Ocean City Md Striped Bass Fishing

The striped bass, also known as striper, or rockfish is one of the most popular saltwater fish caught at Ocean City, Md. Unlike most saltwater fish species, striped bass are caught during all four seasons; spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Productive areas for catching stripers around Ocean City include the north jetty, south jetty, Rt 50 bridge, Rt. 90 bridge, Verrazano Bridge, coastal bays, and beaches along Ocean City and Assateague Island.

Casting lures is a popular technique for catching striped bass. Popular lures for catching stripers include bucktail jigs, jigs with soft plastic bodies, metal jigs, crankbaits, topwater plugs, gotcha style plugs, spoons, and others.

Striped bass are also caught using a variety of live and cut baits. Around bridges and jetties, live eels and spot are popular. For surf fishing, anglers employ cut baits including bloodworms, menhaden, mullet, spot, soft crab, sea clams, and other baits.

Although fishing for these heavyweight gamefish can be very specialized, anglers occasionally catch striped bass while flounder fishing.

Striped bass make excellent table fare. Fish kept for the table should be kept cold.

Stripers can be cleaned using either of three techniques;

scale first and fillet, leaving skin on;
remove the skin first by peeling off, then fillet;
or fillet first and then cut skin from fillet.

Ocean City Receives 5 Star Beach Rating

In 2012, Ocean City Beach 6 was one of thirteen American beaches that received a 5-star swimming water quality rating from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

NRDC issued star ratings to 200 popular beaches around the country. The star system awards up to five stars to each popular beach for exceptionally low violation rates and strong testing and safety practices.

Criteria include testing more than once a week, notifying the public as soon as tests reveal bacterial levels violating health standards, and posting closings and advisories both online and at the beach.

Ocean City Beach 6 Superstar Beach Rating (5 out of 5 stars)

 * Less than 5% of water samples exceeded national standards in 2010, 2011, and 2012

 * Less than 5% of water samples exceeded national standards in 2012

 * Local officials post advisories without re-sampling

 * Closings/advisories posted online and at beach

 * Water quality monitored more than once a week

source: Natural Resources Defense Council

2011 Ocean City MD Sunfest

Sunfest is coming up in Ocean City MD on Sep 22nd, 2011. The event includes music, food, arts and crafts, hayrides, children's activities and more.

This popular Maryland festival celebrates summer's end and the start of the fall season at the beach. Sunfest is held at the Ocean City Inlet and along the beach. Admission to the festival is free.


For 2011, Sunfest has once again been rated by Sunshine Artist, “America’s Premier Show and Festival Magazine,” the number one traditional art and craft show in the nation. This is the second year in a row Sunfest was ranked as number 1. The rankings are based on audit reports, reader surveys and anecdotal reports from participating exhibitors.

Several concerts will be held during the festival. Linwood Peel’s Drifters, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters and the Del Vikings are scheduled to play on Thursday, September 22. Country star Jamey Johnson takes the stage on Friday, September 23. Country and pop legend Kenny Rogers is to appear on Saturday, September 24.

Tickets for all three shows are on sale at the Ocean City Convention Center Box Office on 40th St. in Ocean City. Box office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-551-7328.

For more information about Sunfest, visit www.ococean.com, call 410-250-0125 or toll-free at 1-800-626-2326.

Maryland Fall Surf Fishing - Spot, Croaker and Kingfish

As Summer nears its end, Maryland beaches begin to thin and surf fishermen begin their fall fishing season. Spot, croaker and kingfish are among the most common fish in Maryland's surf during the early fall.

Each of these fish are known to school up and feed heavily before moving farther into the ocean for the winter. Surf fishermen in Maryland sometimes experience excellent fall fishing for these 3 species.

As the runs of fish peak, a larger class of spot arrive, known for their bronze or yellow coloring. Spot, croaker and kingfish catches usually remain consistent until hurricanes or Noreasters pass thru. During the fall runs, spot, croaker and kingfish are joined by flounder, bluefish, sea trout, rockfish and others.

Fishing for these species is easy; fishermen need only a basic surf rod and reel in good condition. Tackle is basic, consisting of top and bottom float rigs and baits such as bloodworms, squid strips, pieces of shrimp, one of the processed bait products that do not need to be kept cold.

Anglers fish where ever beach access is available. Much of the fishing occurs on Assateague Island, where beach access is available to the public. For surf fishermen, the fall runs are one of the highlights of Maryland saltwater fishing.

Birdwatching on Assateague Island Maryland

Mid-Winter on Assateague Island Maryland might seem like the least enjoyable time to visit, but for birdwatchers, waterfowl enthusiasts and photographers, there are excellent opportunities to enjoy activities.

Assateague Island is a barrier island along the coasts of Maryland and Virginia. Access to the Maryland portion of the island is available at Assateague Island National Seashore. In addition, two miles of the beach can be accessed at Assateague State Park.

Both parks contain seaside beaches, coastal marshes, protected coves, and other bird habitats. The bridge between the mainland and Assateague Island includes a pedestrian walkway and viewing platform with scenic views of the estuary.

Among the most common winter birds seen on Assateague Island are mallards, black ducks, pintail, teal, shovelers, buffleheads, mergansers, goldeneye, scaup, Canada geese, brant, snow geese, trumpeter swans, and the ever present herons, egrets, and gulls.

In addition to waterfowl and songbirds, Assateague Island is inhabited by sika deer, whitetail deer, muskrats, cottontail rabbits, otters, and wild ponies.