Every great lodge story begins with the people who keep it running – those who greet you with a smile, guide you through the wild, and quietly go the extra mile behind the scenes. Each month, we’re taking a moment to share their stories. These aren’t just employees – they’re stewards of the land, keepers of tradition, and they are often the reason guests return year after year. This month, meet Murray Martin!
Getting to Know You
Chris: What’s your name and what’s your role at Bay Flats Lodge?
Murray: My name is Murray Martin, and I am the Ancillary Support Manager at Bay Flats Lodge, providing necessary support to the primary activities of day-to-day operations here at the lodge. Some examples of the things I do include management of our external fly fishing business, administration and maintenance of the lodge booking software, system support for our lodge website, administration and support of our lodge HR program, and the monitoring of regulatory compliance of licensing and certification of our fishing guides, just to name a few.
Chris: How long have you been part of the team?
Murray: Some 25+ years now, as I have served in some type of capacity as part of the Bay Flats Lodge team since the year 2000.
Chris: What originally brought you to Bay Flats?
Murray: Chris Martin originally brought me to Bay Flats Lodge as an independent contractor working for him back in 2000, providing writing services for weekly and monthly hunting and fishing magazines and other publications. In the beginning, my personal goal was to obtain my guide’s license and then begin guiding for Bay Flats Lodge, which was a goal I actually achieved back in 2006-07. However, living in Austin while working 80+ hours each week at Dell Computers put quite a damper on my future guiding availability. Thus, my tenure as a USCG licensed fishing guide at the lodge was brief, marking a fleeting chapter in my professional journey.
Chris: What do you enjoy most about working here?
Murray: I do not physically work at the lodge. I still live in Austin and work remotely for the lodge, which in itself is a true blessing to me and my family. The one thing that stands out to me most about the role that I play at the lodge is that there seems to never be two days in a row that are identical – each day presents itself with new and unique challenges that aid in both my professional and personal growth.
Chris: What’s a typical day look like for you?
Murray: At Bay Flats Lodge, where world-class fishing meets refined hospitality, the Ancillary Support Manager plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role. While guests focus on trophy redfish or a perfectly grilled evening meal, I’m managing the behind-the-scenes details that make those moments possible. Such daily tasks may include such things as providing lodge staff with customer special requests, email reminders to guides of credential renewals, troubleshoot booking system or website operational mishaps and coordinate repair as necessary, communicate and file updated documents, provide lodge staff with strategic recommendations to alleviate future issues, provide customer feedback to the lodge staff and to the fishing guides, compile direct customer correspondence, construct and post new blog material, provide weekly/monthly customer newsletters, communicate with vendors, and provide fly fishing estimates and bookings – and the list goes on, but this gives you a general idea.
On the Water
Chris: Do you have a favorite fishing or hunting story from your time here?
Murray: The first time I met Chris and Deb Martin, owners of Bay Flats Lodge, was on a cold November weekend back in 1997 that I’ll never forget. My wife had given me a cast and blast trip with two buddies, and we were scheduled to hunt and fish with Chris on this mid-November weekend. We rolled into the old Captain’s Quarters motel in Seadrift late Friday evening after driving in from Austin. A strong southerly wind was whipping through the parking lot, carrying the sticky weight of Gulf humidity – classic prefrontal weather. The forecast warned of an approaching cold front, so we unpacked quickly and hit the sack, knowing we had a 3:00 AM wake-up ahead of us. Sometime during the night, the front barreled through town with a vengeance – lightning lit up the room, loud thunder cracked overhead, and the fierce wind howled out of the north like a freight train. By the time our alarm went off, the cold front was in full swing, and we were buzzing with anticipation.
Chris Martin
At 3:30 AM sharp, Chris and his buddy Capt. John knocked on our door. I was already dressed head-to-toe in cold-weather gear, including a ski mask that covered my entire face. That’s how I initially introduced myself to Capt. Chris Martin. We loaded our gear into Chris’ airboat and made our way through the sideways rain and plunging temperatures to the Seadrift boat ramp. The wind was brutal, and the rain felt like needles, but we pushed through. By daylight, we were hunkered down in the duck blinds – Chris’ first duck hunting clients as a professional guide, a detail we’d only learn from talking with Chris later that evening. We quickly shot our limits, and despite frozen gear, iced-over face masks, and icicles dangling from Chris’ chocolate lab, Brook, we rallied for an afternoon of fishing. It was a short-lived effort, brought to a halt by another wave of driving rain. That night, Chris invited us to dinner to celebrate Deb’s birthday.
Before heading over to dinner with Chris and Deb, my buddies and I drove into Port Lavaca for a birthday cake, a birthday card, and some birthday flowers for Deb. We made our way back to Seadrift to what was then the very first location of Bay Flats Lodge, which at that time was simply a double-wide trailer situated on a lot near downtown Seadrift just a block or so off of the bay front. When Chris answered my knock on their door, he froze. He looked surprised, but not because the three of us each had a gift in our hands for Deb. No, you see, the surprised look on Chris’ face came from the fact that up until this very moment, Chris had not even known what my face looked like due to me having worn a ski mask the entire day. It’s a story that we each laugh about and share with others still to this day.
We met Chris and Deb for the first time that weekend, and it immediately felt like we’d known them for years. Chris had that weathered, steady calm that only comes from time spent outdoors, while Deb’s warm smile and down-to-earth demeanor made us feel right at home. Their hospitality was unmistakable, rooted in the kind of genuine care that can’t be faked. Even with the severe weather shift we had dealt with, Chris’ quiet confidence set the tone throughout the day. You could tell this isn’t just a business to them – it’s a calling. That weekend was more than just a hunting or a fishing trip; it was the beginning of a connection to Bay Flats Lodge and to two people, which has since resulted in a life-long friendship.
Chris: What’s your go-to fly or lure for redfish?
Murray: The “Clown” top water lure made by Heddon, in Super Spook or Super Spook Jr. size, remains my favorite lure for redfish. The “Clown” topwater by Heddon is a classic because it simply produces. The contrast of its white belly, red chrome head, and gold chrome back makes it highly visible in a variety of water conditions – whether I’m working clear surf waters, clean flats areas, or slightly stained marshes. That flash and color combo seems to trigger aggressive strikes, especially in high-light conditions. Beyond color, the walk-the-dog action of the Spook series mimics an injured baitfish perfectly. Redfish, and speckled trout, love that erratic, skittering surface movement. The Super Spook Jr., in particular, is just the right size for pressured fish or when they’re keyed in on smaller bait. And let’s be honest – watching a redfish or trout explode on a topwater never gets old. The “Clown” just seems to draw more of those explosive takes than anything else in my box.
Chris: What’s one thing guests are always surprised to learn?
Murray: Guests are often surprised to discover just how very nice and upscale of an operation Bay Flats Lodge actually is – many newcomers seldom realize that it’s not just your typical run-of-the-mill fishing camp. From a pure fishing perspective, one thing guests are always surprised to learn is just how shallow redfish will go to feed – sometimes in just inches of water, with their backs or tails exposed. Why? Because it defies most people’s expectations of game fish behavior. Guests often imagine deeper, open water hunts, but redfish are perfectly comfortable pushing into ankle-deep flats, chasing shrimp or mullet. That sight – seeing a copper tail waving in skinny water – is unforgettable, and it changes how guests think about stalking fish forever.
Chris: Favorite time of year to be on the water?
Murray: Along our portion of the Texas coast, we fish year-round, but early fall is hands-down my favorite time to be on the water because the air starts to cool, the crowds thin out, and the redfish start schooling aggressively in October and November in preparation for their winter push to the Gulf. You get those occasional crisp mornings and glassy conditions that make sight-casting in shallow water feel like hunting. Plus, the bait is often thick in numbers, the fish are fired up, and every cast feels like it could be the one cast that will top off your entire trip.
Chris: If you could fish anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Murray: Given the opportunity, I would love to travel many, many years back in time to wade fish for big speckled trout in the surf down south of the U.S. border in Mexico near Laguna Madre (Tamaulipus) or Laguna de Alvarado (Veracruz). Back then, those waters were raw, unpressured, and full of mystery. The fish were bigger, the stories richer, and the experience more original – just you, the surf, and a rod in hand. No crowds, no GPS, no chatter or social media – just instinct, tide, and time. It’s the kind of fishing that shaped legends and built the soul of the sport of fishing for giant speckled trout.
Personal Touch
Chris: What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
Murray: I served as a Cobra helicopter mechanic, and held flight-status as the Commander’s Crew Chief on the UH-1 Huey helicopter for more than 4 years in the U.S. Army.
Chris: How do you spend your time when you’re not at the lodge?
Murray: I might spend time each morning just walking a few miles at sunrise, or maybe knocking out a few rounds of weights as I expand on my new endeavor of strength and weight training. When I’m off duty, I typically shift into a slower rhythm – spending time with family (especially the grandkids), tending to little projects, or planning the next week. But truthfully, even when I’m not on the lodge clock, the phone still rings and the emails are still received, and part of me is always tuned in to what is going on at the lodge, thinking about my “to-do” list or how to improve something down at the lodge.
Advice & Legacy
Chris: What advice would you give someone visiting Bay Flats for the first time?
Murray: My advice would be simple – if you’ve never been to Bay Flats Lodge, get there as fast as you can, and then relax and soak it all in. Bay Flats isn’t just a place to fish or hunt; it’s a chance to disconnect from the chaos and reconnect with nature, good people, and great food. Once you’re there, learn to trust your guides – they know these waters better than anyone. Most of all, come with an open mind and a sense of adventure.
Chris: What keeps you motivated day in and day out?
Murray: It really comes down to my faith, my wife, and my family – they’re my foundation. My faith gives me perspective and purpose, reminding me that the work I do and the way I treat others matters far beyond just the daily tasks. My wife, Peggy, is my partner in every sense – her strength, support, and belief in me push me to show up as my best self. And my family keeps me grounded and focused on what truly counts. They’re the reason I work hard, stay consistent, and keep aiming higher. At the end of the day, knowing I’m building a life rooted in something meaningful for the people I love – that’s what drives me.
Chris: What does being part of the Bay Flats team mean to you?
Murray: Being part of the Bay Flats team means showing up every day ready to go the extra mile – even when the work that you perform happens behind-the-scenes. Every detail matters, as it all contributes to the bigger picture of giving our lodge guests an unforgettable experience. I take pride in knowing that my efforts – visible or not – help create something special. It’s about commitment, teamwork, and doing the job right, not just for recognition, but because it reflects who we are as a team, as well as who we are as a company.
