Black sea bass fishing out of Ocean City, New Jersey, starts at Great Egg Inlet and runs from a reef about 7.4 miles out to offshore wrecks at about 65 miles. Boats leave from Ocean City, Somers Point and Longport, and the run you choose sets the length of your day. The wider picture is in the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Northeast and the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide.
This page covers when the fish are around, how far boats run, the named structure and its depths, the baits used locally, and who fishes for sea bass from this port.
When black sea bass are around Ocean City
Sea bass are a seasonal target here. Moover Fishing Adventures lists sea bass as a seasonal trip, and the OCMTC Sea Bass Tournament is usually held in May.
For seasonal movements and general tackle, see the species guide. Season dates are in the Regulations section below.
How far boats run from Great Egg Inlet
Run distance is the first decision, since each step out changes the length of your day and your fuel plan. The tiers are a reef run under 10 miles, inshore runs of 10 to 20 miles, offshore runs of 35 to 50 miles, and offshore runs of about 65 miles. These figures come from the charters’ own trip listings and from The Fisherman’s reef profile.
| Trip or ground | Distance | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean City Reef | about 7.4 miles from Great Egg Inlet | The Fisherman |
| Coastal wrecks and reefs | up to 15 miles | Badfish |
| Inshore sea bass trips | 10 to 20 miles | Moover |
| Offshore sea bass trips | 35 to 50 miles | Moover |
| Offshore sea bass trips | about 65 miles | Moover |
| Wreck trips | 6 hours | Shore Thing |
Inshore reefs and wrecks
The closest option is Ocean City Reef, about 7.4 miles from the inlet. Badfish fishes coastal wrecks and reefs up to 15 miles out, and Moover runs inshore sea bass trips of 10 to 20 miles.
Offshore wrecks
Moover runs offshore sea bass trips of 35 to 50 miles and of about 65 miles. Shore Thing runs 6-hour wreck trips; its listing gives a duration only, with no distance. The 28 Mile Wreck and the canyons, covered next, sit at this end of the range.
Grounds and structure off Ocean City
The grounds below run from nearest to farthest. For general method on this kind of bottom, see our reef and wreck fishing guide.
You can mark each reef piece as a waypoint and read the depth around it on the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Ocean City Reef
Ocean City Reef lies in 55 to 70 ft of water, 4.5 nautical miles off Ocean City and about 7.4 miles from Great Egg Inlet. The Fisherman’s Ocean City Reef profile covers both the reef and the baits that work on it.
Libra and the reef barges
Njscuba lists the following pieces on Ocean City Reef, with all four named vessels listed as barges:
- Libra (hopper scow)
- Sulzer
- Ohio
- AC Wescoat 2
- Shamrock
Great Egg Reef
Great Egg Reef sits in 50 to 70 ft. Njscuba places it 7.2 nautical miles off Atlantic City. It is the nearby alternative to Ocean City Reef.
28 Mile Wreck (the Varanger)
The Varanger is known as the 28 Mile Wreck, named for roughly how far it lies from Ocean City.
Offshore canyons
The offshore canyons are the far end of the options out of this port.
How sea bass are fished here
The Fisherman reports that sea bass and triggerfish at Ocean City Reef take fresh clam strips first, then squid and strips of sea robin or dogfish. Triggerfish eat the same baits on the same 55 to 70 ft structure, so one set of bait covers both.
Who fishes for sea bass out of Ocean City
Charters
These local charters list black sea bass:
- Moover Fishing Adventures: The Moover, a 42-foot boat, docked at Seaview Harbor Marina in Longport.
- Mod Squad Charters: Captain Syd Unsworth, a 29-foot Triton center console.
- Badfish Fishing Charters: Captain Brian Williams, operating from Somers Point.
- Shore Thing Charters: Captain Mike Bernert, a 27-foot World Cat catamaran, departing Somers Point.
- Duke O’ Fluke
- Mighty Heron Charters: Captain Michael Doebley.
OCMTC Sea Bass Tournament
The OCMTC Sea Bass Tournament is a sea bass event out of this port, usually held in May.
FAQ: black sea bass fishing out of Ocean City
How far is Ocean City Reef from Great Egg Inlet?
Ocean City Reef is about 7.4 miles from Great Egg Inlet. It sits 4.5 nautical miles off Ocean City. Both figures come from The Fisherman, and each keeps its own unit.
How deep is Ocean City Reef?
Ocean City Reef is 55 to 70 ft deep. Great Egg Reef, the nearby alternative, is 50 to 70 ft.
What bait works for sea bass at Ocean City Reef?
The Fisherman lists fresh clam strips first, then squid and strips of sea robin or dogfish. Triggerfish on the same reef take the same baits.
What is 28 Mile Wreck?
It is the Varanger, a wreck named for roughly how far it lies from Ocean City. It belongs to the offshore tier of runs from this port.
When is the OCMTC Sea Bass Tournament?
It is usually held in May. Moover also lists sea bass as a seasonal trip, so charter timing follows the same seasonal pattern.
