Captain
Mark Sampson

Member since December 2015 Sugarloaf Keys, United States
Background
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
Techniques
We’re happy to guide both conventional and fly anglers over the beautiful flats of the Florida Keys. Tarpon, bonefish, permit, redfish, barracuda, jacks, and snapper are just a few of the fish we encounter on the shallow flats that surround this tropical Island paradise. And if you like sharks the Keys is the place to be! From 3-foot bonnetheads to 12-foot great hammerheads, lemons of all sizes, blacktips, blacknose, and monster bulls, the calm shallow waters of the back-country is absolutely loaded with big predators that are just waiting for you to come down and play!

Hey, I'm Captain Mark Sampson

Sugarloaf Keys, United States
Background
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
Techniques
We’re happy to guide both conventional and fly anglers over the beautiful flats of the Florida Keys. Tarpon, bonefish, permit, redfish, barracuda, jacks, and snapper are just a few of the fish we encounter on the shallow flats that surround this tropical Island paradise. And if you like sharks the Keys is the place to be! From 3-foot bonnetheads to 12-foot great hammerheads, lemons of all sizes, blacktips, blacknose, and monster bulls, the calm shallow waters of the back-country is absolutely loaded with big predators that are just waiting for you to come down and play!
Anglers Choice
Verified

My Charter Listings

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(28 reviews)
Angler's choice
Sugarloaf Keys
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $250
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(143 reviews)
Angler's choice
Ocean City
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $750
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(1 review)
Angler's choice
West Ocean City
Trips from US $500

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 172 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (261)
Mark and Jake were excellent!
Mark and Jake were excellent!
Mark and Jake were excellent!
+258
Angler rating
164
7
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
95%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
91%
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Showing:
5 of 172 reviews
Liza H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Mark and Jake were excellent!

VERIFIED   Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (AM) on August 30, 2025
My daughter is crazy about sharks and so we went on this trip. She caught about six or seven spinner sharks and saw 2 hammerheads...
Liza H. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md
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Liza H. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md
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Ronald S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Shark fishing - extraordinary!

VERIFIED   Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (PM) on June 28, 2025
Captain Mark and his first Mate Jake were amazing. Talk about knowledgeable. He took us to his secret fishing spot where...
Ronald S. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md
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Ronald S. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md
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CHRIS B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (AM) on June 28, 2025
What a fun and exciting day!ย  Even with low visibility Capt Mark got us out safely and got us in some sharks!ย  Would highly...
CHRIS B. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md
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CHRIS B. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md
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Brian H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Fishing Trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (AM) on June 18, 2025
Slow start to the fishing trip, but thatโ€™s fishing.ย  The Captain and crew kept working the entire time and we were able...
Brian H. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md
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Brian H. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md
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Scott L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Day on the Fish Finder!

VERIFIED   Half Day Nearshore Shark Trip (PM) on July 3, 2025
We caught and released three enormous sand tigers.ย  The captain really knows the area.ย  Great time!
Scott L. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md
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Scott L. recommends Fish Finder - Ocean City Md
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