Ocean City Maryland fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. The fall run is underway, with the water cooling and the fish moving toward the inlet. The new moon this weekend brings strong tides, which fish love.
What’s Hitting
Flounder are making their fall run through the Ocean City Inlet, tautog are on the jetties and the wrecks, and striped bass are beginning to show in the surf and the inlet. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel are around, sea bass are on the wrecks, and speckled trout are in the back bays. Offshore, the tuna and mahi are still possible.
Where to Find Them
The Ocean City Inlet and the South Point jetty are the best places for flounder and tautog. Assateague Island’s surf has bluefish and stripers. The back bays near the Route 50 bridge hold flounder and trout. Offshore, the wrecks and the canyons hold sea bass, tuna and mahi.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon brings stronger tides. The inlet will run hard, and the incoming tide brings bait. The northeast wind can make the surf rough, which affects the inlet fishing. Water temperatures dropping into the sixties will trigger the fall run.
Tackle & Tactics
For flounder, use a bucktail tipped with a strip of squid or a Gulp. For tautog, use green crabs or fiddler crabs on a small hook. For stripers, use live bait or a bucktail. For bluefish, use metal lures or cut bait.
The back bays behind Ocean City are a good option when the ocean is rough. The channels near the Route 50 and Route 90 bridges hold flounder and trout, and the water is warmer and more protected than the inlet.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes the Ocean City Inlet, the Ocean City Fishing Pier, the Shantytown boat ramp, and Assateague Island State Park. Fish are concentrating at the inlet and the jetties. Check current Maryland DNR regulations and seasons before keeping any fish.
This Week’s Tip
For tautog, fish tight to the rocks. Tog bite lightly, so hold the rod and set the hook as soon as you feel the tap.
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