Rockfish & Bluefish Hot, Flounder Settli

Water Temperature: 62°F Bigger flounder becoming more active as water warms Flounder fishing in the back bays is still very good, but the fish are beginning to spread out more as water temperatures rise. That means anglers are having to spend a little more time locating productive areas instead of finding large concentrations of fish in one place. The key to catching flounder right now is simple—finding them. This week we caught fish in both shallow water and deeper water, showing that flounder are starting to spread throughout the bay system.

Perfect for beginners and casual anglers looking to catch delicious flounder in the back bays, inlets, and nearshore waters of OCMD. In Ocean City, the most common species you’ll encounter is the Summer Flounder, also called Fluke. These aggressive, ambush predators are abundant in local bays and channels from late spring through early fall. They lie flat on the seafloor waiting to strike live bait or lures that drift by with the current—making them a fun and tasty target for anglers of all skill levels. ? Where to Find Flounder in OCMD 1. Back Bays (Assawoman and Sinepuxent Bays) Flounder migrate into these bays as waters warm in spring. Look for them along channels, flats, and grass lines. Key areas: behind Assateague Island, the Thorofare, and behind Ocean Pines. 2. Route 50 and Route 90 Bridges Structure and tidal flow make these bridge areas excellent flounder spots. Fish the pilings and channel edges where baitfish gather. 3. Ocean City Inlet Prime area, especially near the rocks and channel drop-offs. Best fished on moving tides, especially the outgoing. 4. Nearshore Reefs and Wrecks (Late Summer) As water temperatures peak, larger flounder often move to artificial reefs and wrecks just offshore. Consider a short boat ride to spots like Russell’s Reef or the Bass Grounds. ? Best Flounder Fishing Techniques for OCMD Drift Fishing the Channels Most local anglers drift live or cut bait along deep channel edges. Let the current do the work, dragging your bait across bottom contours. Adjust weight to keep your rig bouncing just above the bottom. Bucktail Jigging Great around structure like the Inlet rocks or pilings. Use a bucktail jig (1/2 to 1 oz) tipped with Gulp! Swimming Mullet or strip bait. Bounce it slowly along the bottom—flounder will often strike on the pause. Bridge and Dock Fishing Cast toward pilings, let your bait settle, then slowly hop it back. Be ready—flounder often hit right beneath the rod tip! Ideal Gear for OCMD Flounder Rod/Reel: Medium spinning setup (6'6"–7') with good sensitivity Line: 15–20 lb braid with a 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader Flounder Rigs Used Locally: Deadly Tackles Deadly Double (It's one of our favorite Flounder Rigs) Carolina Rig or Fishfinder Rig: Best for drifting live minnows or finger mullet Bucktail with Teaser: Combo jig-and-hook setup that increases strike chances Best Baits in Ocean City Live Bait (Available at Local Bait Shops): Minnows (Mummichogs) – Top choice in spring and early summer Finger Mullet – Highly effective from late July through September Live Shrimp – Occasionally available, especially early season Cut Bait: Squid strips or flounder or bluefish belly—easy to use and stay on the hook well Combine with a bucktail jig or use on double-hook rigs Artificial Lures: Gulp! 4" Swimming Mullet (White, Chartreuse, or Pink) – A must-have! Otter Tail Curly Short Jig Tails by Squidnation (A local favorite!) Paddle-tail soft plastics on jigheads Bucktails in ¾–1 oz sizes for Inlet and deeper channels Best Times to Target Flounder in OCMD Late April to Mid-October – Prime season for flounder in Ocean City June through August – Peak fishing in bays, inlets, and behind Assateague Outgoing Tide – Often best as bait gets flushed out of marshes and shallows Early Morning or Evening – Less boat traffic, cooler temps, and active fish ✅ Local Tips from OCMD Anglers Don’t set the hook too early. Flounder may grab the bait and hold it for a moment—wait a second, then set the hook with a firm lift. Bring multiple rig setups. Switch between drifting rigs and bucktails to figure out what’s working that day. Fish light but stay in contact with bottom. Too much weight kills your presentation; too little and you won’t reach flounder feeding zones. Check local reports. Shops like Atlantic Tackle, AllTackle, and Oyster Bay Tackle often share hot spots and bait suggestions. Want to try your luck without the guesswork? Book a back bay flounder charter with a local captain who knows every channel, drop-off, and tide pattern in Ocean City. (Hint, hint... Book with me! We offer flounder fishing charters in 3 hour or 5 hour trips ) Tight Lines Folks!!! Capt. Dave Fletcher

We had a productive weekend on the water, and things are looking good for the upcoming season! Captain Dave and Mate Frank were out testing the bite and had solid success catching flounder using Deadly Tackle's Deadly Double Rigs in white and pink, tipped with white Berkley Gulp. The action was consistent, and it’s great to see the flatties showing up strong this early. In addition to the flounder bite, we also picked up a few nice tautog near the jetty and Stinky Beach, using fresh shrimp as bait. The tog were hanging tight to structure, as usual, but with a little patience and finesse, we brought some quality fish over the rail. Our charter boat will be in the water within the next two weeks, and we’re gearing up for a fantastic season ahead. If you're looking to get in on the action early, now’s the time to lock in your trip. Be sure to book your charter soon and keep an eye out for more reports as we get rolling into May! Tight lines, ~ Capt. Dave Fletcher