Maryland · Ocean Coast
STRIPED BASS FISHING
IN OCEAN CITY
Ocean City is an excellent destination for striped bass fishing, with peak season in May, November and good catches in April, October. Book a charter and target striped bass with local experts.
About Striped Bass Fishing in Ocean City
The iconic striper is the most sought-after gamefish on the Atlantic coast. These powerful, line-ripping fish migrate from the Chesapeake Bay to New England each spring and fall, creating legendary fishing opportunities from Virginia to Massachusetts.
Striped Bass — called "stripers" or "rockfish" in the Chesapeake — are the most iconic gamefish of the Atlantic coast. Their silver body with bold black horizontal stripes, powerful build, and aggressive feeding make them a favorite from Virginia to Massachusetts. The spring and fall migrations create legendary fishing runs as massive schools move along the coast. Stripers are found in both salt and fresh water, and the Chesapeake Bay serves as the primary nursery for the Atlantic population. They are excellent eating, with firm, white, mildly flavored flesh.
Scientific name: Morone saxatilis
Striped Bass Seasonal Calendar — Ocean City
Month-by-month availability for striped bass in Ocean City, MD.
How to Catch Striped Bass in Ocean City
Techniques & Bait
Live bait (bunker/menhaden, eels, mackerel) fished on a fishfinder rig or chunk rig near structure, rip currents, and drop-offs is the most consistent technique. Trolling umbrella rigs and tube-and-worm behind planer boards covers water during migrations. Casting topwater plugs (Pencil Poppers, Atom Poppers) into blitzing schools on the surface at dawn/dusk is the most exciting striper fishing. Fly fishing with Deceiver, Clouser, and Grocery Fly patterns during the fall run is world-class. Live eels drifted at night around rocky structure is the go-to for trophy fish.
Recommended Tackle
Medium to medium-heavy spinning rod (7-9 ft), 4000-6000 reel, 20-40 lb braid, 30-40 lb fluorocarbon leader. For surf casting: 10-11 ft surf rod, 6000+ reel, 50 lb braid. Fly: 9-10 weight rod with intermediate line.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Ocean City
Top spots where local captains target striped bass and other inshore species.
Ocean City Inlet
Ocean City Inlet was created by a hurricane in 1933 and is now the primary passage between the Atlantic Ocean and the back bays, funneling massive tidal flows that concentrate gamefish. Flounder, striped bass, bluefish, and sheepshead hold along the inlet's rock jetties and channel edges during every tidal change. The inlet's south jetty is one of the most popular shore-fishing locations in Maryland for targeting flounder and tautog.
Isle of Wight Bay
Isle of Wight Bay lies between Ocean City and the mainland, connected to Sinepuxent Bay and the greater coastal bay system. Flounder, speckled trout, striped bass, and bluefish patrol the bay's shallow grass flats, channel edges, and around the Route 90 bridge pilings. The bay's sheltered waters and multiple access points make it the backbone of Ocean City's inshore fishing scene throughout the warm season.
Assawoman Bay
Assawoman Bay stretches north from Ocean City toward the Delaware border, offering miles of productive shallow-water fishing for flounder, striped bass, and bluefish. The bay's grass beds, sand flats, and channel drop-offs create diverse habitat that holds fish from spring through late fall. Light-tackle and fly anglers wade the bay's firm sand flats to sight-fish for flounder and striped bass cruising the shallows on incoming tides.
Sinepuxent Bay
Sinepuxent Bay lies south of Ocean City between the barrier island and Assateague Island National Seashore, providing pristine inshore fishing in undeveloped surroundings. Flounder, speckled trout, and red drum feed along the bay's grass edges and oyster bars, with the adjacent Assateague shoreline limiting development and fishing pressure. The bay's clear water and natural setting make it one of the most scenic inshore fisheries on the mid-Atlantic coast.
Other Species in Ocean City
More fish you can target while visiting Ocean City.
Striped Bass Fishing in Ocean City — FAQ
The peak months for Striped Bass fishing in Ocean City are May, November. During these months, Striped Bass are most active and abundant in the Ocean City area.
Striped Bass fishing charters in Ocean City are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Live bait (bunker/menhaden, eels, mackerel) fished on a fishfinder rig or chunk rig near structure, rip currents, and drop-offs is the most consistent technique. Trolling umbrella rigs and tube-and-worm behind planer boards covers water during migrations. Casting topwater plugs (Pencil Poppers, Atom Poppers) into blitzing schools on the surface at dawn/dusk is the most exciting striper fishing. Fly fishing with Deceiver, Clouser, and Grocery Fly patterns during the fall run is world-class. Live eels drifted at night around rocky structure is the go-to for trophy fish.
No — when you book a charter in Ocean City, your captain provides all required Maryland fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Striped Bass regulations in Maryland include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Striped Bass in Ocean City, you may also catch White Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Black Sea Bass, Bluefish, Fluke. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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