Fish Finder - Ocean City Md 

4.9/5 (139 reviews)
 Inlet Isle Lane 12940, Ocean City, MD 21842, United States

Join Fish Finder Adventures for an unforgettable shark trip! Whether it’s a family with children who are “crazy about sharks” or a group of seasoned anglers looking to hook into a monster, for more than three decades it has been Capt. Mark’s pleasure to introduce people of all ages to the fascinating world of sharks, without all the misguided hype that usually surrounds these incredible predators.

Captain Mark is committed to presenting sharks to his clients in a safe, fun, educational, family friendly, and professional manner.

Do we catch sharks on every trip? NO we do not! "Fishing-is-fishing" and despite our best effort (which we always give) sometimes they just won’t respond to our baits. Fortunately, not catching sharks is a rare event. But a shark trip with Fish Finder Adventures is so much more than just a “fishing trip.” Capt. Mark’s commitment to sharks has him participating in a number of ongoing shark research projects where they collect data, tag, and perform various procedures to sharks that helps researchers proceed with important studies. This allows his clients a unique opportunity to assist in “real” shark research, while getting a chance to closely examine the sharks before release and sometimes track them after.

The Fish Finder is a 40’ sport fishing charter boat, that provides a clean, safe, and a comfortable ride. There’s more than enough room for 6 anglers. Inside the cabin, the boat has an enclosed toilet, lots of seating, and v-bunks. Outside on deck is a huge fishing cockpit, and even more seating.

These shark trips allow us a wonderful opportunity to combine fishing with shark research and a hands-on educational experience for everyone. The emphasis is on learning about shark biology, research, habitat, and conservation.

Experienced or beginner, child or senior citizen, come share a memorable and educational shark fishing adventure with the crew of Fish Finder Adventures.

Mark Sampson

Captain

Mark Sampson

39 years of experience
 ID & credentials verified
 responds within an hour

Most popular features:

 Fishing License
 Live Bait
 You Keep Catch
 Catch cleaning & filleting
 Toilet
 Child Friendly
 Ice Box
 Rods, reels & tackle

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Almost there...
Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip May 21 - Oct 31
US $750 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (PM)

 Just booked! Last booked: 8 hours ago

FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Oct 31
US $750 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Full Day Offshore Shark Trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
10 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip May 24 - Jun 15
US $1,500 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
There are 33 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 139 reviews
Boat
5.0/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (223)

Great day on the water!
Great day on the water!
Great day on the water!
+220

Angler rating

132
6
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

97%

Appropriate for children

95%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

99%

Caught fish

91%

Powered by Ai
 
Review summary
These summary reviews were generated by AI based on recent reviews
Fish Finder - Ocean City Md stands out for its interactive shark fishing trips, where guests participate in live tagging and measuring, creating an educational and memorable experience.
While the charter delivers a hands-on fishing adventure, guests should be aware that weather and vessel size may influence comfort and catch opportunities.
What Guests loved
Keep in mind
  • Offers hands-on shark fishing with live tagging and measuring, providing an educational and interactive experience.
  • Captain shares in-depth knowledge about local species and marine biology, making the trip both fun and informative.
  • Guests have caught up to 3 sharks in a single trip, exceeding typical expectations for the area.
Showing 1 - 5 of 139 reviews
Ben S.
Ben S.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great day on the water!

VERIFIED
NEW

Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (PM) on August 11, 2025

Right from the start Mark and Jake were inviting and talkative. A short ride to the fishing area a little wait to a start but once things got going we caught a 7+ft sand shark, a hammer head and a few others. Overall their expierence and knowledge showed the whole time. They did a great job of getting us involved and if you ask questions they explained well and had some funny stories. Really liked that they tagged several of the sharks for research purposes. Overall cant recommend the Fish Finder enough we will defiantly be back. Thank you for a great day on the water!

Right from the start Mark and Jake were inviting and talkative. A short ride to the fishing area a little wait to a start but once things got going we caught a 7+ft sand shark, a hammer head and a few others. Overall their expierence and knowledge showed the whole time. They did a great job of getting us involved and if you ask questions they explained well and had some funny stories. Really liked that they tagged several of the sharks for research purposes. Overall cant recommend the Fish...  

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 Ben S. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md

Terry P.
Terry P.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Good day on the water

VERIFIED

Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (AM) on June 12, 2025

Mark is an excellent captain, and Jake is a great first mate. They are both very personable and informative. We were able to catch 3 nice sharks and we had a 10 ft great white come to side of the boat as Jake was bringing in the fish carcasses that were in the water on the side of the boat . It stayed close enough to the boat that they were able to be a tag on it. Coming back to shore, the Blue Angels were practicing overhead and all around us as they were getting ready for an air show on Saturday. A very cool day on the water. 10/10 I would recommend using this charter. Excellent all the way around.

Mark is an excellent captain, and Jake is a great first mate. They are both very personable and informative. We were able to catch 3 nice sharks and we had a 10 ft great white come to side of the boat as Jake was bringing in the fish carcasses that were in the water on the side of the boat . It stayed close enough to the boat that they were able to be a tag on it. Coming back to shore, the Blue Angels were practicing overhead and all around us as they were getting ready for an air show on...  

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 Terry P. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md
1 person finds this review helpful

Tim S.
Tim S.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great Crew and Fun Adventure!

VERIFIED
NEW

Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (AM) on July 16, 2025

Even with a slow bite we still caught Sharks! Both Captain Mark and First Mate Jake did everything in their power to make sure we didn’t leave empty handed. Experiencing catching a shark off of a kite was amazing! Not to mention hooking into a nice size Sand Tiger Shark right before ending the day! If you are looking for something different from bay fishing, this is it and we were happy with who we went with!

Even with a slow bite we still caught Sharks! Both Captain Mark and First Mate Jake did everything in their power to make sure we didn’t leave empty handed. Experiencing catching a shark off of a kite was amazing! Not to mention hooking into a nice size Sand Tiger Shark right before ending the day! If you are looking for something different from bay fishing, this is it and we were happy with who we went with!  

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 Tim S. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md

John L.
John L.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Best Shark Fishing Experience!!!

VERIFIED

Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (AM) on July 3, 2025

If you want to catch sharks, Mark and his crew are the best in the business. Mark was very knowledgeable, and his First Mates Jake and Kayla were very hands on. We caught some big sharks, and saw dolphins. Was a beautiful day out on the water we won’t soon forget. Can’t recommend them enough!! The sharks we caught were tagged, and given antibiotics for research purposes. Very cool and exciting experience. Still can’t believe I got to touch a shark!! 😎🤙🏻

If you want to catch sharks, Mark and his crew are the best in the business. Mark was very knowledgeable, and his First Mates Jake and Kayla were very hands on. We caught some big sharks, and saw dolphins. Was a beautiful day out on the water we won’t soon forget. Can’t recommend them enough!! The sharks we caught were tagged, and given antibiotics for research purposes. Very cool and exciting experience. Still can’t believe I got to touch a shark!! 😎🤙🏻  

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+12
 John L. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md
1 person finds this review helpful

Andrew P.
Andrew P.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Excellent experience

VERIFIED

Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (PM) on August 28, 2024

As a group of six from the UK 🇬🇧 we had a fantastic time with Mark and Jacob. They were really nice who took time to explain how the trip would go and nothing was too much trouble for us inexperienced anglers! We landed a five foot black fin shark and had great photos and memories that will last a lifetime. Would highly recommend and will definitely choose Captain Mark and Jacob if visiting again.

As a group of six from the UK 🇬🇧 we had a fantastic time with Mark and Jacob. They were really nice who took time to explain how the trip would go and nothing was too much trouble for us inexperienced anglers! We landed a five foot black fin shark and had great photos and memories that will last a lifetime. Would highly recommend and will definitely choose Captain Mark and Jacob if visiting again.  

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 Andrew P. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md

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FAQs about Fish Finder - Ocean City Md

What are the trip rates for Fish Finder - Ocean City Md?

Fish Finder - Ocean City Md offers the following trips to customers:

  • US $750 per group - Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $750 per group - Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (PM) (5 hours)
  • US $1,500 per group - Full Day Offshore Shark Trip (10 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Fish Finder - Ocean City Md?

When you book a trip with Fish Finder - Ocean City Md, you can expect the following amenities onboard:

  • Toilet Enclosed head - bathroom
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed V-bunks that sleep 2
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box for the catch+ice
  • Radar
What's included in the trip price with Fish Finder - Ocean City Md?

Trips booked with Fish Finder - Ocean City Md include:

  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Included )
  • First Mate (Tipping 15-20%)
  • Fishing License (Included)
  • Fly Fishing Equipment (Spinning gear also)
What types of fishing does Fish Finder - Ocean City Md offer?

Fish Finder - Ocean City Md offers the following types of fishing:

  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing
What fishing techniques does Fish Finder - Ocean City Md offer?

Fish Finder - Ocean City Md offers the following fishing techniques:

  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing
  • Drift Fishing
  • Kite Fishing
  • Deep Sea Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Fish Finder - Ocean City Md?

Top targeted fish species with Fish Finder - Ocean City Md include:

  • Bluefish
  • Cobia
  • Redfish
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Shark (Blue)
  • Shark (Hammerhead)
  • Shark (Mako)
  • Shark (Thresher)
  • Shark (Tiger)

Your captain

Mark Sampson

Ocean City, Maryland, United States

ID & license verified
167 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since December 2015
angler's choice

The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.

I've been working in the recreational fishing industry since I was a kid, first as a dock-boy and eventually as manager of an Ocean City Maryland marina. But since 1987 my "full-time" job has been charter boat captain and fishing guide. Besides fishing out of Ocean City and the Florida Keys, I also work as an outdoor writer, and a captains school instructor. Here are some highlights: Master - Captain and Fishing Guide since 1986 Founder - Ocean City Shark Tournament Outdoor writer - published in more than a dozen journals and magazines Author of "Modern Sharking" published in 2008 Guide for 20 IGFA world records and numerous Maryland state records Shark Research - tagging & data collection, Volunteer - National Aquarium Marine Animal Rescue Program Advisor - NMFS Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel Instructor - Three B's Captain's School

The fish you can target

Bluefish
Bluefish
Cobia
Cobia
Redfish
Redfish
Blacktip Shark
Blacktip Shark
Blue Shark
Blue Shark
Hammerhead Shark
Hammerhead Shark
Mako Shark
Mako Shark
Thresher Shark
Thresher Shark
Tiger Shark
Tiger Shark

What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
40 ft
Year built
1986
Boat manufacturer
Custom
Boat type
Sportfishing

Engine model
Cummins Diesel Engine
Powered by
1 x 450HP
Max cruising speed
16 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing

Nearshore Fishing

Offshore Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle

Heavy Tackle

Bottom Fishing

Trolling

Spinning

Jigging

Popping

Fly Fishing

Drift Fishing

Kite Fishing

Deep Sea Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet

Enclosed head - bathroom

GPS

Fishfinder

Bed

V-bunks that sleep 2

Live Bait Well

Ice Box

for the catch+ice

Radar

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle

Live Bait

Lures

Catch cleaning & filleting

Included

First Mate

Tipping 15-20%

Fishing License

Included

Fly Fishing Equipment

Spinning gear also

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included

Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.

Child Friendly

no min.age

You Keep Catch

Some fish are C&R only

Catch and Release Allowed

How you can pay

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

 Cash

 Visa

 Mastercard

 American Express

 PayPal

What’s biting in Ocean City right now

BluefishBluefish
RedfishRedfish
Shark (Hammerhead)Shark (Hammerhead)
33 people are looking at this charter.
Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (PM) booked 8 hours ago