Wahoo Fishing Out of Ocean City: When the Fish Are Here
Wahoo fishing out of Ocean City runs from early June to October. The Moover, a Longport charter, lists wahoo with tuna and mahi in that window, so anyone already running offshore for tuna and mahi can fish wahoo on the same trips and the same calendar.
Ocean City sits on the southwest side of Great Egg Harbor Inlet. For the local picture, see fishing out of Ocean City. For how this window compares with the rest of the coast, see the wider northeast wahoo bite (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide).
| Window | What runs |
|---|---|
| Early June to October | Wahoo, with tuna and mahi |
How Far Boats Run for Wahoo
Wahoo show up from about 20 miles offshore in summer, per the FishingBooker guide. The Moover lists day trips up to 40 miles, about 50 miles in June and July, and canyons beyond.
From nearest to farthest, the distances run like this:
- Ocean City Reef, 4.5 nm off Ocean City, and Great Egg Reef, 7.2 nm off Atlantic City.
- Wahoo from about 20 miles offshore.
- The 28 Mile Wreck, named for roughly how far it sits from Ocean City.
- Day trips up to 40 miles.
- About 50 miles in June and July.
- The offshore canyons, beyond that.
| Spot or range | Distance | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean City Reef | 4.5 nm off Ocean City | 55-70 ft |
| Great Egg Reef | 7.2 nm off Atlantic City | 50-70 ft |
| Wahoo in summer (FishingBooker) | about 20 miles | |
| 28 Mile Wreck (The Varanger) | roughly 28 miles (name) | |
| Day trips (Moover) | up to 40 miles | |
| June and July (Moover) | about 50 miles | |
| Offshore canyons | beyond |
The reef figures are in nautical miles, while the Moover and FishingBooker figures are in miles. We have not converted one to the other.
Before a 20 to 50 mile run, check wind, wave height and wave period on the official marine forecast. Those three numbers decide whether the run is worth making.
Grounds and Structure on the Run
The named structure off Ocean City runs from the nearshore reefs out to the 28 Mile Wreck and the canyons beyond. The reefs are landmarks and stepping stones on the way out. We don’t say wahoo are caught there.
Reef and wreck structure shows on the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint, where you can save waypoints. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Ocean City Reef
Ocean City Reef sits in 55-70 ft of water, 4.5 nm off Ocean City. It is the first structure on the way out.
The Libra and the Reef Barges
The Libra is a hopper scow on Ocean City Reef. Four barges also sit on the reef:
- Sulzer
- Ohio
- AC Wescoat 2
- Shamrock
Great Egg Reef
Great Egg Reef lies in 50-70 ft of water. Njscuba puts it 7.2 nm off Atlantic City, so measure that distance from Atlantic City rather than Ocean City.
28 Mile Wreck (The Varanger)
The Varanger is called the 28 Mile Wreck for roughly how far it sits from Ocean City. It falls inside the day-trip range of up to 40 miles.
Offshore Canyons
The canyons lie beyond the 40 to 50 mile runs, at the far end of the distance list above.
How Wahoo Are Fished Here
The Moover lists four methods: trolling, jigging, poppers and chunking.
- Trolling and jigging: listed local methods.
- Poppers and chunking: shared with the tuna fishery.
These overlap with the tuna program many owner-operators here already run. For rigging and technique, see the wahoo fishing guide.
Who Fishes for Wahoo Out of This Port
Moover Fishing Adventures lists wahoo out of Longport. The Moover is a 42-foot boat docked at Seaview Harbor Marina in Longport. It lists wahoo alongside tuna and mahi, the same tuna, mahi and other offshore gamefish that fill the summer calendar here.
The OCMTC Inshore Mahi/Wahoo/Cobia Tournament is usually held in August. Cobia share the tournament with mahi and wahoo.
FAQ: Wahoo Fishing Out of Ocean City
When are wahoo off Ocean City?
Early June to October. The Moover lists them with tuna and mahi.
How far offshore do you run for wahoo from Ocean City?
Wahoo show from about 20 miles offshore in summer, per FishingBooker. Moover day trips run up to 40 miles, and about 50 miles in June and July. The canyons are beyond that.
Are wahoo caught on Ocean City Reef?
The reef is 4.5 nm off Ocean City and 55-70 ft deep. Wahoo show from about 20 miles out, so the reef is a landmark on the run and not the target.
What is the 28 Mile Wreck?
It is The Varanger. It is named for its rough distance from Ocean City and sits inside the day-trip range.
Which local charter targets wahoo?
Moover Fishing Adventures lists wahoo. The Moover is a 42-foot boat at Seaview Harbor Marina in Longport.
When is the OCMTC mahi/wahoo/cobia tournament?
It is usually held in August.
