Flounder in Ocean City: What You’re Catc
May 12, 2025
Ocean City
2 photos


Flounder
Trip Summary
Trip Summary
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