Ocean City, Maryland, the "White Marlin Capital of the World," features hundreds of square miles of bays, canals, rivers and open sea in which to fish, and is famous for its offshore fishing in particular. Whether you are fishing from piers, beaches or boats, there are plenty of fish to be caught in Ocean City. The best fishing spots vary depending on conditions and the type of fishing experience you are looking for.
Offshore
Offshore fishing in Ocean City varies depending on such variables as weather conditions, wave patterns, tides and time of year. Daily and weekly fishing reports are widely available online from a number of sources, such as the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fishing At The Beach weekly report and the Atlantic Breezes Ocean City Maryland Surf Fishing and Offshore Fishing report. These reports advise on all variables, including what fish types are biting and where. The Atlantic Breezes website even lists the exact locations of offshore wrecks and "fishing holes" that attract the best offshore catches.
Piers
Ocean City is home to nearly a dozen public fishing piers, each with its own specific fish population. For bluefish, trout, striped bass and flounder, try the pier at Ocean City Inlet at the south end of Ocean City. Located one block south of First Street, the Route 50 bridge is an excellent location for flounder, night fishing using lures and crabbing with traps. For sea bass, use squid for bait from the Ninth Street pier or the Second through Fourth Street bulkhead, both on the bay side.
Surf Fishing
Surf fishing, or fishing directly from the beach, can yield nice catches of bluefish, striped bass, sea trout, shark and kingfish. On Ocean City beaches, surf fishing is allowed all day offseason, or before 10 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. during the summer. Ocean areas in Delaware State Park, 15 miles north of Ocean City, allow all-day surf fishing year-round. For successful surf fishing, look for riptides --- swirling areas of water often found around jetties or pipes or where there is a break in the sandbar --- where fish such as striped bass congregate.
Charters and Head Boats
For a guided fishing experience, most often offshore, Ocean City is home to numerous charter fishing outfits. Most are found at Ocean City Fishing Center, Talbot Street Pier, Fisherman's Marina or Sunset Marina. Charter outfits typically provide everything you need, including knowledge of the best fishing spots given the variables on the day you go. For a more relaxed fishing experience, "head boats," or party boats, are also a popular option in Ocean City. Companies like Ocean City Girl can take groups of up to 20 people on a professional fishing expedition that focuses as much on having fun with friends and family as on landing the big one.
Things to Know
Ocean City is a fishing mecca, and there are a mind-boggling number of options. The key to a successful fishing experience is in narrowing down the choices so that you get the experience you were hoping for. If you bring your own boat, Ocean City has four boat ramps for launching. Although there is fishing year-round in Ocean City, most species of fish are caught between May and October. You do not need a license to fish in the saltwater bays and inlets in Ocean City, or in the ocean.
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