Recorded at the 2026 Hunt Fish Podcast Summit at Pintail Hunting Club, this episode of the Mudfish Adventures Podcast features Captain Martha "Marty" Spencer, a Louisiana charter captain who built a career in offshore and inshore fishing after leaving a successful job as a broadcast meteorologist. 

Martha shares how her path into the outdoors began later in life when she moved to Louisiana and discovered the world of hunting and fishing. That passion eventually led her to help create the outdoor television show Bayou Wild, which spent ten seasons highlighting Louisiana's unique wildlife, culture, conservation stories, and outdoor traditions. 

The conversation dives deep into the realities of life as a charter captain. Martha discusses the long days, the high cost of offshore boats, and the demanding work required to guide anglers in the Gulf of Mexico. From catching live bait and running offshore boats to managing clients and navigating weather, she explains what it really takes to succeed in the charter fishing industry. 

One of the highlights of the discussion is Martha's passion for swordfishing, one of the most challenging forms of offshore fishing. Targeting swordfish can require dropping bait more than 1,000 feet deep and waiting patiently for a single bite, often resulting in multi-hour fights with massive fish. 

The episode also explores Louisiana marsh fishing for redfish, speckled trout, and flounder, the role of conservation regulations in fisheries management, and how Martha is helping introduce more women to fishing through educational trips and outdoor experiences.

From swordfish and tuna offshore to redfish in the Louisiana marsh, this episode is packed with stories, fishing knowledge, and insight into what it takes to build a life on the water.

Topics covered in this episode

• Becoming a charter fishing captain in Louisiana

• Swordfishing in the Gulf of Mexico

• Redfish, speckled trout, and marsh fishing tactics

• Life working as an offshore deckhand and captain

• Catching live bait and offshore fishing strategy

• The realities of running a fishing charter business

• Encouraging more women to get involved in fishing and the outdoors

If you enjoy offshore fishing, charter fishing stories, conservation, and life on the water, this episode is one you won't want to miss.