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 $122

The Reel Thing Charters – St Kilda

5.0 / 5

(18 reviews)

5.0 / 5

(18 reviews)

Melbourne • 28 ft • 8 persons

Trips from US $1,275

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 $1,352

Fishing Reports

Good times for the Buck.

Nov 23, 2024 Melbourne

We delivered the goods for the bucks party out of StKilda today. Xmas lunch for everyone.

Big morning out from StKilda

Nov 23, 2024 Melbourne

Fish for all on the 6am StKilda charter. Fish went well with all baits producing good size Snapper.

Snapper are on ? in the mornings and af

Nov 20, 2024 Melbourne

Our customers have been taking home good catches of snapper on the early mornings and late afternoon charters. Fish from leagal size up to 7kg being caught.

Some big fish are being caught

Nov 16, 2024 Melbourne

It's Snapper season, and The Reel Thing Charters are getting some good fish for their customers. The season will only run until January at the latest. Book now for the best chance of catching a big Snapper.

November is the start of our season

Nov 7, 2024 Melbourne

If you would like to catch fish like the people in the picture, there is no time like the present to book in for the start of the season. spots are filling fast so don't wait.

FISH FEVER.

Nov 13, 2022 Melbourne

We only had a short break in Melbourne's unpredictable weather but it was enough to get out on the water to try our luck with the Snapper, we caught Snapper on every trip with only one trip getting a small catch, every other trip seen good numbers of fish come aboard. The children led the way with some great catches.

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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Showing:

5 of 165 reviews

Showing 161 - 165 of 165 reviews

Muhammad M.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED Trip was supposed to happen on December 11, 2021

Muhammad M.

Dec 11, 2021

The captain canceled

VERIFIED

The charter operator canceled 3 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.

Mark review as helpful

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