The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum 

4.7/5 (163 reviews)
 Launching Way, Melbourne, VI 3197, Australia

The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum 

4.7/5 (163 reviews)
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Launching Way
Melbourne, VI, Australia

The Reel Thing Charters Departs from various locations, weather, tides or fish species we are chasing may vary the departure point, we will notify you of this the night before departure. These private charters are great for family get-togethers or perfect for work breakup parties, and team building, this boat can take up to 10 people fishing at a time! If you’re looking for a corporate Christmas party, this is the boat for you. Skipper Mark Ratchford has been in the commercial fishing industry for over 20 years, so he knows how to put you on the fish.

The boat you will be fishing aboard is a 28’ Axium tri-hull. It is powered by twin Mercury engines and equipped with Furuno and Lowrance electronics. It features a large deck space and a live bait tank, as well as a porta-potty. Trips include the use of all fishing equipment, lures, and bait.

They depart from Carrum, Hastings or Mornington Melbourne. Skipper Mark and his deckhand will take you fishing for a variety of species, with regular catches of Snapper, Flathead, Pinkie, Snook, Salmon, Rockcod, and Gummy Shark.

The crew is friendly, experienced, and professional, they love taking new guests and families out and teaching them the best techniques needed to catch the prized fish species. They offer trips suited to both large and mixed groups and can accommodate your needs whether you are looking for one spot or trips for large groups.

Contact the skipper for trip policies. You should notify him in advance if you have a medical condition. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, but no glass or hard spirits. Note that the departure time and place depend on the weather and they can be changed.

Join The Reel Thing Charters and explore the prolific Australian!

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Rating

4.7
163 reviews
5
126
4
19
3
4
2
2
1
1
4.8
Boat & equipment
4.7
Captain & crew
4.7
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (79)

The Reel Thing Charters With Skipper Mark.
The Reel Thing Charters With Skipper Mark.
The Reel Thing Charters With Skipper Mark.
Memorable family fun
Memorable family fun
Memorable family fun
+73

What anglers say

87%
Great experience
91%
Family friendly
99%
Friendly captain
96%
Good boat
88%
Recommended
84%
Caught fish

All reviews (163)

Filter
Showing 15 of 163 reviews
Gavin Kuczynski
Gavin Kuczynski
5.0
Verified
New
Great Skipper
5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM) on January 9, 20262 adults
Mark extended our charter this morning, due to having a couple of sick ladies. Fishing was tough, Mark tried his best and we managed to catch a few fish in very trying conditions.. i would definately book another Charter with Mark.
Reported catch:
Pink Snapper
Flathead
0
Olga Mantine
Olga Mantine
5.0
Verified
New
It was an amazing experience, we highly recommend it.
5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM) on January 25, 20264 adults
We were a family of 4, first fishing experience. Mark and his partner were very kind, professional and funny. They tried to help and went above and beyond to let us feel good. I would definitely do it again.
Reported catch:
Australian Salmon
King George Whiting
0
Ellen Ellen
Ellen Ellen
5.0
Verified
One of the best fishing day
5 Hour Trip – Shared on March 27, 20254 adults
We started at 6am. Got 2 mackarel and 2 whitting and a humongous octopus within 1.5 hours. Got a lot of different fish as well. Got quite a bunch of snappers, 2 gurne and a few that is a bit too small. The day is perfect. Captain Mark is amazing. He has become my most fave capt for now. He is very patient, attentive and friendly. He know his stuff. Teach a lot of technique of fishing. Definetely will come back again.
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
Reported catch:
Pink Snapper
Flathead
King George Whiting
Response from Captain
March 27, 2025
Thank you so much for the kind words. You and your family are a pleasure to have on board. Enjoy your feast and the rest of your holiday.
1
Denise Wrathall
Denise Wrathall
5.0
Verified
New
I loved it
5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM) on January 24, 20262 adults
Thanks Mark for the amazing day fishing squid!!! We will be back, highly recommended.
0
Jasper Hayes
Jasper Hayes
5.0
Verified
The Reel Thing Charters With Skipper Mark.
5 Hour Trip – Shared on January 2, 20262 adults
A friend and I embarked on a 5 hour fishing trip in Kurum with the skipper mark. Trip was great and Mark was very friendly and helpful. Would hugely recommend this service to anyone 10/10 was an all round fun and enjoyable experience.
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 1
Reported catch:
Pink Snapper
Flathead
Response from Captain
January 2, 2026
Hi Jasper thanks for your positive feedback .
0

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
February 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
5 Hour Trip – Shared
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 Hour Trip
starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Oct 1 - Apr 30
US $279
Shared tour: 2 people
5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM)
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 Hour Trip
starts at 10:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Oct 1 - Apr 30
US $279
Shared tour: 2 people
5 Hour Trip – Shared - 3:00 PM
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 Hour Trip
starts at 3:00 PM
Seasonal trip
Oct 1 - Apr 30
US $279
Shared tour: 2 people
5 Hour Trip – Private (5AM)
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 Hour Trip
starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Oct 1 - Apr 30
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US $1,087
Entire boat: up to 8 people
5 Hour Trip – Private (10AM)
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 Hour Trip
starts at 10:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Aug 1 - Mar 31
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US $1,087
Entire boat: up to 8 people
5 Hour Trip – Private (PM)
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 Hour Trip
starts at 3:00 PM
Seasonal trip
Oct 1 - Apr 30
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US $1,087
Entire boat: up to 8 people
There are 10 people looking at this charter.

Rating

4.7
163 reviews
5
126
4
19
3
4
2
2
1
1
4.8
Boat & equipment
4.7
Captain & crew
4.7
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (79)

The Reel Thing Charters With Skipper Mark.
The Reel Thing Charters With Skipper Mark.
The Reel Thing Charters With Skipper Mark.
Memorable family fun
Memorable family fun
Memorable family fun
+73

What anglers say

87%
Great experience
91%
Family friendly
99%
Friendly captain
96%
Good boat
88%
Recommended
84%
Caught fish

All reviews (163)

Filter
Showing 15 of 163 reviews
Gavin Kuczynski
Gavin Kuczynski
5.0
Verified
New
Great Skipper
5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM) on January 9, 20262 adults
Mark extended our charter this morning, due to having a couple of sick ladies. Fishing was tough, Mark tried his best and we managed to catch a few fish in very trying conditions.. i would definately book another Charter with Mark.
Reported catch:
Pink Snapper
Flathead
0
Olga Mantine
Olga Mantine
5.0
Verified
New
It was an amazing experience, we highly recommend it.
5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM) on January 25, 20264 adults
We were a family of 4, first fishing experience. Mark and his partner were very kind, professional and funny. They tried to help and went above and beyond to let us feel good. I would definitely do it again.
Reported catch:
Australian Salmon
King George Whiting
0
Ellen Ellen
Ellen Ellen
5.0
Verified
One of the best fishing day
5 Hour Trip – Shared on March 27, 20254 adults
We started at 6am. Got 2 mackarel and 2 whitting and a humongous octopus within 1.5 hours. Got a lot of different fish as well. Got quite a bunch of snappers, 2 gurne and a few that is a bit too small. The day is perfect. Captain Mark is amazing. He has become my most fave capt for now. He is very patient, attentive and friendly. He know his stuff. Teach a lot of technique of fishing. Definetely will come back again.
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
Reported catch:
Pink Snapper
Flathead
King George Whiting
Response from Captain
March 27, 2025
Thank you so much for the kind words. You and your family are a pleasure to have on board. Enjoy your feast and the rest of your holiday.
1
Denise Wrathall
Denise Wrathall
5.0
Verified
New
I loved it
5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM) on January 24, 20262 adults
Thanks Mark for the amazing day fishing squid!!! We will be back, highly recommended.
0
Jasper Hayes
Jasper Hayes
5.0
Verified
The Reel Thing Charters With Skipper Mark.
5 Hour Trip – Shared on January 2, 20262 adults
A friend and I embarked on a 5 hour fishing trip in Kurum with the skipper mark. Trip was great and Mark was very friendly and helpful. Would hugely recommend this service to anyone 10/10 was an all round fun and enjoyable experience.
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 1
Reported catch:
Pink Snapper
Flathead
Response from Captain
January 2, 2026
Hi Jasper thanks for your positive feedback .
0

FAQs about The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
8 persons
Boat length
28 ft
Year built
1995
Restored in
2018
Boat manufacturer
Axium
Boat type
Aluminum fishing

Engine model
Mercury
Powered by
2 x 175HP
Max cruising speed
28 knots
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