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.

My Charter Listings

Excellent
4.7 / 5
(146 reviews)
Melbourne
Trips from US $124
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(18 reviews)
Melbourne
Trips from US $1,291
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(1 review)
Melbourne
Trips from US $1,369

Fishing Reports

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 165 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (88)
One of the best fishing day
One of the best fishing day
One of the best fishing day
+85
Angler rating
126
19
4
2
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%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 165 reviews
Kin W.
Rowville, VIC
Very good
4.0 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Very good
4.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Trip With Mark

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip โ€“ Shared (5AM) on November 10, 2018
Good snapper fishing experience.
Kin W. recommends The Reel Thing Charters โ€“ Carrum
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Lucinda S.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   January 22, 2023
The charter operator canceled on trip date. This is an automated posting.
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Leonard W.
Bad
1.3 / 5
Experience:
Bad
2.0 / 5
Boat
Poor
1.0 / 5
Crew
Poor
1.0 / 5
Overall

Customers beware

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip โ€“ Shared (5AM) on January 5, 2024
Customers if you just want a boat cruise use this charter. If you actually want to catch quality fish look elsewhere.!!!
Leonard W. does not recommend The Reel Thing Charters โ€“ Carrum
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3 persons find this review helpful
You and 3 people found this review helpful
  Mark Ratchford Captain replied

Plasidus M.
Melbourne, VIC
Good
2.3 / 5
Experience:
Bad
2.0 / 5
Boat
Good
3.0 / 5
Crew
Bad
2.0 / 5
Overall

Prefer morning trip

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip โ€“ Shared (5AM) on January 2, 2020
Booked for early morning 5 am trip but they put me on 10 am trip. Did not catch any fish.
Plasidus M. recommends The Reel Thing Charters โ€“ Carrum
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Steven O.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   November 18, 2023
The charter operator canceled 4 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful