June 2025 — Ocean City MD: Flounder & Sea Bass Peak, Offshore Mahi & Tuna, Canyon Season. June is a early summer month with water in the 66-72°F range — flounder peak; sea bass season; offshore canyon fishing builds. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — June 2025
Primary targets this month: Flounder, Tuna, Sea Bass, Marlin.
Flounder
Flounder around Sinepuxent Bay, Isle of Wight Bay, the Thorofare, the OC Inlet, and the bayside channels. Bucktails with Gulp! trailers, live mud minnows, finger mullet on Carolina rigs. Slow on bottom.
Tuna
Yellowfin tuna on the canyons (Norfolk, Washington, Poormans) 50-70 miles offshore — yellowfin summer, bluefin spring and fall. Chunking (cut sardine, butterfish) at anchor, live bait drifting, or trolled feathers and cedar plugs. Heavy stand-up tackle (50-80 lb class) for the bigger grades.
Sea Bass
Black sea bass on the inshore wrecks and reefs (Bass Grounds, African Queen wreck), and the deeper wrecks 15-30 miles out. Drop squid strips, clams, or Gulp! on a high-low rig over wrecks and reefs. The deeper wrecks (80-150 ft) hold the bigger humpbacks.
Marlin
Marlin (primarily blue and white) on the canyons — white marlin is the OC headline, big tournament in early August. Trolled skirted lures (Black Bart, Joe Yee), rigged ballyhoo, or pitched live bait. White marlin is the smaller, schooling species; blues are the trophies.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 66-72°F. Flounder peak; sea bass season; offshore canyon fishing builds. OC Inlet moves enormous water; strongest fishing on outgoing for bait and predators staging at the jetties. Bayside flounder fishing peaks on moving tide of late spring through summer.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Peak striper inshore. Surf, jetties, bays — fish are everywhere. Live bait (bunker, eels) and trolled tubes both work.
- Fluke opens. Bay and inshore drift fishing — bucktail with Gulp! or strip-bait teaser combos.
June Outlook
Early summer apex — peak tarpon, peak red snapper opener (Gulf), peak striper (NE).
Regulations Reminder
Flounder: 14″ minimum, 5 per day (FL). State-specific elsewhere. Black Sea Bass: 12.5-13″ minimum, 10-15 per day depending on state and season. Marlin: HMS permit required. Blue 99″ LJFL minimum; white 66″ LJFL minimum. Most tournaments catch-and-release. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Oyster Bay Tackle (Ocean City, 410-524-3433); Akers (Ocean City); Sunset Marina pier shop; Bahia Marina.
Public Boat Ramps: Oceanic Pier ramp, Public Landing (south of OC), Sunset Marina, Bahia Marina (private launch fee).
Charter Fishing: $450-$700 inshore; $1,200-$2,500 offshore canyons; $700-$1,100 nearshore.
More Ocean City MD Resources
Ocean City MD Fishing Guide · Ocean City MD Seasonal Calendar · All Ocean City MD reports →
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