For sharks, bluefin tuna and bluefish, the best times to fish Ocean City are May-September. Wintertime is when Ocean City has its slowest fishing.

Fishing in Ocean City Med

Ocean City is Maryland’s top summer tourist spot. But, the city also boasts world-class fishing right minutes away from the busy beaches. The best times and seasons to fish Ocean City’s beaches can help you have a better experience fishing.

Ocean City is home for a variety species of fish that are seasonal. Anglers will be more likely to catch fish in Ocean City’s Isle of Wight Bay during peak hours, as well as deep-sea fishing the Atlantic Ocean.

(Image courtesy Naughty Sportfishing (Ocean City), & Fishing Bucher

Between spring to early fall, flounder, kingfishes, kingfishes, weakfishes, northern porgy’s, sea bass and spotted trout are at their best. You can catch Atlantic croaker (albacore), albacore, whitemailing, dolphins, bluefin tuna and wahoo in early summer or fall.

From the beginning of spring through the end, bluefish are readily available. Anglers could catch tautog all through the year. In May and June, they can fish for sharks like hammerheads (threshers) and threshers.

Best time to fish Ocean City

Ocean City’s fish species are always active, regardless of the season. Even though late fall is the best time for tautog, they are still available in waters near shore and bay regions such as Isle of Wight Bay all year.

Ocean City’s water temperatures are an important factor that can influence your fishing. It is generally believed that fish will be less active if the water is too cold or warm, while they become more active if the water gets warmer.

Fishing in Ocean City Med

Winter

Ocean City’s winter season is a poorer one for many of the traditional catches. As the water temperatures drop, fish begin to migrate south. This southerly migration method has the advantage of attracting fish from the North. The common catch is the striped bass, which migrates along the coast waters of Ocean City in winter.

Ocean City is alive with sharks and bluefish in spring. Mackerel can be found in abundance along the Atlantic coast in March and are very active. Mid-April is when the mackerel and bluefish leave. The bluefish are here until the end and continue to grow with each passing month.

Summer is the best time to fish in Ocean City because of the warmer water temperatures.

The white marlin breeding season begins in June. July is the best month for summer sharks. Mako’s, blue sharks as well as hammerheads, makes, tiger and tiger sharks are all frequently seen hunting bluefish near sandbars.

Many of these same species are still active in Ocean City’s October fishing season.

There will be common species such as bluefish, marlin and sea bass. Also, new species such a sea trout or Atlantic croaker. These fish could be found within close proximity of the shoreline, such a bay regions, jetties or shipwrecks.

Top Fishing Charters In Ocean City

These charters are based out of Ocean City and have great reviews. They offer great service. The captains of these charters are friendly, knowledgeable and can put you on fish. Simply click on the links to take you to Fishing Booker’s charter profile. You will find reviews, photos, information, and the ability to book online at a great rate.

Ocean City: Breakdown of Species: Best Times

White Marlin

Ocean City hosts every summer the white marlin opening. Last year’s winning margin was 80 pounds. The white marlin’s swimming speed is constant and rapid.

The marlin fish is a long, muscular fish that is sleek and muscular. It has a blue upper portion and a silvery white underbelly. Female white marlins tend to be smaller than males and can grow up nine feet in height and 180 pounds. These are Ocean City, MD’s prize fish.

Fishing in Ocean City Med

Haddock

Haddock, which can be confused with cod but not the other, is plentiful throughout the year. It is also available year round. Haddock makes a great catch, and is just as delicious fishing as cod. They can be found throughout the year in the deep waters of the Atlantic.

Bluefish

Bluefish are not as common as some other species but they can still be enjoyed in large numbers throughout the Cape.

The best thing about them is their willingness to eat anything. This makes them ideal for novice anglers starting to fish in the sport of sports fishing. From May through October, you can see them in large numbers in both shallow and deep water.

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the best days to catch bluefish. Check out my article for a detailed breakdown on the best seasons in Virginia Beach. Please see this article for a breakdown of the best season to fish in the Outer Banks.

Sharks

A variety of shark species call the area home for the majority of the year. This makes it an incredible place to see. You can catch most species between June and October. The summer season is the best time to capture Mako and blue sharks. You can catch them both off the coast.

Best Day of the Week to Fish Ocean City

Ocean City is no exception. Many believe that morning is the best time of day to fish. The rising sun causes the fish to go into a feeding frenzy, and they find themselves in areas where they aren’t used because of the active baitfish.

Many fishermen will quickly set up their boats onshore after only a few hours. This is also when fishing is at its busiest, so fish will be more stressed. Large fish will eat for hours. Waiting for white marlin to appear isn’t a bad idea if you’re trying to find it.

Ocean City Fishing & Tidal Impacts

An approaching tide, also known as a rising or low tide, is one the most beautiful times to go fishing. Water from the ocean entering an estuary can be cooler, clearer, and have more oxygen than water in the estuary during low tides.

This combination of variables can encourage fish to feed aggressively. But wind and other weather conditions may influence the best fishing tides.

When the tide is out, anglers will often fish inshore areas while they are fishing. This is because gamefish will wait near the estuary’s mouth to feast upon any crustaceans and baitfish that have been washed in with the tide.

Image courtesy Coastal Guide Service Ocean City & fishing booker

Fishing in Ocean City Med

Top four Fishing Spots at Ocean City

1. Surf Fishing. Surf fishing can be one of the most thrilling and rewarding types. If you are skilled at it, you’ll find the following: Striped Bass; Black Drum; Puppy Drum; Red Drum; Kingfish, Shark, Skate and Flounder; Bluefish; and many other species.
2. Anglers are able to cast their line for flounder, striped Bass, trout and bluefish at the public piers and beaches in Ocean City. The Oceanic Pier, located near the Midway Shopping Center’s southernmost end of the city, the Talbot Street Pier downtown Ocean City and Ninth Street Pier, both jutting into the Isle of Wight Bay (central Ocean City), are good pier fishing locations. Ocean City offers surf fishing on public beaches from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with fishermen casting at least 50 meters from swimmers and beachgoers.
3. Offshore Fishing is: A boat is essential for offshore fishing. You can find many great charter captains to get you on the fishing boat. Blue sharks are Bluefish, Mako Sharks. Yellowfin Tuna and Bluefin Tuna. Longfin Tuna. King Mackerel.

The Coastal Highway offers easy access to Ocean City beaches and parking spaces for fishermen. There are many species that can be caught pier fishing: Bluefish, Croaker (Seabass), Flounder and Triggerfish.

4. Bay/Inlet Fishing: It is necessary to have a boat. There are many great Headbutts to take you out. There are many species that can be caught inlet fishing: Bluefish, Croaker and Flounder.

Storms & Ocean City Fathering

The best fishing can be found in Ocean City or the inlet during the days before a storm. When they detect a shift, baitfish either migrate inland to deeper waters or inland. The chances of several animals including striped bass enjoying a frenzy of food are higher if more people move inland.

Even though winter is coming, winter storms are still able to bring many fish. Try to catch these fish early in the day if possible.

Is Ocean City winter fishing good or bad?

The ups and the downs of winter fishing in Ocean City are not uncommon. Many fish may flee from the bitterly cold winters. Some species, however will not venture out of the area. You can be successful in winter if your body can withstand the cold.

However, those species who do remain will slow down significantly so that the bite won’t be as strong or consistent as in the spring and early summer. Also, larger fish will have left, so it is less likely that you will catch the white marlin.

Please see this article for a breakdown of the best time to fish in Norfolk.

Fishing in Ocean City Med

Night Fishing Ocean City

Night fishing is very popular in Ocean City, especially for striped Bass. This is especially true when June’s breakwaters are in effect. The region’s anglers love this one month of night fishing in the inlet each year.

Ocean City has a lower number of night fishermen during winter and autumn. This is due to lower water temperatures and more lethargic fish.

Sea/Surf Fishing – Best Times & Seasons

Shore fishing is very popular in Ocean City. You can go shore fishing best in the early hours of the morning before it gets too hot. These are the best times to catch larger fish in the shallower water. It is best to go shore fishing in the spring or summer.

Booking Charters Ocean City

Charter boat rentals enable guests to have a day of fishing, with the assistance and support of a skipper. OC Girl Sportfishing Charters, Restless Lady Sportfishing Charters, Reel Addiction Sportfishing Charters, Marla Sportfishing, Fin Chaser Sportfishing Charters, Over Under Sportfishing are just a handful of the charter boat fishing businesses based in Ocean City.

Ocean City charter boat operators offer many different activities such as party boat fishing (deep-sea bottom fishing), wreck fishing, Deepsea trolling, shark fish fishing and inshore fishing.

Group charters of people can get lower rates if they charter a boat to fish the waters off Ocean City for half- or full days. For your trip to be successful, make sure to reserve your dates and times with the skipper.

The Best Season To Go

Summer will be Ocean City’s busiest and most booked time to fish. If you are looking to book a less crowded trip or a more private one, I recommend the autumn. Although the summer rush will be ending, many summer species are still out on the waters.

Fishing in Ocean City Med

Morning vs. Afternoon

Anglers debate the issue of which baitfish is best. Ocean City is experiencing rising tides in the morning which bring more baitfish along with them. This drives predatory fish to go hunting. This results in some stunning action since they can strike almost any kind of fish.

Morning tides also bring deeper water to flats, making fishing in the afternoon difficult. Consider the fact that most rain falls in afternoon, and it becomes clear that morning is the best hour to be at the beach.

Half-Day

A half-day charter is a great option for many people when it comes to touring the marshes and flats. A half-day charter allows you to spend enough time on the fish without spending the entire day out on the water. Depending on the species and your guide, you may be able to take a 4-6-hour trip. You’ll be hunting tarpon, bonefish, and some other species on a half day excursion.

Full-Day

The best chance of success is with a deep-sea chartered vessel, and a full day trip. It is almost impossible to catch larger fish in deep waters without a full-day charter. A trip can take at least an hour, depending upon where the charter is operating. A full day, however, can often be more expensive. A full-day expedition is possible with the mahi wahoo, marlin, and mahi mahi species.

Multi-Day

Even though it’s not necessary, a full day excursion gives you the best chance at landing bigger fish. It is possible to take hours before you catch a larger fish despite their proximity.

It is possible to miss big fish on a half-day excursion. A full day trip allows you to get a taster of Ocean City’s fishing. The morning might be spent on inshore species. After lunch, you can move on into deeper waters where bigger fish are abundant.

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