April

By mid-month deepsea bottom fishermen are happy to find seabass moving in to join tautog (blackfish) on the near shore wrecks. Inshore bay fishing begins to come alive as the first flounder of the season begin to bite, along with stripers (rockfish), and schools of snapper bluefish.

May

In May fishermen are delighted to find big bluefish on the near shore shoals 5-20 miles out. Of course with bluefish being a major food source for sharks, it’s not surprising that the end of the month also marks the start of Ocean City’s shark season. Blue sharks typically arrive first, but before the month comes to a close, the coveted “first mako” is usually taken, and sharking season is in full swing. Near shore wrecks continue to load-up with big seabass. As bay waters warm, anglers find excellent light tackle action with flounder, stripers, shad, and bluefish.

June

Considered by many to be the “month of the shark”, June is when most hard core sharkers get offshore to enjoy their sport. Most local species of sharks will be available to fishermen this month as will lots of hungry bluefish. Towards the end of the month, bluefin and yellowfin tuna will start to appear offshore, along with a few dolphin, and most likely the first white marlin of the season. Bay anglers will continue to score big on flounder, stripers, and bluefish, but can also now add seatrout to their “available species” list.

July

Warm July waters offer anglers a smorgasbord of fishing opportunities. In addition to what they had been catching in June, bay fishermen will also start to enjoy action with croaker, spot, and seabass. Offshore fishermen should anticipate excellent action with marlin, tuna and dolphin, and should also see some of the first wahoo of the season. Near shore trolling will likely produce plenty of bites by bluefish, bonito, king and Spanish mackerel. Shark fishermen will enjoy a variety of shark species including tigers, makos, hammerheads, duskies, Spinners, sandbars, sharpnose, and blacktips.

August

Just about everything that’s biting in July is still hungry in August! Anglers will, however, find a few new additions. Deepsea bottom fishermen find schools of big croaker and all kinds of 3-5’ sharks in the near shore waters, while clean water and lots of weed-lines really “turn on” the offshore dolphin fishing.

September

September finds offshore fishermen having some of the best action of the season with marlin, tuna, and dolphin. Near shore fishing goes ballistic as anglers find excellent light tackle opportunities with false albacore, bluefish, bonito, sharks, trout, and croaker. Wreck fishing for seabass and tautog begins to improve. Bay anglers continue to catch a variety of flounder, bluefish, and trout. Striper fishing improves as bigger fish start showing up in and around the inlet area.

October

Near shore fishing in October is absolutely outstanding! Some of the best seabass fishing of the year over the wrecks and fishermen should have no problem finding plenty of fat croaker, bluefish, and nearshore sharks. In October anglers find that the nearshore shoals are loaded up with false albacore and bluefish. Tuna, dolphin and a few billfish can be found farther offshore.

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