Captain

Mark Ratchford

Nationality: Australian
Languages: English
Experience: 27 years

Verifications

Email Address

Verified

Phone Number

XXX-XXX-X664

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.

174

Reviews

Fishing Reports

My Charter Listings

The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

4.7 / 5

(155 reviews)

4.7 / 5

(155 reviews)

Melbourne • 28 ft • 8 persons

Last booking: 7 hours ago

Trips from US $127

The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda

5.0 / 5

(18 reviews)

5.0 / 5

(18 reviews)

Melbourne • 28 ft • 8 persons

Trips from US $1,324

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 $1,405

Fishing Reports

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.

Great weekends fishing for all on board

Nov 25, 2017 Melbourne

Fishing out from Carrum last weekend, everyone on board enjoyed good catches of fish, Ranging from good size snapper, Banjo Sharks, Eagle rays, Slimey Mackerel and some large flathead. the weather was perfect.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.7 / 5

out of 5 stars from 174 reviews

See details

Boat

4.7 / 5

Crew

4.8 / 5

Experience

4.7 / 5

Photos & videos by reviewers (97)

The Reel Thing Charters With Skipper Mark.

+94

Angler rating

5 stars		135
4 stars		19
3 stars		4
2 stars		2
1 star		1

Anglers claimed

Good experience
	89%
Friendly captain
	99%
Recommend this charter
	88%
Appropriate for children
	93%
Satisfied with the boat
	98%
Caught fish
	83%

Appropriate for children
	93%
Satisfied with the boat
	98%
Caught fish
	83%

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Showing:

5 of 174 reviews

Showing 171 - 174 of 174 reviews

Mark O.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED Trip was supposed to happen on December 16, 2022

Mark O.

Dec 16, 2022

The captain canceled

VERIFIED

The charter operator canceled 9 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.

Mark review as helpful

1 person finds this review helpful

Mark review as helpful

1 person finds this review helpful

Daniel W.

Melbourne, Victoria

3.3 / 5

Experience:

4.0 / 5

Boat

3.0 / 5

Crew

3.0 / 5

Overall

Fishing with Mark

VERIFIED 5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM) on November 11, 2017

Daniel W.

Melbourne, Victoria

3.3 / 5

Nov 11, 2017

5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM)

Fishing with Mark

VERIFIED

Unfortunately no one caught any fish. Good boat but new deck hand. We went out on the 10am trip

Daniel W. does not recommend The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

Mark review as helpful

1 person finds this review helpful

Mark Ratchford (The Captain)

Replied on November 11, 2017

Hi Daniel. I hope overall you enjoyed your day, whilst there was no keepers caught, there was a few fish caught overall. We do apologise about the deck hand, it was his first day.

Mark Ratchford (The Captain)

Replied on November 11, 2017

Hi Daniel. I hope overall you enjoyed your day, whilst there was no keepers caught, there was a few fish caught overall. We do apologise about the deck hand, it was his first day.

Captain replied