Ocean City, Maryland fishing report for the week of September 24, 2026. The fall run is starting in Ocean City. The water is cooling, the mullet are moving through the inlet, and the fish are feeding. The full moon on Saturday is setting up big tides in the inlet.
What’s Hitting
What’s hot this week is flounder. The fish are stacking up at the inlet and in the channels as they get ready to head offshore. Sea bass are on the ocean wrecks and reefs, and bluefish are in the surf and at the inlet. Offshore, yellowfin tuna are in the canyons, and there are still some white marlin around. Tautog are starting to show up on the inlet rocks.
Where to Find Them
Flounder are at the Ocean City Inlet, around the Route 50 bridge, and in the channels behind Assateague Island. Sea bass are on the wrecks and reefs in 60 to 100 feet of water. Yellowfin tuna are in the Baltimore, Poor Man’s, and Washington canyons. Bluefish are in the surf and at the inlet.
Tides & Conditions
With the full moon on Saturday, the inlet is running hard. Fish the slower stages of the tide for flounder. Water temperatures are in the low 70s. Northeast wind can stir up the surf and the inlet this time of year.
Tackle & Tactics
For flounder, a Gulp! on a jig head or a live minnow on a drift rig, fished along the bottom in the inlet and channels, works well. For sea bass, a two-hook bottom rig with squid or clams. For tuna, troll ballyhoo or spreader bars in the canyons, or chunk with butterfish. For bluefish, cast metal lures or plugs.
Surf anglers on Assateague are also finding kingfish, spot, and small bluefish on bloodworms and Fishbites, with the occasional red drum on cut bait at dusk. As the water continues to cool over the next few weeks, look for the first schools of striped bass to show at the inlet and along the beaches, and for the tautog bite on the jetty rocks to keep improving.
Local Intel This Week
The Ocean City Inlet has a public fishing area along the Boardwalk, and the Route 50 bridge is a popular spot. The West Ocean City Harbor has a public boat ramp. For surf fishing, Assateague Island National Seashore is a great option (check park rules and permits for oversand vehicles). Fish are concentrating at the inlet and in the channels. Check current Maryland DNR regulations, size limits, and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
When flounder fishing in the inlet, try to fish the slack tides. The current is less intense, and the fish are more likely to be feeding.
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