This article provides saltwater fishing techniques, species overviews, and other information related to fishing in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, tidal rivers, inshore and offshore fishing from Ocean City and Maryland's coastal bays.
Maryland has a wide variety of saltwater fishing. From striped bass fishing on the Susquehanna Flats, down to the state line in the Chesapeake Bay, and From Fenwick Island to Virginia along the coast.
Chesapeake Bay fishing varies widely lots of different environments. Anglers in the bay can fish with bait, artificial lures, employ fly fishing or other techniques.
Over on the ocean side there is surf fishing, jetty fishing, inshore fishing for flounder, trout, bluefish, and others. The open ocean offers anglers a chance to try wreck fishing, offshore fishing, deep dropping, and other activities.
Maryland Flounder Fishing
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| Flounder |
Maryland is well known for its flounder fishing opportunities. Much of the fishing occurs in coastal bays and inshore ocean waters. A separate fishery occurs in the Chesapeake Bay.
Many anglers target flounder and some fish exclusively for these delicious fish. Some anglers target flounder only in certain seasons while others choose to fish the entire season. Fishing varies with season, weather, tides, location and water quality.
Flounder fishing is a spring ritual for many anglers. Locals and visitors alike begin the fishing season each year by drifting the bays and creeks for flounder. The first flounder may arrive along the coast in April, but the main spring run usually peaks in May.
Several key factors affect spring flounder fishing. Water temperature seems to play a critical role in the spring. A rule of thumb is to find water temperature above 55 degrees although fish are sometimes caught in cooler water. Tides and currents are also big factors and every serious angler has their preferred state of tide for a given location.
Flounder fishing changes as the water warms. The movements of flounder decrease and anglers settle into a summer pattern, enjoying the warm days on the bay.
Visiting local tackle shops are an excellent way to get up to date information on local fishing. Tackle shops have flounder fishing rigs, tackle, bait and up to date reports. In addition, some shops rent boats, book fishing charters, guided trips, nature cruises or other adventures.
In mid-summer, flounder are sometimes caught on the many wrecks, shoals and artificial reefs along the coast. Fishing is sporadic but catches can be good when flounder are located. The Artificial reefs off the coast of Maryland yield some excellent catches of flounder.
In summer, flounder are also caught by anglers fishing the surf. This fishery requires only a rod, rod holder and basic tackle, no boat is needed!
Maryland Offshore Fishing
Ocean City Maryland is world famous for offshore fishing. Private boats and fishing charters target a variety of tuna, dolphin (mahi mahi), wahoo, billfish, and other species.
The city proclaims itself the "white marlin capital of the world" and hosts one of the nation's top marlin fishing tournaments. To serve fishermen, the harbors are home to hundreds of fishing charter boats.
In the summer months, fishing can be excellent. Inshore fishing spots include the Jackspot, Hot Dog, Parking Lot, and other hot spots as well as deep sea structure including the Wilmington, Baltimore, Poor Man's, Washington, and Norfolk Canyons. These hotspots vary from around 25 to over 100 nautical miles from port.
Anglers may target bluefin tuna and bluefish along the 20 fathom line in the early season. Yellowfin tuna are sought in deeper water for the most part, often being caught in water from 30 to 100 fathoms. In addition to bluefin and yellowfin tuna, anglers catch bigeye, skipjack and longfin albacore tuna, dolphin fish, wahoo, billfish, and sharks.
Of interest to many anglers are the trips that reach the offshore canyons. Just before reaching the canyon walls are slopes that are often very productive areas. Near the canyon walls, the bottom becomes steeper and rockier. Fish congregate along the drop offs to catch food that is caught in the hard running current.
Along the edges are lobster traps which are marked by orange buoys or "lobster balls". The buoys attract dolphin fish which in turn attract the larger marlin, swordfish and sharks which feed on them heavily. A trip by a buoy can be uneventful, or one or more lines might be attacked by mahi mahi, tuna, marlin, or other fish.
In the deepwater canyons and surrounding areas, anglers also bottom fish for species such as tilefish, sea bass, hake, and other bottom dwellers. The world record golden tilefish was caught in 2007 off the coast of Maryland. The fish weighed 59 pounds, 3 ounces.
Late August and September often feature the best fishing with anglers seeing larger numbers of tuna as well as an influx of wahoo and bull dolphin. Offshore fishing continues into October, when windy weather and falling water temperatures make fishing less productive.
Maryland Inshore Saltwater Fish
Striped Bass - Rockfish
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| Striped Bass |
The striped bass is the state fish of Maryland and the state's most popular inshore saltwater fish. Also known as rockfish or striper, the striped bass is a very hardy fish, and even takes to life in freshwater. Striped bass are stocked in several Maryland lakes.
Rigs and baits for striped bass vary with location and season. Anglers fish live baits such as spot and eels or troll, jig, cast artificial lures and fly fish for striped bass around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and other spots. The action is nearly year round with populations of local fish as well as migrating schools of rockfish.
Striped bass vary from around 18 inches to over monster fish of 50 inches or more. During the cooler months anglers come to Maryland from all over to enjoy some of the best striped bass fishing in the world.
Black Sea Bass
Black sea bass are among the most popular fish caught off the Maryland coast. Anglers fish year round for this exceptionally delicious fish, although the fish migrate to deeper water in winter. Peak fishing is usually May and early June and again in the fall.
In the spring, ocean wrecks, reefs, and rough bottom usually hold the most fish. Bigger fish can sometimes be enticed by using larger baits. Favorite rigs for bigger fish include single hook rigs with a whole squid for bait, large bucktail jigs with squid strips and large metal jigs. The larger baits often catch fish with a higher average weight.
Black sea bass are excellent cooked. The meat is firm, white and delicious and can be fried, grilled, baked or broiled.
Tautog
Tautog live in structure such as rocky bottoms, wrecks and reefs. Their preference for structure makes them an ideal inshore species when fishing in the lower Chesapeake Bay and along the coast.
Tackle and techniques are simple and no prior experience is needed to catch these tasty fish. They vary in size from about 12 inches to perhaps 12 lbs or more. They are very tough fighters and excellent table fare.
Atlantic Croaker
Atlantic croaker are popular saltwater fish caught in the Chesapeake and along the coast of Maryland. Croaker or "hardhead" are named because of the "croaking" noise they make. Croakers fight hard and prolific feeders. They are caught on baits such as squid, crabs, clams or bloodworms. Croakers are often caught in large numbers.
Spot
Spot occur in the Chesapeake Bay and along estuaries and coastal waters. Spot are fun to catch and a great fish for anglers of all ages. Anglers seek spot both as a baitfish and because of their excellent value as a seafood delicacy.
Spot are caught using standard 2 hook rigs, using small hooks and small pieces of bait. Popular baits include bloodworms, shrimp, clam and synthetic bloodworm type baits. Spot may also be caught with small jigs or Sabiki rigs.
Kingfish
The southern kingfish, or whiting, is a member of the croaker family. Kingfish have an elongated body and a characteristic single chin barbel. Coloration varies somewhat with habitat, but it is generally gray to brown above with silver undersides and 6-8 broad lateral bars.
Kingfish are an excellent food fish and are sought after by bottom fishermen and surf anglers. These fish are found on sandy bottoms, entering inshore areas in summer.
Red Drum
Red drum can be caught in a number of ways. A popular technique for catching red drum along the Maryland coast is to bottom fish with cut spot, menhaden, peeler crab or other baits. Anglers use a fish finder or other rig and sometimes fish into the evening for large bull red drum.
A second fishery along the coast and the Chesapeake Bay exists for "puppy drum" which are smaller red drum. These fish are exciting to catch, usually by casting artificial lures around structure or by fishing baits in shallow water areas.
Bluefish
Bluefish are commonly caught in Maryland. They are sometimes found in large schools off the coast where they are known for their sharp teeth and ability to destroy even the strongest tackle. Anglers troll, jig, cast artificial lures, and fly fish for bluefish. The fish have dark, oily meat but are excellent smoked.
Related Information
Ocean City Maryland Saltwater Fishing
