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Ocean City occupies an ideal spot on the barrier islands sheltering mainland Maryland from the Atlantic. Within easy driving distance of Washington, D.C. and its airport, it’s an awesome destination for the fishing adventure of a lifetime.
From tournaments famous the world over to legendary locations for bluefish and sharks, Ocean City’s fishing charters are the envy of anglers everywhere.
And if you’re a striped bass fanatic, there’s probably no better place to test your skill in the world!
Ocean City’s fishing charters are some of the best in the mid-Atlantic, and the area’s captains know how to make the most of the waters Ocean City has been blessed with. From short inshore trips for flounder to legendary day trips to the Jackspot for King Mackerel, you can be sure that you’ll find the fishing adventure of a lifetime, whatever you choose!
Known for its shallow, green-gray water, Isle of Wight Bay is an ideal habitat for flounder, and the area’s captains are available for charter fishing trips that are as short as just a few hours.
And whether you choose to hit the water for the morning or book an all-day adventure, they know the hotspots to get you on monster flatfish.
8.4 nautical miles from Ocean City, you’ll find the Bass Grounds, an artificial reef that provides habitat for huge schools of baitfish.
And of course, where there’s prey, you’ll find the predators!
The Bass Grounds are famous for bluefish, producing legions of 12- to 16-pound blues. You can also find Hammerheads, Bulls, and Blacktips cruising this reef, and an experienced captain will know just where to look if that’s the adventure you’re after.
As experienced charter captains know, the Bass Grounds is also the ideal retreat from offshore when the wind picks up over Baltimore Canyon.
Little and Great Gull Banks rise from 50 to 60 feet of water to about half that, providing an ideal environment for baitfish that feed large populations of bluefish and striped bass.
A fantastic destination for short trips or day-long excursions, these bars are within easy reach of the inlet, requiring just a few minutes of travel.
A natural reef that’s been augmented with sunken boxcars, the Jackspot is one of the most famous fishing spots on the east coast.
Breaking the relatively uniform depth of the seafloor 19.4 nautical miles from Ocean City, King Mackerel, monster blues, Wahoo, Mako, and several varieties of tuna draw anglers and charter captains year after year.
Only about an hour’s run from the inlet, the Jackspot offers unrivaled fishing that’s well within reach of a short trip.
A deep cleft in the seafloor roughly 60 nautical miles from the Ocean City inlet, Baltimore Canyon is a premier hotspot for pelagic species like tuna, blue marlin, albacore, and mahi-mahi.
Mako and hammerhead are common in the Canyon as well, and charter captains will be more than happy to help you find them.
Promising heart-pounding excitement, you’ll find plenty of charter captains ready for all-day or overnight excursions from Ocean City.
Over Baltimore Canyon, you’ll find captains trolling Green Machines on 100- to 120-pound test for albacore and tuna, and night fishing with bright lights to attract bait fish is also common.
Big circle hooks and bait are typical for tuna, as well, and a variety of trolling lures are common for species like wahoo, mahi-mahi, and blue marlin.
Cut baits like bunker and spot-on spinning gear are essential for blues, as is tough leader material like heavy fluorocarbon or mono. Striped bass are partial to spot, menhaden, and mullet but are fished in much the same way.
And of course, expect relatively light spinning gear for flounder, with a variety of double-rigs and jigs.
Most fishing charters provide licenses, but if yours doesn’t, every angler over the age of 16 will need one. If you want to venture out on your own, you’ll need to purchase a valid license. Regulations on bag and size limits apply, and your captain will keep you informed on these.
