Maryland · Ocean Coast
WHITE MARLIN FISHING
IN OCEAN CITY
Ocean City is an outstanding destination for white marlin fishing, with peak season in June, July, August. Book a charter and target white marlin with local experts.
About White Marlin Fishing in Ocean City
The white marlin is the signature offshore billfish of the mid-Atlantic, with Ocean City, Maryland holding the title of White Marlin Capital of the World. Smaller than blue marlin but acrobatic and challenging on light tackle.
White Marlin are the signature billfish of the mid-Atlantic, with Ocean City, Maryland proudly holding the title of "White Marlin Capital of the World." Smaller and more acrobatic than blue marlin, white marlin are brilliant fighters that spend much of the fight in the air with spectacular jumps and tailwalks. Their body is dark blue-green on top with silver-white sides and a lighter belly, with rounded tips on the pectoral and dorsal fins (blue marlin have pointed tips). The famous "White Marlin Open" in Ocean City is the world's largest billfish tournament with millions in prize money.
Scientific name: Kajikia albida
White Marlin Seasonal Calendar — Ocean City
Month-by-month availability for white marlin in Ocean City, MD.
How to Catch White Marlin in Ocean City
Techniques & Bait
Trolling skirted ballyhoo (rigged natural bait under colorful lure heads) at 7-9 knots over canyon edges and temperature breaks in 50-100 fathoms of water is the standard technique. Dredges (underwater teasers with hookless bait) attract marlin to the spread. Pitch baiting — pulling a teaser close to the boat to draw in a following marlin, then quickly pitching a rigged ballyhoo or live bait — produces more hookups. Live bait trolling with small bonito or false albacore targets the largest fish.
Recommended Tackle
30-50 lb class conventional trolling gear, roller guides, 30-50 lb monofilament or braid, 80-100 lb fluorocarbon leader, 7/0-9/0 circle hooks (required in many tournaments). Light tackle encouraged for the acrobatic fight.
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in Ocean City
Top spots where local captains target white marlin and other deep sea fishing species.
Baltimore Canyon
Baltimore Canyon is the closest major submarine canyon to Ocean City, lying approximately 60 miles offshore on the continental shelf break. The canyon is a premier destination for yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, blue marlin, and white marlin, and its proximity helped establish Ocean City as the White Marlin Capital of the World. Tournament fleets target the canyon's walls and edges during the White Marlin Open, one of the largest and richest billfish tournaments on the planet.
Washington Canyon
Washington Canyon lies south of Baltimore Canyon along the continental shelf break, accessible on full-day and overnight trips from Ocean City. The canyon targets yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, swordfish, and white marlin along its deep walls and temperature breaks. Many Ocean City charter captains fish both Baltimore and Washington canyons on the same trip, running between the two to find the best conditions and fish concentrations.
Poor Man's Canyon
Poor Man's Canyon earned its name by being slightly closer to Ocean City than the deeper canyons, making it accessible to smaller boats with lower fuel costs. The canyon's shelf edge targets yellowfin tuna, white marlin, mahi-mahi, and wahoo along color and temperature changes during the summer offshore season. It is often the first canyon that private-boat anglers from Ocean City learn to fish on their way to the deeper grounds.
Hambone (Hotdog)
The Hambone and Hotdog are well-known bottom lumps on the continental shelf between Ocean City and the deeper canyons, where the seafloor rises to concentrate gamefish and baitfish. Yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and white marlin feed over the structure during summer, making these lumps essential waypoints on any offshore trip. Charter captains often troll between the lumps and the canyons, picking up fish along the entire route.
Other Species in Ocean City
More fish you can target while visiting Ocean City.
White Marlin Fishing in Ocean City — FAQ
The peak months for White Marlin fishing in Ocean City are June, July, August, September. During these months, White Marlin are most active and abundant in the Ocean City area.
White Marlin fishing charters in Ocean City are typically deep sea fishing trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Trolling skirted ballyhoo (rigged natural bait under colorful lure heads) at 7-9 knots over canyon edges and temperature breaks in 50-100 fathoms of water is the standard technique. Dredges (underwater teasers with hookless bait) attract marlin to the spread. Pitch baiting — pulling a teaser close to the boat to draw in a following marlin, then quickly pitching a rigged ballyhoo or live bait — produces more hookups. Live bait trolling with small bonito or false albacore targets the largest fish.
No — when you book a charter in Ocean City, your captain provides all required Maryland fishing licenses as part of the trip.
White Marlin 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 White Marlin in Ocean City, you may also catch Yellowfin Tuna, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, Fluke, Striped Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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