The town of Ocean City has a deep rooted fishing history that can still be experienced today in a variety ways. Whether you are fishing from the surf, on the variety of local piers, in our back bays, or chartering a boat offshore, Ocean City has many different species of fish that will be sure to peak anyone’s interest no matter skill level. In this blog entry I will break down a few ways to get you and your family in on the action.
One of the first steps to get your line in the water is make sure you are doing so legally! While a fishing license is required in the state of Maryland, Ocean City has a few designated areas that are set aside as “free fishing zones” where no license is required. However, anglers must still register with the state for free by phone 1(855)-855-3906, available 7 AM to 7 PM every day, or online here. More information on when/where a license is required can be found here.
Free Fishing Areas: (Do not require license) 1) Northside Park ( located at 125th street bayside) ~ This location is great for crabbing as well. Overall a great place to take the kids to experience their first catch! 2) Chicago Avenue bulkhead ( located on the bay between 2nd and 4th street) ~ This great spot has a wide variety of fish species to target. Included are flounder, bluefish, and croaker in the summer to tautog in the winter months.
Fishing by boat: Fishing by vessel is by far the most popular way to go and can be done several different ways which I will outline below.
Bring your own: Thinking about bringing your own vessel along on vacation? Do it! Many anglers elect to bring their own boats. Ocean City has several public boat ramps located at :
Assateague Island Park (Rt. 611 at Assateague Island Bridge) Gum Point Road (off Route 589) Ocean City Commercial Harbor (Sunset Avenue in West Ocean City)
More information on public boat ramps and trailer parking can be found here: Public Boat Ramps
Headboats and Charter Fleet:
Ocean City has its roots in fishing and has many great options for inshore headboats and offshore charter fishing.
Inshore: You have several options for inshore guided fishing trips. One of the best options is to book a trip with a local guide for you and your family. These local guides are highly skilled and will put you and your family on the fish. Links to book with these guides can be found here: Inshore guides
Offshore Fishing: Ocean City is known as the white marlin capital of the world! Every year, the angler who catches the first white marlin of the season out of the Ocean City Inlet is awarded a $5,000 cash prize from the Town of Ocean City. With the warm currents of the gulf stream a short ride away many large gamefish are well within our grasp. Simply give one of the many charter boats in our area a ring and book your dream trip! Be sure to book well in advance as these boats tend to book several months in advance. Links to book your offshore trip can be found here: Offshore Charters
Hopefully this helps you on your way to a great fishing adventure, and just remember, a reel expert can tackle anything!