Three Buoys Tackle Shop & Outfitter • Elkton, MD Free 2-Day Shipping in DMV on Orders $75+
Three Buoys Fishing Tackle

DMV Direct Shipping

Headquartered in Elkton, MD

ATLANTIC INLET, SURF & BAY TACKLE DESTINATION

Ocean City & Coastal Atlantic Fishing Guide

Complete technical guide to Ocean City Inlet, Assateague Island surf beaches, Isle of Wight Bay, Sinepuxent Bay, and 12-Mile offshore reefs. Featuring specific lure selection recipes, NOAA tide telemetry, public boat ramps, and species setups.

NOAA TIDE STATION #8570283 Ocean City Inlet
PRIMARY TARGETS Fluke, Pompano, Striper, Mackerel
SURF SETUP 2-4 oz Pyramid Sinker Rigs
COASTAL OCEAN TELEMETRY

Ocean City Real-Time Conditions

Ocean City Inlet Jetty NOAA #8570283
Water Temp74.2°F
Tide StageIncoming (Flood)
Inlet Velocity3.1 Knots
Salinity31.5 ppt (Full Ocean)
Assateague Surf Slough USCG Beach Watch
Swell Height2 - 3 ft
Water Temp73.8°F
Surf Sinkers3oz Pyramid
Top SpeciesPompano & Kingfish
Isle of Wight Bay Channels MD DNR Buoy B
Water Temp76.5°F
Clarity3.5 ft (Clear)
Drift Speed1.2 Knots
Target LureFluke Jig + Teaser
TACKLE SELECTION MATRIX

Specific Lures & Rigging Recipes for Ocean City

Hand-selected terminal tackle, bucktails, spoons, and live-bait rigs matched to Ocean City ocean currents and shallow bay channels.

ASSATEAGUE SURF

1. Sand Flea Pompano & Kingfish Rig

Target Species: Florida Pompano, Northern Kingfish (Whiting), Spot.
Components: 2-hook high-low surf rig with orange float beads, #2 circle hooks, and 2-4oz pyramid sinker.
Best Bait: Live sand fleas (mole crabs) hooked through shell, or fresh peeled shrimp pieces.

Pro Tip: Cast just beyond the first breaking wave into the deep sand slough.
INLET JETTY

2. Heavy White Inlet Bucktail (1.5oz)

Target Species: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Sheepshead.
Components: 1.5oz white bucktail jig tipped with a 6-inch pink soft plastic curly tail on 30lb FC leader.
Tactics: Cast into rip current at slack-to-flood tide; bounce along sub-surface jetty rocks.

Pro Tip: Keep rod tip high to prevent bucktail from wedging into sharp granite rocks.
INSHORE OCEAN

3. #1 Clark Spoon + 2oz Inline Sinker

Target Species: Spanish Mackerel, Little Tunny (False Albacore).
Components: 2oz torpedo inline sinker → 6-foot 25lb fluorocarbon leader → #1 chrome Clark Spoon.
Trolling Speed: 5-7 knots around 2-mile inshore ocean shoals.

Pro Tip: Reel ultra-fast when casting metals into surface blitzes off Ocean City jetties.
BAY CHANNELS

4. Tandem Fluke Rig (Summer Flounder)

Target Species: Summer Flounder (Fluke).
Components: 3/4oz white bucktail bottom jig + 3/0 pink teaser hook tied 12 inches above, baited with Gulp! 4" Mullet.
Drift Area: Route 50 bridge channel & Sinepuxent Bay drop-offs.

Pro Tip: Bounce bottom continuously while drifting on a 1.0 - 1.5 knot tide.
BRIDGE PILINGS

5. Fiddler Crab Sheepshead Rig

Target Species: Sheepshead, Tautog (Blackfish).
Components: 1oz dropper sinker, #1 heavy-wire live bait hook, 30lb fluorocarbon shock leader.
Best Bait: Live fiddler crabs or marsh green crabs scraped off piling barnacles.

Pro Tip: Drop straight down against concrete bridge pilings; swing on slightest tick.
12-MILE REEF

6. Wire Stinger Live Bait Rig

Target Species: King Mackerel, Cobia, Shark.
Components: 30lb tooth-proof wire trace, #2 nose hook, #4 treble stinger hook baited with live menhaden or spot.
Best Area: Ocean City 12-Mile Reef & Fenwick Island Shoal.

Pro Tip: Slow-troll at 1.5 knots around offshore structure and wreck buoys.
PUBLIC ACCESS DIRECTORY

Ocean City Boat Ramps & Fishing Piers

5 Key Access Sites
PUBLIC BOAT RAMP WEST OCEAN CITY

West Ocean City Commercial Boat Ramp

Multi-lane deep-water public launch located right off Sunset Avenue. Immediate access to Ocean City Inlet and Sinepuxent Bay.

Amenities: 6-lane ramp, floating docks, trailer parking
Access Fee: Town of Ocean City permit / daily fee
View Google Maps Profile →
FREE FISHING PIER DOWNTOWN OC

Route 50 Bridge Public Fishing Pier

Lighted public pier extending into the main channel beneath the Route 50 bridge. Excellent night fishing for stripers, bluefish, and fluke.

License Note: Free public pier (no individual MD license required)
Target Species: Striped Bass, Fluke, Bluefish
View Google Maps Profile →
NATIONAL SEASHORE SURF ASSATEAGUE ISLAND

Assateague Island OSV Beach Zone

Miles of untouched Atlantic surf beaches. Over-sand vehicle (OSV) access for 4x4 trucks equipped with surf rod holders and tire deflators.

Permit Note: NPS OSV Permit required for vehicle drive-on
Target Species: Pompano, Kingfish, Red Drum, Sharks
View Google Maps Profile →