Captain

Mark Ratchford

Nationality: Australian
Languages: English
Experience: 26 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.

165

Reviews

Fishing Reports

My Charter Listings

The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

4.7 / 5

(146 reviews)

4.7 / 5

(146 reviews)

Melbourne • 28 ft • 8 persons

Trips from US $124

The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda

5.0 / 5

(18 reviews)

5.0 / 5

(18 reviews)

Melbourne • 28 ft • 8 persons

Trips from US $1,292

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 $1,370

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 165 reviews

See details

Boat

4.7 / 5

Crew

4.8 / 5

Experience

4.7 / 5

Photos & videos by reviewers (88)

+85

Angler rating

5 stars		126
4 stars		19
3 stars		4
2 stars		2
1 star		1

Anglers claimed

Good experience
	89%
Friendly captain
	99%
Recommend this charter
	87%
Appropriate for children
	93%
Satisfied with the boat
	97%
Caught fish
	83%

Appropriate for children
	93%
Satisfied with the boat
	97%
Caught fish
	83%

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Sort by: Featured

Showing:

5 of 165 reviews

Showing 26 - 30 of 165 reviews

Mike F.

Melbourne, Victoria

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Half day with Skipper Mark

VERIFIED 5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM) on February 9, 2023

Mike F.

Melbourne, Victoria

5.0 / 5

Feb 9, 2023

5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM)

Really unforgettable experience with my family and Skipper Mark. Mark even happy to spent extra hours with us just want to make sure we have a good trip. Guess what, Mark even free upgraded us from whitening to Blue Fin Tuna! You are legend. Highly recommend!

Really unforgettable experience with my family and Skipper Mark. Mark even happy to spent extra hours with us just...

Mike F. recommends The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

Mark review as helpful

Mark Ratchford (The Captain)

Replied on February 9, 2023

Thanks Mike, Thanks for fishing with us, enjoy your Sushimi. I hope your family enjoy the rest of their stay in Australia and have a safe trip home.

Mark Ratchford (The Captain)

Replied on February 9, 2023

Thanks Mike, Thanks for fishing with us, enjoy your Sushimi. I hope your family enjoy the rest of their stay in Australia and have a safe trip home.

Captain replied

Sidney C.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED Trip was supposed to happen on November 19, 2024

Sidney C.

Nov 19, 2024

The captain canceled

VERIFIED

The charter operator canceled on trip date. This is an automated posting.

Mark review as helpful

4 persons find this review helpful

Mark review as helpful

4 persons find this review helpful

Kevin K.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Awesome

VERIFIED 5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM) on November 4, 2023

Kevin K.

5.0 / 5

Nov 4, 2023

5 Hour Trip – Shared (AM)

Awesome

VERIFIED

The group was more on the smaller side, compared with the other charters running from Carrum (which is a very good thing in my opinion. Captain Mark was a really awesome guy & we caught a lot of Red Snappers

The group was more on the smaller side, compared with the other charters running from Carrum (which is a very good thing in...

Kevin K. recommends The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

Mark review as helpful

Travis H.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Great Charter for real fishing

VERIFIED Full Day Trip – Bluefin Tuna on March 10, 2023

Travis H.

5.0 / 5

Mar 10, 2023

Full Day Trip – Bluefin Tuna

Great Charter for real fishing

VERIFIED

Captain Mark and First Mate Tony got us out there and found the morning bite and we pulled a couple in. Unfortunately the fish wanted to skip lunch, but that’s fishing. Can’t ask for much more.

Captain Mark and First Mate Tony got us out there and found the morning bite and we pulled a couple in. Unfortunately the fish...

Travis H. recommends The Reel Thing Charters – Private Tuna Trips

Mark review as helpful

1 person finds this review helpful

Mark Ratchford (The Captain)

Replied on March 10, 2023

Hi Travis , thanks for your positive feedback .

Mark Ratchford (The Captain)

Replied on March 10, 2023

Hi Travis , thanks for your positive feedback .

Captain replied

Ke Y.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

April fishing trip

VERIFIED 5 Hour Trip – Shared (5AM) on April 1, 2024

Ke Y.

5.0 / 5

Apr 1, 2024

5 Hour Trip – Shared (5AM)

April fishing trip

VERIFIED

Ke Y. recommends The Reel Thing Charters – Carrum

Mark review as helpful

Mark Ratchford (The Captain)

Replied on April 1, 2024

Hi Ke Yang , Thanks for the positive feedback .

Mark Ratchford (The Captain)

Replied on April 1, 2024

Hi Ke Yang , Thanks for the positive feedback .

Captain replied

...

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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

Half day with Skipper Mark

Half day with Skipper Mark

The captain canceled

The captain canceled

Awesome

Awesome

Great Charter for real fishing

Great Charter for real fishing

April fishing trip

April fishing trip

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