speed
28 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Nearshore Fishing
Port Phillip Bay, Victoria

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Jigging
Popping
Drift Fishing
Handline
Deep Sea Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Porta potty in cabin with curtain'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
GPS
Garmin & Lowrance
Fishfinder
Garmin & Lowrance
Ice box
Radio
Sonar
Garmin

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
First mate

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included

Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.

Child friendly
No smoking
Allowed only in specified area
You keep catch
Catch and release allowed
Disabled accessible

How you can pay

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

 Cash

 Visa

 Mastercard

 Bank transfer

When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 2.5% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Melbourne right now

FlatheadFlathead
King George WhitingKing George Whiting
Shark (Gummy)Shark (Gummy)
Snapper (Pink)Snapper (Pink)

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