Captain C.L. Marshall of Tangier Sound Charters has spent more time bobbing around on the Bay than just about anyone and has a well-earned reputation for putting anglers on the fish. It turns out he’s also running for office for the House of Delegates in District 38A, so we asked him for a quick chat.
Q: What is it about your experience as a captain and an angler that would influence your decisions as a representative?
A: The obvious answer is an unwavering love for protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its assets. I get to share six hours every day with a new group of folks who love the Chesapeake experience. During this time, I learn much about their connection with the Bay and their feelings about the things that occur around it. Trust me, you can learn more about a man when fishing with him than you can in any interview. I’ll be consistent in defending the Chesapeake, the Lower Shore counties, our farmers, and our fishermen.
Recently I stood on the second floor of the State House looking down at the state seal, which coincidentally was made by a young lady on the Eastern Shore. It portrays a fisherman and a farmer… and I thought about how far we’ve gone from that.
Q: How well do you feel the interests and concerns of the angling community are currently represented?
A: Our striped bass fishery is many different things to many different user groups. Lately, thanks to the efforts of Tom Weaver, Dave Sikorski, and others, I think the field has leveled. I also think the needs of anglers with a closer proximity to Annapolis are often heard more than those of the Lower Shore, but that’s not just in fishing. I would like to see a unified charter boat association putting forth a single, strong message. Our fishery screams for marketing dollars. I’d like the state to bolster efforts highlighting our tremendous fishery. At Harrisburg recently the common thought by outdoorspeople was that our fisheries were dismal, declining, and dead. State marketing to promote our Chesapeake experiences would do much to add tourism dollars.
Q: Okay, now let’s talk fishing: We enjoyed some awesome scenery while fishing with you around marsh islands last year; when you explore areas like that, what visual clues are you looking for to find potential hotspots?
A: I love to fish structure. When most folks think of structure wrecks and obstructions come to mind, but structure can be in the form of grass flats, edges, fingers of super shallow shoals and what I like to call “spotty bottom.” Folks are often surprised how shallow we fish. I like it skinny.
Q: How do you factor in the tides when fishing in backwaters?
A: I like a strong ebb tide in a creek with tons of small feeder creeks off a main stem. Those fish are head into the tide looking for bait washing out of the marsh and the current will damper the sound of the trolling motor, spooking fewer fish.
Q: What are your three favorite lures for casting in the shallows?
A: That really isn’t up to me, it’s up to the fish on any given day. I do, however, really like using the 4 Horseman popping cork. What’s under it will vary from live spot to an assortment of plastics. On a tough day last year we couldn't trigger a bite so we put half a peeler under one and let it drift around a point and over stumps. Crushed em.
Q: Open mic—what haven't we talked about that you want all the anglers out there to know?
Just enjoy the experience and don't let the catch dictate the success of the day. On days when it’s tough for us we’ll often explore new areas, slide into Drum Point Market for the best crab cake in the world, get Ice cream in Tangier, or a cocktail at the Tiki Bar. This is a pretty cool area we live in. Get out there in it.