White marlin fishing out of Ocean City, New Jersey, is a summer-into-fall canyon fishery run from Great Egg Inlet. This guide covers when the fish are around, how far boats run, what structure you pass on the way, how local boats raise fish, and who fishes for them. It can help you decide where to look but doesn’t promise fish. The 95-mile envelope for the canyon run is the number to plan around.
When white marlin are off Ocean City
White marlin are off Ocean City from summer into fall. For the regional picture, see the wider Northeast season (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide).
Summer into fall
Moover’s 36-hour canyon trip runs in September and October, which anchors the fall end of the window.
Tournament calendar
Two events shape the local calendar and crew planning:
- August: Gold Star Open, with a billfish release division
- September: OCMTC Marlin Month
The run from Great Egg Inlet
Boats run to the offshore canyons for white marlin. Moover’s 36-hour trip fishes within 95 miles of Great Egg Inlet, so plan around that radius. The reefs and the 28 Mile Wreck are named structure near the port and on the way out.
| Structure | Depth | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore canyons | Within 95 miles of Great Egg Inlet | Where boats run for white marlin | |
| Ocean City Reef | 55-70 ft | 4.5 nm off Ocean City | Libra hopper scow; Sulzer, Ohio, AC Wescoat 2, Shamrock barges |
| Great Egg Reef | 50-70 ft | 7.2 nm off Atlantic City | |
| 28 Mile Wreck (the Varanger) | Named for rough distance from Ocean City |
Offshore canyons
The canyons are the destination. Moover’s 36-hour trip runs in September and October.
Ocean City Reef
Ocean City Reef sits in 55-70 ft of water, 4.5 nautical miles off Ocean City. Libra, a hopper scow, lies on the reef along with four barges: the Sulzer, Ohio, AC Wescoat 2 and Shamrock. The New Jersey artificial reef guide maps the state’s reefs.
Great Egg Reef
Great Egg Reef sits in 50-70 ft of water, 7.2 nautical miles off Atlantic City.
28 Mile Wreck
The 28 Mile Wreck is the Varanger, named for roughly how far it sits from Ocean City.
How white marlin are fished from this port
Local boats raise fish with dredges and Caesar lures, then pitch bait. Biology and general technique are covered in the white marlin species guide.
Dredges and Caesar lures
Capt. Syd of the Mod Squad trolls dredges and Caesar lures to raise fish.
Pitching bait
Once a fish is raised, the bait is pitched.
Release
Marlin are released in OCMTC events, and the Gold Star Open’s billfish division is a release division.
Who fishes for white marlin out of Ocean City
Tournament crews, a Mod Squad captain and a canyon charter all work this fishery. For more on the species and the gear, see our billfish guides.
OCMTC tournament boats
OCMTC Marlin Month runs in September, and its marlin are released.
Capt. Syd and the Mod Squad
Capt. Syd of the Mod Squad trolls dredges and Caesar lures, then pitches bait.
Moover Fishing Adventures
Moover Fishing Adventures lists white marlin. The Moover is a 42-foot boat docked at Seaview Harbor Marina in Longport. It runs a 36-hour canyon trip within 95 miles of Great Egg Inlet in September and October. Details are on the Moover Fishing Adventures canyon trips page.
FAQ: white marlin fishing out of Ocean City
When is the white marlin season out of Ocean City, NJ?
White marlin are off the port from summer into fall. The Gold Star Open runs in August, OCMTC Marlin Month is in September, and Moover’s canyon trips run in September and October.
How far do boats run for white marlin from Great Egg Inlet?
Boats run to the offshore canyons. Moover’s 36-hour trip fishes within 95 miles of Great Egg Inlet.
Is there a local charter that targets white marlin?
Moover Fishing Adventures runs The Moover, a 42-foot boat at Seaview Harbor Marina in Longport, and lists white marlin.
How do local boats raise white marlin?
Boats troll dredges and Caesar lures, then pitch bait, as Capt. Syd of the Mod Squad does. Marlin are released in OCMTC events.
What is the 28 Mile Wreck?
It is the Varanger, named for roughly how far it lies from Ocean City.
