With the ocean right there in its name, it’s no surprise that Ocean City, Maryland is heaven on earth for anglers. Deep sea fishing in Ocean City is off the scales – quite literally when it comes to some of the creatures you can catch here. The waters get deep pretty quick, with honey holes and monster predators as near as just 12 miles offshore. But the further out you go, the better it gets!
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to what makes deep sea fishing in Ocean City special. We’ll run through the top catches, the best techniques to use, and everything else you need to know in order to plan the perfect angling adventure. The city is stocked with bait and tackle stores and the marinas are full of charter boats. So let’s see what that means for you.
Top Ocean City Deep Sea Fishing Catches
Deep sea fishing provides the chance to land some of the biggest fish in the ocean. The Atlantic is full of tough-fighting beasts and delicious creatures, too. So wherever you head, you’re sure to find something to keep you entertained. Here’s our pick of the top catches in Ocean City.
Sharks
There are few places in the world as good as Ocean City for Shark fishing. Hammerhead, Tiger, Dusky, Sandbar, Bull, and Blacktips are just some of the species you can find on an offshore trip off Maryland’s coast. But that’s not all. Mako Sharks are also available the further out you go and, while you won’t target one, Great White Sharks – yep, those of Jaws fame – have also been spotted here.
Hit the famous “Bass Grounds” for the start of the Shark fishing frenzy. Here, you’ll find all the varieties biting from spring through fall. However, if you want the bigger creatures out in seriously deep waters, come in May or June for your best chance. One good thing to note is that most captains practice catch and release on all Sharks, and some are prohibited to target altogether.
Mahi Mahi
Revered for their dashing looks, delicious taste, and incredible game qualities, Mahi Mahi are an all-around fish. These yellow-green swimmers are a favorite for anglers all over the world, with trolling yielding the best results. You can find them just 20 miles offshore from Ocean City, with larger specimens out in the deep.
You’ll want a full day trip to make the most of targeting these creatures, with multiple days on the water also being popular. The longer you spend fishing, the better your chance of filling the freezer! Just come anytime from June through October and you can find them all over the Atlantic’s productive waters.
Tuna
Continuing with the trend of all-around creatures, Tuna are fish that need no introduction. They’re possibly the best-known table fare in the Atlantic’s waters, and everyone knows and loves them. But did you know how many there are? And how big they get? Yellowfin, Bigeye, Blackfin, and even Bluefin Tuna can be found in Ocean City’s offshore waters. And just to give you a taste of what’s in store – the record Bluefin came in at 625 pounds back in 1975.
That off-the-scales fish should get your pulses racing. And you should prepare for a serious workout to land any of these sought-after creatures, as they all promise to put up a fight. They’ll dive deep to try and escape your line, making you work hard to reel ‘em in. Of course, you’ll be rewarded handsomely with some tasty meat. Oh, and summer sees each of the Tunas peak, while Bluefin reappear for a fall renaissance, too.
Tilefish
Few fish can compete with Tuna in the food stakes, but there is one other jewel in the Ocean City deep sea fishing crown. It’s true that the deeper you go, the tastier the fish get, and Tilefish are testament to that. Head to the deepwater canyons and beyond to the continental shelf, and you can drop your line to depths of 1,000 feet or more to entice their bite.
Twenty-pound Blueline and 60+ lb Golden varieties are on offer within reach from Ocean City, and there are plenty of them to go around. But beware, you’ll need to bring your A-game to lift these monsters from the bottom of the ocean. Some anglers have even been thrown overboard, so make sure you’re ready for the fight of a lifetime, and you’ll reap some incredible rewards.
Marlin
You must surely be thinking “how can it get better than this?” But we’ve really saved the best ‘til last when it comes to what you can catch when deep sea fishing in Ocean City. Where better to target Marlin than the “White Marlin Capital of the World?” OC was given this prestigious moniker by President Roosevelt back in 1939, and it retains incredible billfishing opportunities to this day.
While these beasts used to come to the “Jackspot” 20 miles from shore, you’ll now need to go further. But that’s no issue. Extended full day trips or multiple days on the water in summer will see you take on a prized Marlin. Blue varieties also call these waters home, so you’re in for a real adventure. Both will leap out of the water in an attempt to wrangle off your line, giving you a full attack on the senses that you won’t forget in a hurry!
How to Go Deep Sea Fishing in Ocean City
So you’ve probably gathered by now that you’ll need a boat to go deep sea fishing in Ocean City. Thankfully, the town is full of experienced captains ready to take you out! But you’ll also want to know some of the more efficient techniques to land these trophy catches in the deep. Here, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most popular methods of fishing offshore.
Bottom Fishing
If you’re looking for a hands-on fishing experience, bottom fishing is for you. This effective technique involves dropping your line to the seabed or around structure and jigging or dragging it to mimic the movement of bait fish. On most deep sea fishing adventures, it can be hard to get your line deep enough, but the wealth of nearshore fishing grounds out of Ocean City means that you can try bottom fishing in the Bass Grounds and surrounding areas.
Sharks are a great target if you’re bottom fishing here. While chumming is an effective way of getting their attention, bottom fishing with oily bait is a surefire way to get them to bite. This technique will require strength once your target fish is hooked, but that just adds to the fun!
Trolling
Most deep sea fishing trips will see you spend at least some time trolling. It’s an effective way of spreading multiple lines in the water to maximize your reach and, thus, catch. You can use live, dead, or artificial bait to attract the attention of your target fish, as you sit back and enjoy the vast open ocean around you. And then bang! All of a sudden you’ll hear the reels screech and you’ll be ready for battle.
Marlin, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Sharks can all be caught when trolling, so who knows what could be on the end of your line! By using different weights, you can spread your lines to the desired depth for your target fish. Whether on a short hop from shore or spending multiple days on the water, trolling is sure to land you some impressive results.
Deep Dropping
There are no prizes for guessing what deep dropping is. Literally, it means dropping your line to the deepwater fishing grounds where some of the more elusive fish live. This is how you’ll get your hands on Tilefish, Swordfish, and more of the Atlantic’s most delicious fish.
Most deep dropping utilizes electric reels so that you don’t run the risk of bursting a few muscles or ending up overboard. But you’ll still want to make sure you can hold onto the rod, as these bottom-dwelling monsters are sure to put up a fight. You could spend hours waiting for them to come up to shore, so this is a real endurance battle. And as we said, the rewards are certainly worth it.
Fly Fishing
If you’ve never tried offshore fly fishing, you may think that it sounds strange. However, experienced anglers know that it’s one of the most exciting ways to land a trophy. Most charter captains won’t have their own gear, so you’ll want to bring yours. You’ll need at least a 10 or 11 wt rod to go against some of the ocean’s biggest creatures.
Sharks are a popular catch throughout summer, but fall is when it starts picking up for other species. Mahi Mahi come close to the top above the canyons in September, with Marlin also possible at this time. However, Marlin may require an even sturdier line, so that you can keep hold of them as they leap out of the water. Be careful, though, as this fishing is not for the faint-hearted.
When to Go Deep Sea Fishing in Ocean City
We’ve already briefly mentioned some of the best times to come for the top picks here, but you may not have noticed the pattern. All of the creatures you can target offshore from Ocean City peak in summer. That’s not a bad thing! Summer is when you’ll get the best weather and calm seas to give you an even better day out.
As we said, fishing continues into fall, and the resurgence of Bluefin Tuna in October prolongs the season, too. In other good news, the rules and regulations concerning deep sea fishing are relatively lax in Maryland. You’ll want to practice catch and release on your Marlin and most Sharks, but most other creatures are free to take home. You can check out all the size and bag limits here.
Ocean City Deep Sea Fishing Tournaments
You may also want to time your visit to Ocean City to coincide with one of its world-famous angling tournaments. These competitions range in size. The pinnacle of the season comes in the form of the White Marlin Open – the largest, most lucrative Billfishing competition in the world. There’s also plenty more to choose from, with species, age, and gender-specific tournaments. Find out which one suits you best here.
Anything else?
Another bit of good news about going deep sea fishing in Ocean City is that you’ll most likely head out with a professional captain. Most of the time, they’ll have your license covered for you. So, not only will you not need to worry about limits, but you’ll also have no other costs.
That means that you can focus on the fishing, and boy does it deserve your full attention. Seriously, deep sea fishing in Ocean City will provide the thrill of a lifetime. So much so, we’re sure you’ll be back time and time again for more. Now it’s time for you to try it yourself!
Have you ever been deep sea fishing in Ocean City? How was it? Let us know in the comments below. We love to hear from you!
