Ocean City Maryland & Assateague Island – Delaware Beaches – Ocean n Bay Fishing Report
By Sue Foster, Oyster Bay Tackle Shop, Ocean City MD – Fenwick Island DE
Aug, 26th 2013
Water Temp: 73.6
Fishing Report by Sue Foster
Flounder fishing was active though there were lots of "shorts" this week. More larger flounder were caught offshore. Short stripers were in the bay along with some nice puppy drum. Croakers picked up in size (just a little). Spot are still around. In the surf, kingfish and spot were still biting. Snapper blues showed up this week giving us some variety. Sharks were about. Oceanic Pier saw some nice sized trout and blues.
Oyster Bay is now open summertime hours 6 A.M. till 10 P.M. daily until Labor Day Monday. Then our hours starting Monday night will be 7 A.M. till 8 P.M. at the Oyster Bay store. Fenwick Tackle is open 7 A.M. till 10 P.M. Daily. Starting Monday night, our hours will be 7 A.M. until 7 P.M. E-mail Sue Foster at: Oyster Bay Tackle. online mall is open. We sell MD licenses at our Oyster Bay and Fenwick Tackle locations. De Licenses are sold at our DEL location.
(BTW, There's a mistake in the MD Fishing Guide about clamming. If you are out of state it IS legal for you to catch clams in Worcester Co. The state fixed the mistake online, but of course, thousands of Guides were already printed! I have had several e-mails about this.)
The Bulkhead at 2nd thru 4th Street is a free fishing zone. Keep in mind that the "Tall Ship" is there this week, so only half of the bulkhead is open to fishing. Enter the area from 2nd Street) You can fish here without a MD license but you still need to obtain a free registry. We can do that for you at Oyster Bay Tackle or call 1-855-855-3906. Keeper flounder can be caught there if you are patient and fish the slacking tides. When the tide is moving hard, fish straight down. It's plenty deep! If you cast out during a hard running tide, you will constantly get hung up! Anglers can also catch little sea bass, spot, croaker, bluefish, tautog, puppy drum and trigger fish. As the weather cools, tautog fishing gets better!
The Ocean Pier is another place you can fish without a MD License. You can catch kingfish, croaker, spot, trout, puppy drum, snapper blues, flounder, sharks and rays. You can catch anything on the pier that you can catch from the surf.
2013 Tide Charts are now available in our stores and online. Go to our website and click on More Fishing Info.
Flounder season is now open in MD- Minimum Size - 16" Creel - 4 fish open all year.
New Ocean City chart by Capt Seagull available: Buy at Oyster Bay Tackle or online.
White Marlin Open is over! To see the results check out the leader board. We got plenty t-shirts in both our stores starting at 19.99.
2013 White Marlin Open T's are also available Online. > 2013 Shark T's! In store or on Online.
Stopping in to Oyster Bay Tackle or Fenwick Tackle? Clip out a coupon for xtra savings! Coupons
Anglers continue to catch kingfish and spot in the surf. For kingfish and spot use a kingfish rig (small hooks) with a combination bait of bloodworm or Fishbite bloodworm with a little strip of squid or any kind of cut bait. There was a good run of bluefish on Friday in the Delaware State Park. A customer told me they were running 12 to 16-inches! Finger mullet on finger mullet rigs were the ticket. Several sharks were reported from the beaches after dark as well. Release them carefully! They like bunker, mackerel, or cut spot.
Here's a nice e-mail I got this week! "Thanks to your staff for all recommendations for fishing the surf! My 11 year old son Jake Zapata landed 2 spots on one cast. Not bad for his first surf fish. We used live bloodworms and every cast was catch. Really, no waiting. The bait Hit the water and then the fish hit bait! Fished all week at the surf at the Golden Sands 109th street and caught 8-10 fish every morning. We only fished from 7-9 am. Kings were hitting as well. Thanks again. Jake is from Pittsburgh Pa"
His picture is in our Surf Fishing Photo Gallery.
Many anglers ask about reading the beach when surf fishing. "Poppy" a very good angler has posted another very good description with pictures on Stripers Online. Check it out: Reading the Beach He draws it out completely! If you're not catching fish in the surf, you need to study this!
Our online mall is now open and we have: Trailhead Tire Deflators! We also carry the Oasis Trailhead brand.
Surf Packages, complete with sinkers. (Also flounder, Aqua-Clear, Swim Shad, and Got-cha Plug Packages.)
Oyster Bay Tackle and Fenwick Tackle saw a few fish this week!
7 year old Anna Leigh, 11 year old Ham and Wayne McPartland along with Patricia Erhardt from Lutherville, Md. fished the Jetty in Ocean City, Md and caught 3 nice 24 inch Red Drum and a 23 inch Flounder using Live Minnows as bait."
Matt Slentz came into Fenwick Tackle with an Atlantic Spade Fish, 5 pound 8 oz, 19-inches long, caught in the OC Inlet while Spear Fishing.
Chase Parker Sulecki of Wilmington; 3 yrs old got his picture snapped with two 15" croakers on bloodworms. Another 19"er was also caught!
Bill Ruth's picture got lost in my messages and just found it! It was a few weeks ago but a real nice puppy drum!
Vince Cannull snapped a picture of his crew and sent it to me: "Saturday afternoon in front of Lazy Lizard...(1st Street_ Main East Channel) many shorts...2 x 16 and 1 @ 23" 4lbs 12oz."
These pictures are in our Inshore Photo Gallery.
J.J. from the Oceanic Pier (410-289-2602) reported a good week on flounder though keepers were hard to come by. There were really nice sized trout caught this week up to 22-inches and some nicer sized bluefish. Hardly any shad... A number of short stripers have been caught, lots of spot, but only so-so on croakers. Been some sharks too. Nobody is complaining about the fishing at the pier! (You do not need a fishing license to fish the Oceanic Pier.)
Route 50 Bridge has seen some good flounder fishing by day. Anglers are lined up on the tide up there! Some tautog are being caught near the pilings close to the draw. At night the fare is bluefish, trout, and stripers. Usually blues come around on an East Wind. Striper fishing has been up and down.
Larry Jock of the Coastal Fisherman reports on Sunday: "Jim Lutz stopped by the office today to get a picture taken with the 23.5", 5 lb. 7 oz. flounder caught while tossing a Gotcha plug off the Rt. 50 Bridge this morning at the beginning of the incoming tide."
Lots of flounder were weighed in on Saturday. Larry Jock reports: "Jimmy Joseph landed a 6.95 lb. flounder (25") in the West Channel on live spot. Gene Stalls caught a 3.95 lb. flounder (22") in the West Channel on live spot. Darren Wroten weighed a 3.5 lb. (21") flounder caught in front of Castaway's Campground on Gulp! artificial bait. On the charter boat, "Ocean City Guide Service", Randy Brinker caught a 4.8 lb. (23") flounder in front of the Coast Guard Station on live spot. His son, Charlie Brinker caught a 5 lb. red drum on live spot at the Rt. 50 Bridge. Rich Daiker caught a 6 lb. flounder in the East Channel in front of the Cement Plant on live bunker. John Hoffman weighed a 2.1 lb. flounder caught on live bunker by the North Jetty. Steve Sablan caught a 1.75 lb. flounder by the North Jetty on live bunker. Big Bird Cropper weighed a pair of flounder (2.95 and 3.15 lbs.) that were caught by the Rt. 50 Bridge. Rick Estes caught a 2.25 lb. (18") flounder on ocean structure off 33rd Street on live spot. Bruce Dash weighed a 2.2 lb. flounder caught in the Commercial Harbor on a live minnow. Dave Baden caught a 4.35 lb. flounder on a live minnow while fishing on the "Alltackle Ocean City". Ron Smith caught a 2.55 lb. and a 3.1 lb. flounder in the Inlet and East Channel. Warren Lookingland caught a 1.85 lb. (17 3/4") flounder behind Castaways Campground."
On Friday, Larry Jock adds: "The flounder bite in the ocean is as hot as you will ever see it. The Old Grounds and the African Queen are on fire and many spots in between. I'm also hearing some rumblings about speckled trout in the bay. Keep your eyes open."
My husband and I went out to the African Queen on Tuesday and had 6 keepers. The biggest ones were caught on Spro Bucktails with cut bait or Gulp. Walter Moore of Oyster Bay Tackle was out there the same day. He caught his limit on flounder and then went in to Russell's Reef and picked up croakers. He said some guys were catching flounder there as well. On Saturday, Walter Moore was fishing just around the corner of the South Jetty and caught nice croaker and huge blowfish! I also saw in Larry Jock's report that Capt Skip was picking up short stripers at the South Jetty. Soon we'll see more keepers I hope!
Capt Jeff from Hellbent Charters e-mailed in his report this week: "We had some great weather the last three days to end the last weekend in August. Even though them kids are going back to school the fishing is still biting and with the great weather of the second season now is the time to head to OceanCity. The past three days provided lots of Flounder but only few keepers. There were some larger Crockers around but still not as large as we are use to seeing this time of year but lets hope we see the bigger ones come into the bay soon. There was lots of small Sea Bass all over the bsy and inlet. We caught some small blue fish and some of the largest Puffer fish I have ever seen. White Gulp was the choice of almost all the different fish this weekend. I still have an opening next Sunday so give me a call me at 717 574 4010 or email at helbentcharters@hotmail.com. Check out our website at helbentcharters.com. See you on the water."
Capt Jeff is one of the few charters going out of North Ocean City.
Dave Beall of Dave's Delmarva First Mate Service reported this week: "We had some good fishing this week at IRI on Trout (Weakies). I heard of a keeper Puppy Drum as well. The Flounder bite was not as good as it had been but there were some nice fish caught if you had the time to stick it out. I have said this before; you have to stick it out, be patient and wait for the bite. They will bite sometime and if you are not there you will not catch them. Target/ Structure, Tide change and constantly change baits until you find what they want. Have a GREAT WEEK, Dave" Check out his new web site.
Flounder and Surf, Rig and Lure Packages, Selection of Swimming Shads or Gotcha Plugs!
Crabbing was OK this week. Northside Park at 125th Street is a good place to crab. There's plenty spot fish to catch there too. You can also crab from the Isle of Wight at 62nd Street, Convention Hall at 41st Street, Jamestown Road (the whole city park side of the lagoon), 9th Street Pier, or Assateague State Park.
If you want to go clamming from the shore in Ocean City you can clam behind the Convention Center at 41st Street or go to Assateague. No license required for crabbing or clamming in MD Coastal Bays. We have been renting and selling rakes and vacationers are catching clams!
Capt. Monty on the "Morning Star reports on Aug 21st:
"Eight Hour trips $110.00 - 7AM to 3PM – Saturdays 6AM to 3:30PM - $125.00 LEAVE YOUR BEST POSSIBLE CONTACT NUMBER - Weather Cancelations Are Common - I Make Every Attempt To Let Clients Sleep In If The Weather's Not Going Our Way..
Be A Half Hour Early - We Like To Leave Early. Clients Arriving Late Will See The West End Of An East Bound Boat..
6,792 'Oyster Castle' Reef Blocks By The Rail. Now 2,084 at Jimmy's — 1,178 at Ake's. Soon Need To Fund Another Truckload. This is working, just need to reach a tipping point where others grasp the ability of small boats to build large reefs..
See ocreefs.org if you'd care to help fund the next truckload. Send a check – any check!
Greetings All, We've had fantastic flounder fishing of late. Doesn't mean we will tomorrow. Did have a boat-limit and got in early Tuesday. Very sweet fishing. Usually have 4 or 5 anglers limited with others catching dinner. Lots of spots open in late August. Had a heavier swell Saturday-last so I focused more on the sea bass to good effect; very nice bite. Still, a flounder won the fish–pool. This fishing's not for everyone. I did have a party of 4 catch precious few last Thursday: "Fishing's terrible!" Guys on either side of them, immediately on either side, were limited-out: "Thanks for a great trip Capt." What can you do..
Might anchor, might drift; Might be sea bass, might be fluke. If you only want a specific fish caught in a specific fashion — stay away. I will continue to fish for what's biting. "
Go to " Morning Star to read Capt Monty's entire newsletter...
E-mail Capt Monty at: Capt Monty about upcoming trips or to subscribe to his newsletter: mhawkins@mediacombb.net
Capt. Monty Hawkins mhawkins@siteone.net Party Boat "Morning Star" Reservation Line 410 520 2076 http://www.morningstarfishing.com/
Watch the weather.
Help and Donate to the Ocean City Reef Foundation! http://www.ocreeffoundation.com/ It's a 501c3 tax deductable .org
Capt Chris Mizurak of the Angler (410-289-7424) e-mailed in on Aug 12th: " We are sailing daily from 730am to 200pm. The cost is $65 per person which includes rod,reel, and bait. Please call 410-289-7424 for more information and reservations. Thanks and hope to see you soon!"
Capt Victor of the Ocean Princess e-mailed in on July 2nd:
"The Ocean Princess is sailing two trips daily 8am to 12 noon and 1pm to 5pm. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays the Ocean Princess also takes a night trip from 6pm to 10pm. For reservations or additional information call 410-289-6226."
Joe at Lewes Harbour Marina (302-645-6227) reports on Aug 22nd: "Plenty of panfish continue to please bottom fishermen in Delaware Bay. Small croakers are just about everywhere. Bigger hardheads were hooked by anglers who anchored right on heavy reef rubble or wrecks. Nice sized kingfish are still being taken on the Star Site and Broadkill Reef Site 5. ...Lewes Canal held lots of spot, many of jumbo proportions. Slot stripers and some other surprise fish also cruised the Canal between the drawbridge and train bridge. .... Flounder fishing in the Bay was challenging around the full moon due to strong running currents. There were only short windows at the beginning and end of each tide when anglers could drift properly. Sometimes, anchoring allowed boaters to stay on productive structure, and work jigs or rigs where flounders lived while the current was running hard. Some decent catches did come from the Bay on days with ok conditions. Last Thursday, Captain Brent's group on Katydid put 19 keepers in the box at Site 7. Brent boated a citation worthy 7.1 pounder himself. Bill and Charlotte Hughes joined Captain Vince on Miss Kirstin to capture their limit of nice flatties. On Saturday, Captain Brent worked Bay structure for 26 fine fluke. Geoff McCloskey and his buddies bounced Brown Shoal reef rubble for 8 good flounder Saturday. Katydid went back up the Bay Monday, and returned with 16 keepers for Bobby Bryant and friends. Captain Les on the Martha Marie hit Site 5 Tuesday, where his patrons iced 8 nice fluke. With full moon currents causing drift problems in the Bay Wednesday, Captain Brent chose to take Katydid to the Old Grounds in the Ocean, and the decision resulted in 18 keeper flounder to 6.25 pounds for his group. Captain Brian on Lil' Angler II fished the Old Grounds Wednesday as well, and ended up with 8 in the box. The largest was an 8.5 pound doormat landed by Joe Lucyk. Wayne Demarco and his fishing partners beat up the bottom between DB and Site 11 Wednesday for their limit of 16 flounder to 24 inches. Bucktails tipped with smelts were the downfall of many of the flatties. Offshore bottom bouncing was productive too. Jason Burris and friends had a nice catch of golden tilefish in the Baltimore Canyon yesterday...."
For more info check out Joe's entire report.
Anglers need a DE Fishing License to fish, crab, and clam in DEL: Individual Delaware Fishing Licenses are now available online
Stop by to the Oyster Bay Tackle location and buy your 2013 Ocean City Reef Foundation Charts. The donation fee for these charts are $50. $54 if you use a credit card. These charts pin-point all the GPS numbers for all the Artificial Reef materials that have been scattered near offshore wrecks, reefs, and obstructions. The charts give you hundreds of numbers to find fish. All the money collected goes back into the Artificial Reef Foundation. Come to Oyster Bay Tackle or buy online. (They are up in price, but all the numbers have been redone and the charts are in book-form.)
Check out the link on our web site to the local chapter of the MSSA. They are keeping us abreast on all the Fishing Issues. From our Oyster Bay Website, go to "More Fishing Info" on the left hand side, and click on "MSSA Atlantic Anglers".
Check the weather before driving hours to go offshore or fish the surf. Go to Coastal Marine Forecast to get an idea of the weather and height of the waves.
Capt. Rick Yakimowicz of the "Thelma Dale V" fishes out of Fisherman's Wharf. Here's his report from Aug 19th: "It has been a busy last couple of weeks here at the Wharf. The good fishing has continued all the way around and the summer crowds have been taking advantage of the good weather and the biting fish trying to get that last trip in before the kids all go back to school. Deep water Flounder fishing has remained very steady with the All-Day trips, Half-Day anglers have still been enjoying the Croakers and a real nice variety catch with several different species of fish up in the Delaware Bay, and the offshore scene has still been producing some beautiful fish from the edges of the Canyons.
Our Flounder fishing while not spectacular by any stretch of the imagination has been very consistent. We have been able to continue racking up decent numbers of some very nice flat fish on just about any given day and our tally continues to climb!
Jigging with the Bucktails or the Spro's and a teaser continues to be hands down the most effective method of pulling up these big Flatties from the sea trees and the rocks, however plenty of fish have fallen to the more traditional Fluke Killer rigs or the Jigging style rigs with a heavy sinker when the drift has been swift. I don't know how many limit catches I have seen with these setups in the last couple of weeks and I don't know how many four plus pound fish we have taken recently but I assure you it's been a lot! Our most effective bait continues to be the fresh strips of meat; Sea Robbin, Bluefish, Shark belly even Tilefish or Tuna skins have all proven very productive when the bite is on. There has also been countless fish who's fate have fallen to the magical Gulp when properly rigged.
Up in the Delaware Bay the news is still good with the Croakers as well as a nice variety of other species of fish. Capt. Mike reports that his Croaker action on the Half-Day trips continues to be very productive. While the size of these Croakers has still been a little disappointing, they have been very abundant at times and with the variety of other species in the mix, this has made for some very interesting fishing to say the least. Along with the Croaks Capt. Mike has been seeing Kingfish, Spot, Trout and even a few Triggerfish just to name a few of the fish that have recently come over the rail and it is not uncommon to see as many as ten or more different species on any given trip including the junkfish such as Toads, Sharks and Skates. This fishing should remain good long after the kids have gone back to school and will more than likely only improve as some of the bigger Croakers we are recently seeing in the Ocean work their way up into the Bay. The best time traditionally for this variety fishing has almost always been after Labor Day as the fish bunch up around the lower end and out into the Mouth of the Bay.
Our schedule will remain the same for several more weeks with the All-Day trips sailing seven days a week departing the docks at 7:00 a.m. and returning sometime after 4:00 p.m. Half-Day trips will likely see a reduced schedule after Labor Day and I will be sure to post any changes both through my report and on our facebook page. Half-Day trips sail at 8:00 a.m. and then again at 1:00 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday evenings they sail at 6:00 p.m."
If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the Wharf or you would like to book a private charter or reserve space on a special trip please give us a call at (302) 645-TUNA.
His full report and boat info is here.
Capt. Rick Yakimowicz Thelma Dale V catchfish@verizon.net"
Old Inlet Bait and Tackle (302-227-7974) reports on the 23rd: "They are starting to pick up some red drum on the beach at 3 R's.A few more trout caught in the inlet lately. Nothing big but its good to a them around in increasing numbers.There have been some spot in the Inlet lately too. Aug 19 -Hard to believe it is the last real week of summer. The kiddies will be going back to school soon. Bad news for them but good news for us - Fall Fishing is just around the corner. A couple of exciting items to report this week. First, bluefish in the 15 inch range were reported from the surf in Fenwick over the weekend. No spot or kings down there because of the bluefish. Whole mullet and cut spot were the best bait. Otherwise, there are still spot, croakers and kings on the beach at 3 R's and north of the bridge. As we have reported before it has been a strange year for bluefish especially on the beach. Hopefully they will be hear in good numbers this fall. The second big piece of news is that they have picked up a few more trout in the Inlet. Reminds us of the old days when there would be a run of trout in the Inlet in mid to late August.To that point, Kyle Miller of Boiling Springs PA landed a 5lb 10oz flounder on the south wall of the Inlet right next to the dredge. It hit cut spot.The striper bite is still at night on live fleas and small eels. Look for the early morning bite to pick up soon. Bluefish can be found in the Inlet on the daytime incoming tides but they are deep. Bouncing bucktails on the bottom has been effective on blues up to four pounds. Tautog, black drum, sheepshead and a few red drum along the rocks and railing. Don't forget that tautog closes on September 1. (In Del) The best flounder fishing is out at Site 10 and on the Old Grounds (southeast of B Buoy - 80 feet of water). Still a few hanging around in the bays along with croakers."
Bill's Sport Shop (302-645-7654) in Lewes, DE reports on the 19th:" Paul P, Ray and Chuck of BSS, traveled to Site 10 and B buoy and ended up catching many flounder, blues and croaker. Only 3 keeper flounder were boated the largest being 22”, weighing over 4#. Ron Capone, Milford, is on FIRE. He pulled four more black drum, up to 23”, on bloodworms and shrimp over the rails at Massey's Landing. Jack Kuprevich, West Greenwich, RI, caught a lot of croaker at Massey's Landing using bloodworms. Brian Smith, Dover, caught several speckled trout in Lewes Canal, the largest being 22”, and weighed in at 3.95#. Gulp swim baits was his choice to capture these fish".
" Pretty cool web site... Lots of pics, reports and descriptions and directions to get to some of those fishing places in DEL everyone talks about but you might wonder where they are! The site is DSF Delware Surf Fishing. (http://delaware-surf-fishing.com)
Capt.Dan Stauffer (866-623-4746) of the Fin Chaser does wreck, inlet and trolling trips. Here's a couple of his reports from this week:
"08/21/13 Out with a family of three in flat calm conditions for a day of offshore fishing. Worked an area that has produced several marlin over our last few trips, but today, we couldn’t raise any. About two hours into the day I notice two balls in the distance so I paddle that way to check them out. The first is bare but I can see some splashing around the second. As we pull past a small mahi comes leaping into the spread. before he can get the bait a nicer fish comes tight on one of our flat lines. A few seconds later a very nice fish grabs our mid-rigger. A few minutes later we have our first two fish on the box. About the same time I get a call from a fellow capt. telling me of a little yellowfin bite going on where he is. The family decides to make the 10 mile run. A few minutes after we arrive there’s a huge explosion on one of our spreader bars but the fish misses the hook. The next few “boils” I suspect are small skipjack tunas. Finally there’s another huge blast and we have Mike’s first yellowfin on the line. Fifteen minutes later Dave puts the 45 lb. fish in the box. While all this action was happening we didn’t take notice to the increase in the breeze. Wishing to avoid a choppy ride home for their youngster the parents decide to call it a day and head back.
08/19/13 Headed to the deep to fish some gear a buddy of mine found a couple days ago. Before we even got close to where the gear was to be, a blue marlin grabs our long rigger and take off running. Unfortunately, the blue threw the hook in mid-flight. Continued east to the numbers I was given only to find the gear must have been hauled and reset elsewhere. With a few hours already wasted, the guys ask if we could do some deep-dropping. Ran north to my tilefish hole and sent the rigs down 700'. Current was HORRIBLE and nearly 3 lbs. of lead was needed to grab bottom. The fish were chewing but the guys were having trouble knowing when to strike. Managed to put four nice goldens in the box before it was time to head home."
Larry Jock of the Coastal Fisherman reports from offshore on Friday: ""LunaSea" had 27 yellowfins and a 110 lb. mako shark in the Washington. Charter boat, "Moore Bills" weighed a 165 lb. bigeye caught at the 800/800. "Sea Slammer" weighed a 69 lb. white marlin caught in the Norfolk. "Blood Money" weighed a 59 lb. white marlin that didn't qualify."
Wilson Cropp Charters and Guide Service. Cape Charles, VA- 1-434-531-6376) Stripers....Flounder....Drum... Speckled Trout....Tog... Eco tours as well.
Dave Beall has retired from his "real job" and has set up a little local First Mate Service. I have a lot of anglers ask to pay someone to go out with them on their new boat and show them the waters and how to fish. I also have anglers that would like to pay someone to teach them how to fish off the beach. Check out his new web site.
(Just a note to say to my readers that many of my fishing reports are from other anglers and party boats that come over my e-mail. When I "copy/paste" their reports I try to leave them intact. It keeps the fishing reports lively and interesting. But any comments/politics within the quotes are their comments and views, and not necessarily mine.)
Need info on where, how, when to fish, crab, and clam? Go to Drifting Easy Archives and READ UP! It's all in there and it's FREE!!!!!!
James A. Donofrio, executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance has been actively working on the fisheries crisis. The RFA believes the future of our fisheries is dependent on fixing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act which has laid down strict time-frames that do not take into account livelihoods and that a fishery is rebounding steadily.
Need to tie a knot? Click Here. This is really cool! You can also click Here!
Maryland Fishing License
Anglers fishing in Ocean City will need to purchase a saltwater fishing license. This license will cover both the Chesapeake Bay and the coastal waters and surf of Ocean City and Assateague Island. Yes, this includes surf fishing. If you already have a Chesapeake Bay Saltwater license you are good to go! Anglers will be able to purchase the license online or come to Oyster Bay Tackle to purchase one. Please bring cash to buy your fishing license in our store. If you go online, Logon if you have ever had a MD fishing or hunting license in the past or Enroll if you never had. Fill in all the information and click on "Purchase License" The license you want to choose is "Bay and Coastal Sport" You can either choose a year-round or 7-day. If you know you are coming to Ocean City,and you want to get it done ahead of time you can also call a toll free number (1-855-855-3906) or print and mail in an application. Boat Licenses: $50 and everyone on your boat can go fishing without a license. You will get a personal license along with your boat license, so you can go shore fishing as well. They will send you your sticker for your boat in the mail. If you come to Oyster Bay Tackle, we have the 2013 stickers for sale.
Mail the application to their main office:
Maryland Dept. of Natural resources Annapolis Service Center P.O. Box 1869 1804 West Street, Suite 300 Annapolis, MD 21401
If you are going to be fishing on a private boat with someone who has a Boat License, you don't have to buy a license, but you do have to register online. This is free and is done on the same site that you would buy a license. Logon if you have ever had a MD fishing or hunting license or Enroll if you never had. Fill in all the information and click on "Obtain Registration" to print your free registration. Print out your number and keep an id with you when you go fishing. You can also call 1-855-855-3906 during daytime hours. Be sure to write down the number they give you. That will be your temporary license. (You also need to get a free registration if you fish one of the free fishing areas in Ocean City.)
Another interesting note about the license is that if you buy a VA license, it is good in MD, and vice versa. If you are fishing in MD with a VA licence you do need to register with MD online. Again, this is free. This is so each state can "try" to figure out "how many" fish are being caught in their own individual states. (VA Free Registry)
If you want to go fishing in Ocean City without a license, your choices will be the "Oceanic Pier," the "Ocean Pier" or to go fishing on a party or charter boat. You can now go fishing in one of the "free zones." 2nd through 4th Street Bulkhead or Northside Park. (You need the free MD registry to fish in these two areas.) Come to Oyster Bay Tackle and we can do that for you. You can also go crabbing and clamming in Ocean City without a license. Or you can fish off your own private dock.
Ocean City now has two free fishing zones. The bulkhead from 2nd to 4th Street (Chicago Ave.) and the Northside Park at 125th Street. You do not need a license in these two places but you do need a "free registry." Go here to register online. This is free and can also be done over the phone during daytime hours of 7-7 at 1-855-855-3906. We can also do your free registry at Oyster Bay Tackle.
Senior citizens 65 and older. Cost is $5 if you have a MD driver's license and are a resident of MD, but if you are a non-resident there is no break. No break for boat licenses either. $50 resident or non-resident.
Contact Info If you have any questions regarding Maryland's sport fishing license requirements, you may contact Fisheries Service via e mail: customerservice@dnr.state.md.us or by calling (410-656-9526).
Following is the fee schedule for 2012 & 2013:
Senior License (year round) - $5.00 Resident License (year round) - $15.00 Resident License (7-day) - $6.00 Non-resident (year round) - $22.50 Non- resident (7-day) - $12.00 Pleasure Boat Decal (covers everyone on boat - year round) - $50.00 Commercial Fishing Pier License (year round) - $290.00
No license is required for: Boat decal passengers Those fishing in "free fishing" areas Those fishing from their waterfront properties Anglers under 16 years old Anglers fishing on a licensed charter, party or guide boat Anglers fishing commercially under a valid license
For more information, log onto www.dnr.state.md.us
If you have any fish reports please e-mail Sue Foster at: Oyster Bay Tackle. E-mail me your name and where you are from so we can put you in our weekly fish reports!
E-mail Sue Foster at: Oyster Bay Tackle if you have any questions about our inventory or if you want to place an order for an item we do not have on-line.
Holiday Shopping Coupons
Good fishing...
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