It will be a baptism of crab-fire, and some among you may not be ready for the writhing weight clutching at the neck on the end of the line. As you head along Broad Creek, Captain Jim points out the local population of egrets, storks and oyster. The marsh grass shimmers in the light breeze, and the deep loamy scent of the marshland courses through your nostrils. I can feel them. And they know we're coming after them.
Anchor is dropped and the rules are explained to the crew.
Captain Jim has in mind a sport, a crabbing competition, and he and Murphy will keep score. You drop your bait, now as warm as the body of a free-range chicken, to the bottom of the creek and wait. Within minutes, the lady to your left surprises herself and delights her grandchildren by hauling in two enormous crabs. The crabs are dropped back in the sea for Round Two. The winner of the competition receives a hearty handshake from Captain Jim and a prize, then he is exhorted to make a speech.