The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum 

4.7/5 (166 reviews)
 Launching Way, Melbourne, VI 3197, Australia

The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum 

Melbourne, VI, Australia
28 ft
8
4.7/5 (166 reviews)

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!

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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Customer reviews

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Rating

4.7
166 reviews
4.7
Boat & equipment
4.8
Captain & crew
4.7
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (79)

What anglers say

87%
Great experience
91%
Family friendly
99%
Friendly captain
96%
Good boat
88%
Recommended
85%
Caught fish

All reviews (166)

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Showing 15 of 166 reviews
Gavin Kuczynski
Gavin Kuczynski
au
Australia
Member since 2025
0
5.0
Verified
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
Jasper Hayes
Jasper Hayes
gb
United Kingdom
Member since 2026
0
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.
Reported catch:
Pink Snapper
Flathead
Response from Captain
January 2, 2026
Hi Jasper thanks for your positive feedback .
Cameron Hall
Cameron Hall
Repeat angler
au
Australia
Member since 2022
4 trips
0
5.0
Verified
Amazing experience for family day out
5 Hour Trip – Private (5AM) on March 21, 20264 adults1 child
Mark & Joel thoroughly put together an amazing day , making the experience for the kids unforgettable and very knowledgeable and fill you in on all the handy tips along the way , we will be back and would highly recommend!!
Olga Mantine
Olga Mantine
au
Australia
Member since 2026
0
5.0
Verified
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
Katherine Firth
Katherine Firth
au
Australia
Member since 2026
0
5.0
Verified
Fishing with Mark
5 Hour Trip – Shared - 3:00 PM on February 8, 20262 adults3 children
Thanks for a fantastic day out! Lots of fish were caught and we all had a lot of fun!

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
June 2026
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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Almost there...
5 Hour Trip – Shared
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 hour trip multiple starting times (5:00 AM, 3:00 PM)
Seasonal trip
Oct 1 - Apr 30
US $281
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 $281
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 $1,092
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 $1,092
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 $1,092
Entire boat: up to 8 people
There are 4 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Loading...

Rating

4.7
166 reviews
4.7
Boat & equipment
4.8
Captain & crew
4.7
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (79)

What anglers say

87%
Great experience
91%
Family friendly
99%
Friendly captain
96%
Good boat
88%
Recommended
85%
Caught fish

All reviews (166)

Filter
Frequently mentioned
Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...
Showing 15 of 166 reviews
Gavin Kuczynski
Gavin Kuczynski
au
Australia
Member since 2025
0
5.0
Verified
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
Jasper Hayes
Jasper Hayes
gb
United Kingdom
Member since 2026
0
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.
Reported catch:
Pink Snapper
Flathead
Response from Captain
January 2, 2026
Hi Jasper thanks for your positive feedback .
Cameron Hall
Cameron Hall
Repeat angler
au
Australia
Member since 2022
4 trips
0
5.0
Verified
Amazing experience for family day out
5 Hour Trip – Private (5AM) on March 21, 20264 adults1 child
Mark & Joel thoroughly put together an amazing day , making the experience for the kids unforgettable and very knowledgeable and fill you in on all the handy tips along the way , we will be back and would highly recommend!!
Olga Mantine
Olga Mantine
au
Australia
Member since 2026
0
5.0
Verified
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
Katherine Firth
Katherine Firth
au
Australia
Member since 2026
0
5.0
Verified
Fishing with Mark
5 Hour Trip – Shared - 3:00 PM on February 8, 20262 adults3 children
Thanks for a fantastic day out! Lots of fish were caught and we all had a lot of fun!

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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