Visiting Ocean City Maryland

[fishfry]

Hi, I'm visiting Ocean City from July 4th until the 8th and wondered about fishing the area in my Hobie Outback. I'll be staying on 66th ave I believe. Any launches in that area? Bait shops? Is Assawoman Bay doable in a kayak? Species? Reasonable action? I've never fished for tog, are they around? Any good action anywhere in the area? Any help would be welcome. Anyone wanting to fish would also be welcome.
Thanks for any help
Jeff White
NC Kayak Fishing Association

[daolai]

I have launched at Sunset Marina and gone out to the channels and drifted for flounder. Flounder fishing should be the best thing out there right now. Croakers will probably bore you to death as well. If you search on the forum for ocean city there will be a lot of good threads on where/how to fish. Also http://oysterbaytackle.com/ is a great resource.

[HJS]

Over the 4th of July weekend???... There be a million people there plus a half a million boats, give or take. Wherever you end up going, be sure it's way back in the backwaters. Good luck.

[fishfry]

I should clarify... I'll be there the fourth but won't fish until the weekdays. I'm hoping that will help with the traffic but as I mentioned, I've never visited the area. That being said, any backwater areas and launch sites that you would recommend?
Thanks
Jeff

[Salty Dog]

You can fish the Rt 90 bridge by launching at the Isle of Wight. there is a sand area where the rock bulkhead ends. Note: launching at low tide it a bit more difficult due to the drop off.

[Slobber Bob]

Let's see, flounder is the main inshore target right now for most people. There should be some croakers around soon. There's always bluefish around the inlet area during summer. Same with hickory shad. Short stripers with an occasional keeper over 28" can be found close to the inlet. The tog bite slows as the water warms, but smaller ones will still bite from time to time. Sheepshead should be getting better as the summer goes though. Maybe some triggers and puppy reds will show up?

A couple easy launches are Assateague State Park, Sunset Marina (inlet), Isle of Wight Park as mentioned already,and I know there are a few launches in Ocean City but not sure what streets. I think one is Midtown and another on the north end?

Everything is doable on kayak, but use caution if you go into the inlet. It can get hairy and the current can rip. Some places are doable on kayak one tide and the complete opposite once the tide changes. Weekdays will be far less boats but it'll still be busy so stay visible! Lots of idiots and/or drunks out there in the summer.

A search should find you some old reports and info that might be of help too.

[lovett88]

You can fish the Rt 90 bridge by launching at the Isle of Wight. there is a sand area where the rock bulkhead ends. Note: launching at low tide it a bit more difficult due to the drop off.

+1 On this launch. I did this last July and caught A LOT of croaker! Not the flounder I was hoping for but it beats getting skunked. And they can still be fun on light tackle.

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

[ReelLucky22]

Whatever you do, stay away from the OC inlet and main channel. It's a mad house all week since people are down for vacation. Even worse on the 4th and weekend. People are down boating and are usually not familiar with the area and sometimes drink a few too many. On the east side of the bay and just south of the rt 90 bridge there is an area where a rental place takes people who rent jet skis so I'd stay away from there. I've been down on my jet ski and have had a few close calls with renters. I witnessed an accident a few years ago down there where a father fell off and his daughter behind him ran him over on her jet ski. He almost didn't make it.

Anyway, usually this time of year you can catch all the croaker you want, with some flounder, sea bass, and spot mixed in. I've always had success on top bottom rigs with either squid, minnows, or fish bites. Just keep an eye out for crab traps, sometimes they're marked with a buoy, sometimes not. Hope you have a good trip!

[mike o]

I was down there last weekend. Fished on my friends boat. Saturday skunked. Sunday 3 flounder, one throwback, one 16 1/4, one 24 1/2. The 2 keepers were on yellow gulp. It was very crowded in the afternoon but it wasn't bad early. I will be fishing down there over the 4th weekend crowded or not. Had my kayak down there last August and caught a lot of Croaker around the 90 street bridge. Launched right there by the bridge.big flounder.jpg