Ocean City MD fishing report for the week of October 22, 2026. Fall is the changing of the guard around the inlet, with summer flounder tapering off, tautog on the structure and stripers arriving.
What’s Hitting
Tautog are on the jetty rocks, bridge pilings and offshore wrecks, and stripers are showing along the beach and the inlet. Flounder are still around the channel edges though fewer, bluefish and speckled trout are in the back bays, and sea bass are on the reefs.
Looking ahead, the next two weeks should bring more stripers into the surf and inlet, and tautog fishing should keep improving as water cools.
Where to Find Them
Fish the inlet rocks and the Route 50 bridge pilings for tautog, the channel edges for flounder on the falling tide, the surf at Assateague for early stripers and blues, and the back bays near West Ocean City for trout.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon building toward full, tides are strengthening and inlet currents are stronger. The falling tide at the inlet is the best window, and early morning has the calmest water. Check a current tide chart and the marine forecast.
Tackle & Tactics
Green crabs and fiddler crabs on a tautog jig fit the structure, and a Gulp or live minnow on a bucktail covers flounder. A bucktail or swim shad from the surf for stripers and blues.
Keep bait tight to structure for tautog, and bring extra rigs.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes the Inlet area at the south end of the boardwalk, ramps along Shantytown Road in West Ocean City, and Assateague State Park for surf fishing. Check current Maryland regulations and seasons before keeping any fish, especially tautog and flounder.
This Week’s Tip
Be patient on tautog. They stay tight to structure, so expect to lose a few rigs.
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