When swordfish are around out of Ocean City
Swordfish fishing out of this port is a fall game. The Atlantic Northeast swordfish guide (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide) covers timing across the wider region.
- Fall: the bite picks up.
- September and October: the Moover runs its 36-hour canyon trip.
- October: the Ocean City Marlin and Tuna Club (OCMTC) runs Swordfish Month.
Fall pickup
Capt. Syd Unsworth of Mod Squad Charters says swordfishing picks up in the fall. The Moover’s 36-hour canyon trip runs in September and October.
October and Swordfish Month
The Ocean City Marlin and Tuna Club runs the OCMTC Swordfish Month schedule in October, so the charter season and the club event overlap.
The run from Great Egg Inlet
Inlet, ramp and forecast detail is in the Ocean City port guide. The destination is the offshore canyons, measured from Great Egg Inlet.
| Trip | Length | Boat |
|---|---|---|
| Moover canyon trip | 36 hours | 42 ft |
| Mod Squad canyon trip | 14 to 16 hours | 29 ft Triton center console |
Up to 95 miles to the canyons
On its 36-hour trip, Moover fishes within 95 miles of Great Egg Inlet.
Long day or overnight
Two trip structures run from this port:
- Mod Squad runs 14 to 16 hour canyon trips.
- Moover runs 36-hour trips.
Grounds and structure on the way out
The sites below are inshore landmarks on the way offshore. None of them is a swordfish ground.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Distance | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean City Reef | 55 to 70 | 4.5 nm off Ocean City | Libra hopper scow; Sulzer, Ohio, AC Wescoat 2, Shamrock barges |
| Great Egg Reef | 50 to 70 | 7.2 nm off Atlantic City (Njscuba) | None |
| 28 Mile Wreck (the Varanger) | None | Named for roughly its distance from Ocean City | None |
| Offshore canyons | None | Within 95 miles of Great Egg Inlet (Moover) | Swordfish destination |
Ocean City Reef
The reef lies in 55 to 70 ft, 4.5 nm off Ocean City. The Libra, a hopper scow, sits on it, and Njscuba lists four barges there: the Sulzer, Ohio, AC Wescoat 2 and Shamrock.
Great Egg Reef
Great Egg Reef lies in 50 to 70 ft. Njscuba puts it 7.2 nm off Atlantic City.
28 Mile Wreck
The wreck is the Varanger. Its name reflects roughly how far it sits from Ocean City.
The offshore canyons
The swordfish trips go to the canyons. Moover reaches them within 95 miles of Great Egg Inlet.
How swordfish are fished locally
Locally, swordfish are fished on overnight trips or very long canyon days. The 36-hour overnight canyon trip and the 14 to 16 hour canyon day differ mainly in time on the water.
Rigs, baits and drift tactics are covered in the swordfish species guide.
Who fishes for swordfish out of Ocean City
Two local charters list swordfish, and the club runs an October event.
| Charter | Boat length | Base | Trip length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moover Fishing Adventures | 42 ft | Seaview Harbor Marina, Longport | 36 hours, September and October |
| Mod Squad Charters | 29 ft Triton center console | Ocean City | 14 to 16 hour canyon trips |
Moover Fishing Adventures
Moover Fishing Adventures runs the Moover, a 42-foot boat docked at Seaview Harbor Marina in Longport. Its 36-hour trip fishes within 95 miles of Great Egg Inlet.
Mod Squad Charters
Mod Squad Charters is run by Capt. Syd Unsworth on a 29-foot Triton center console. Its canyon trips last 14 to 16 hours, which makes it the smaller boat on the shorter trip compared with the 42-foot Moover.
OCMTC
The Ocean City Marlin and Tuna Club runs Swordfish Month in October.
FAQ: swordfish fishing out of Ocean City
When is swordfish season out of Ocean City?
Fall. Capt. Syd Unsworth says swordfishing picks up in the fall, and Moover runs 36-hour canyon trips in September and October.
How far do boats run for swordfish from Ocean City?
Boats run to the offshore canyons. Moover fishes within 95 miles of Great Egg Inlet on its 36-hour trip.
What is OCMTC Swordfish Month?
It is an Ocean City Marlin and Tuna Club event held in October.
Can a 29-foot boat make a canyon swordfish trip?
Yes. Mod Squad Charters runs 14 to 16 hour canyon trips on a 29-foot Triton center console.
Where are the swordfish rules?
The New Jersey regulations page and the federal billfish and swordfish rules page carry them. Check both before fishing.
Is swordfish the only billfish target out of Ocean City?
No. The billfish guides cover the other billfish.
