Best Times & Seasons to Fish Ocean City, MD (A Full Guide)
Ocean City, Maryland is one of the top summer tourist destinations on the East Coast but it also offers world-class fishing just minutes from the bustling beaches. Knowing the best times and seasons to fish Ocean City’s coastal waterways can help you experience much better fishing.
The best times to fish Ocean City is from May through September for kingfish, weakfish, flounder, spotted trout, croaker, albacore, white marlin, dolphin, bluefin tuna, bluefish, and sharks. Wintertime has the slowest fishing in Ocean City coastal waters.
Ocean City is home to a variety of fish species that are available seasonally. Anglers are more likely to hook fish off the shore of Ocean City in the Isle of Wight Bay or while deep-sea fishing in the Atlantic Ocean during peak times.
Between spring and early fall, spotted trout, kingfish, weakfish, northern porgy, sea bass, and flounder are at their best. Early summer and fall are the best times to catch Atlantic croaker, albacore, white marlin, dolphin, bluefin tuna, and wahoo.
Bluefish are accessible from late spring until the end of the season. Anglers may catch tautog all year and fish for sharks like threshers and hammerheads in the months of May and June.
Best Time to Fish Ocean City
There are some species that are active all year at Ocean City, no matter what time of year you go fishing. Even though the best season for tautog is in the late fall, you may catch them all year in the waters near to shore and bay regions like Isle of Wight Bay.
The water temperature is one of the most important factors that influence fishing in Ocean City, and the general rule is that fish are less active when the water is cold and more active when the water warms up again.
Spring
In the spring, mackerel, bluefish, and sharks are all active in Ocean City. Mackerel are especially active in March when they travel in great quantities along the Atlantic coast.
The mackerel leave in mid-April and the bluefish follow closely behind. The bluefish stick around until the end of the season, expanding in size with each passing month.
Summer
The warmer water temperatures attract many types of fish, including sharks, bigeye, and yellowfin tuna, sea bass, flounder, wahoo, and marlin, making summer one of the most popular fishing seasons in Ocean City.
The white marlin season begins in June, whereas July is the best month for sharks in the summer. Hammerheads, makos, tiger sharks, and blue sharks are frequently seen foraging for bluefish around sandbars and underwater canyons.
Fall
Many of the same species that were active throughout the spring and summer months are still active during the October fishing season at Ocean City.
Common species such as marlin, sea bass, and bluefish will be present, as well as new species such as sea trout and Atlantic croaker. These fish may be found in close proximity to the shoreline, such as bay regions, jetties, and shipwrecks.
Winter
Winter is one of the poorer seasons in Ocean City for many of the classic catches. The fish begin to migrate south as the water cools.
The advantage of this southern migration practice is that it also attracts fish from the north. During the winter, striped bass is one of the species that migrate through the coastal waters of Ocean City and is a common catch.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Ocean City
These Ocean City-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Type of Fishing Offered |
| On The Run Charters | Inshore & Offshore |
| Chincoteague Bay Adventures | Inshore, Offshore & Bowfishing |
| Captain Pete’s Fish Tales | Inshore & Offshore |
| Just A Toy Guide Service | Inshore & Offshore |
| Saltwater Adventures, LLC. | Inshore, Offshore, & Billfish |
Ocean City Species Breakdown: Best Times
Haddock
Haddock, which is related to cod but not the same, is also plentiful all year. However, the best thing is that there is no off-season.
Haddock is a fantastic catch and great fishing since they are just as delicious as their relative, cod. They can be found all year in the deep seas of the Atlantic.
Sharks
Several shark species make their home in the seas near Ocean City for most of the year, providing an unforgettable encounter.
The majority of species may be caught between June and October, with the summer season being the best season for mako and blue sharks. They may be caught both on and off the coast.
Bluefish
The bluefish, while not as popular to eat as some of the other species we’ve looked at, is a fantastic fish that can be found in greater quantities around the Cape.
What makes them so appealing is that they will eat almost anything, making them ideal for novice anglers just getting their feet wet in the world of sports fishing. From May through October, they can be seen in large numbers in both deep seas and flats, and shallow areas.
For a complete breakdown of the best time of day to catch bluefish, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best seasons to fish in Virginia Beach, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best seasons to fish in the Outer Banks, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
White Marlin
The white marlin open is held in Ocean City each summer. Last year, the winning margin was over 80 pounds. The white marlin is built for continuous, rapid swimming.
The marlin is a sleek, muscular fish with a deep blue upper part and a silvery-white underbelly. Male white marlins are somewhat smaller than females and can grow to reach nine feet long and weigh 180 pounds. These are the prize fish of Ocean City, MD.
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic to create your combo.
Best Time of Day to Fish Ocean City
Many people believe that the greatest time to fish is in the morning, almost anyplace in the world, and Ocean City is no exception.
The fish go into a feeding frenzy as the tides begin to shift with the rising of the sun, and they show up in areas they wouldn’t typically go because the baitfish are active.
After only a few hours of fishing, many fishermen will simply set up onshore and have a fantastic catch. This is also the busiest time of day for fishing, so the fish will be under the most stress.
Large fish, on the other hand, will eat all day. So, if you’re looking for white marlin, waiting a few hours won’t damage your chances.
Ocean City Fishing & Tidal Impacts
An approaching tide, often known as a rising tide, is one of the finest times to go fishing. Water entering an estuary from the ocean can be cooler, have more oxygen, and be clearer than water in the estuary during low tide or slack water times.
While this combination of variables generally encourages fish to feed aggressively, bear in mind that wind and other weather conditions might influence the ideal fishing tides.
If you fish an inshore location while the tide is going out, you’ll notice that other anglers are concentrating on the estuary’s mouth.
Because game fish will frequently wait near the mouth of an estuary to feast on any baitfish or crustaceans that are washed along with the outgoing tide, this is the case.
Top 4 Fishing Spots in Ocean City
1. Surf Fishing. Surf fishing is one of the most exciting and rewarding types of fishing there is. If you do it correctly, you will find: Striped Bass, Black Drum, Puppy Drum, Red Drum, Kingfish, Shark, Skate, Flounder, Bluefish, and more species can be caught.
2. Anglers can cast their lines for flounder, striped bass, trout, bluefish, and tautog from the public piers and beaches of Ocean City. The Oceanic Pier, which juts into the Isle of Wight Bay near the Midway Shopping Center at the city’s southernmost end, the Talbot Street Pier in downtown Ocean City, and the Ninth Street Pier, which juts into the Isle of Wight Bay in central Ocean City near the Midway Shopping Center, are all good pier fishing spots.
Between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., Ocean City allows surf fishing from public beaches, with fishermen casting at least 50 yards away from swimmers and beachgoers.
The Coastal Highway provides access to Ocean City beach entrances and parking spaces for fishermen. Pier fishing species include: Seabass, Croaker, Flounder, Triggerfish, Sea Trout, Sheepshead, Mackerel, Tautog, Bluefish, Ling Cod, Striped Bass, Bluefish, and more species can be caught.
3. Bay/Inlet Fishing: A boat is required. There are several excellent Headboats available to take you out. Species for inlet fishing include: Seabass, Croaker, Flounder, Triggerfish, Sea Trout, Sheepshead, Mackerel, Tautog, Bluefish, Ling Cod, Striped Bass, and more species can be caught.
4. Offshore Fishing: For offshore fishing, you’ll need a boat and a nice one at that. Fortunately, there are numerous excellent charter captains who can put you on the fish.
Species for offshore fishing include Blue sharks, Bluefish, Mako Sharks, Yellowfin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, Longfin Tuna, King Mackerel, Dolphin, Blue & White Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, Longfin Tuna, King Mackerel, Blue & White Marlin.
Storms & Ocean City Fishing
In Ocean City and the inlet, the days leading up to a storm offer some of the best fishing. When the baitfish detects a shift in pressure, they will either migrate inland or to deeper waters.
As more people head inland, several animals, including striped bass, have a better chance of feeding frenzy.
When fall and winter hit, there are winter storms that will still bring much fish. Fish these early in the morning if possible.
Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Ocean City?
In Ocean City, winter fishing has its ups and downs. On the one hand, the winters may be bitterly cold, causing many fish to flee.
Some species, on the other hand, never leave the seas surrounding the entrance. You can have some success in the winter if you can endure the cold.
However, those species that do stay will slow down substantially, so the bite will not be as powerful or consistent as it was during the spring and summer months. Additionally, the larger fish will have gone on, making it less likely that you will catch a white marlin.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Norfolk, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
Night Fishing in Ocean City
In Ocean City, night fishing is quite popular, especially for striped bass. This is particularly true during June’s breaking tides. Anglers in the region look forward to this one month of night fishing on the inlet every year.
Night fishing during the fall or winter is less popular in Ocean City. This is because water temperatures are lowering, and the fish are becoming more lethargic.
Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons
In Ocean City, shore fishing is a very popular way of fishing. The greatest time to go shore fishing is in the early morning before the sun rises.
The larger fish come up to the shallower waters to eat at this time. The greatest time to go shore fishing is in the spring and summer.
Booking Charters in Ocean City
Charter boat rentals allow guests to enjoy a day of fishing with the assistance of a skipper and deck workers. OC Girl Sportfishing Charters, Restless Lady Sportfishing Charters, Reel Addiction Sportfishing Charters, Marli Sportfishing, Fin Chaser Sportfishing Charters, and Over Under Sportfishing are just a few of the charter boat fishing companies based in Ocean City.
Party boat fishing, deep-sea bottom fishing, wreck fishing, deep-sea trolling, shark fishing, and inshore fishing are among the activities offered by Ocean City charter boats.
Rates are lower when a group of individuals charters a boat to fish the seas off the shore of Ocean City for a half or full day.
Reservations for the dates and hours of your desired fishing expedition should be made with the skipper prior to your trip to assure availability.
Best Season To Go
Summer will be the busiest and most booked season to fish Ocean City. If you’re looking to book a more private trip or one with less competition, I recommend going early fall. The rush of the summer will be winding down, while many summer species will still be out in the waters.
Morning vs. Afternoon
This is a hotly debated issue among anglers all around the world: which is better? In Ocean City, the tides are increasing in the morning, bringing more baitfish with them, which drives the predatory fish to hunt. This translates to some spectacular action, as they can strike just about anything.
Morning tides also bring in deeper water to the flats, making fishing difficult in the afternoon tides. When you consider that most rain happens in the afternoon, it’s clear that the optimum time to go to the beach is in the morning.
Half-Day
A half-day charter is ideal for many people, particularly when taking a tour across the flats and marshes. A half-day provides you enough time to get on the fish while also enabling you to avoid spending the entire day on the water.
Depending on your guide and the species you’re hunting, you’ll have the option of a 4–6-hour excursion. On a half-day excursion, the most typical species you’ll target are tarpon, bonefish, and snook, while a few others are conceivable.
Full-Day
Full-day outings, especially on a deep-sea charter, have the best chance of success. A full day is almost necessary when targeting larger fish in deep seas, as journey time might take an hour or more, depending on where your charter is operating that day.
A whole day, on the other hand, is usually more costly. Marlin, wahoo, and mahi-mahi are also popular species for full-day expeditions.
Multi-Day
A full-day excursion, while not required, provides you the best opportunity of landing the bigger fish. Despite the proximity of the fishing areas, it might take many hours before you hook up with a larger fish.
This implies that a half-day expedition has a possibility of missing out on the big fish. A whole day excursion also lets you get a taste of the fishing at Ocean City; in the morning, you might go for inshore species before going on to the deeper seas, where the bigger fish abound.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Maryland, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
