Ocean City MD Inshore and Bay Fishing: Flounder, Stripers, and More
Beyond the Canyons: Ocean City's Inshore Fishery
Ocean City is famous for its offshore canyon fishing, but the inshore waters surrounding this barrier island town produce excellent fishing that requires far less time, money, and boat than a canyon run. The Ocean City Inlet, Sinepuxent Bay, Isle of Wight Bay, Assawoman Bay, and the nearshore ocean reefs all hold productive populations of flounder, striped bass, bluefish, black sea bass, and tautog. Many of these fisheries are accessible from small boats, kayaks, or even from shore.
The Ocean City Inlet
The inlet connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the back bays is Ocean City's most concentrated fishing zone. Strong tidal currents funnel bait through the narrow gap, and predators stage on both sides. Ocean City flounder hold along the inlet's sandy edges and around the rock jetties from April through October. Drifting white bucktail jigs tipped with squid strips or Gulp! Swimming Mullet through the inlet produces consistent catches, with fish in the 18 to 24-inch range and occasional doormats exceeding 6 pounds.
Jetty Fishing
The north and south jetties at the inlet provide walk-on access to excellent fishing. Sheepshead, tautog, and flounder hold tight to the rocks, while bluefish and stripers chase bait through the inlet on moving tides. The south jetty is more accessible and sees heavier fishing pressure; the north jetty requires a longer walk but generally produces better catches.
Back Bay Fishing
Sinepuxent Bay
The bay between Ocean City and Assateague Island offers sheltered water with productive flats and channel edges. Flounder, bluefish, and striped bass all use this bay seasonally. The Route 50 bridge pilings create structure that holds fish year-round — dropping jigs or live bait alongside the pilings produces flounder during warmer months and striped bass during fall and spring.
Isle of Wight Bay
The bay on Ocean City's western shore between the Route 50 bridge and the Route 90 bridge provides miles of fishable shoreline and grass flats. Small boat and kayak anglers find consistent flounder action along the channel edges and bluefish chasing bait across the flats during summer. The bay's protected nature makes it fishable when ocean conditions are too rough for inlet or offshore trips.
| Location | Species | Best Season | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| OC Inlet | Flounder, bluefish, stripers | Apr–Nov | Boat, jetty walk-on |
| Sinepuxent Bay | Flounder, stripers | May–Oct | Small boat, kayak |
| Isle of Wight Bay | Flounder, bluefish | May–Sep | Small boat, kayak |
| Nearshore Reefs | Black sea bass, tautog | May–Dec | Boat (short run) |
| Assawoman Bay | Flounder, croaker | Jun–Sep | Small boat, bank |
Nearshore Reef Fishing
Ocean City black sea bass inhabit the natural and artificial reef sites located 3 to 15 miles offshore. These structure-oriented fish stack up around wrecks, reef balls, and rock piles in 40 to 80 feet of water. Dropping squid strips or clam on high-low rigs to the bottom produces steady action from May through October, with the best fishing in the late summer and early fall. Tautog share these same structures during cooler months (October through December), hitting green crabs and Asian shore crabs on jig-and-crab rigs.
Ocean City's inshore fishery is the great equalizer — you do not need a 40-foot sportfisher and a canyon budget to catch quality fish here. A 17-foot skiff and some local knowledge will do.
Striped Bass: Spring and Fall Runs
Striped bass move through the Ocean City area during their spring (April–May) and fall (October–December) coastal migrations. The inlet, Route 50 bridge, and nearshore waters all produce fish during these windows. Trolling small swimming plugs or casting bucktail jigs along the inlet rocks are the most popular techniques. Fall typically produces the larger fish, with specimens in the 30-inch-plus class becoming common as the migration peaks in November.
Shore and Pier Fishing
- Ocean City Fishing Pier — Located on the boardwalk, this pier produces croaker, spot, bluefish, and flounder
- Inlet jetties — Walk-on access to some of Ocean City's most productive water
- Northside Park — Bayside park with fishing access to the Isle of Wight Bay
- Assateague State Park — Surf fishing for kingfish, bluefish, and striped bass on the ocean beach
Regulations
Maryland saltwater fishing regulations apply throughout the Ocean City area. Flounder, striped bass, and black sea bass all carry minimum sizes and bag limits that are adjusted periodically. Maryland requires a Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License for all anglers 16 and older. Check the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for the most current regulations and any emergency closures before your trip.