hey 27 sailfish ocean or bay or anyone

[perrywater1]

what is there to gain or lose, fishing the chesapeak bay compared to fishing the ocean.i have run out of tillman up to south kent island ,then after catching our limit i ran down to taylors island to see a friend and have a cold beverage then back to tillman, just for the hell of it.so running around doesnt bother me, dont do it all the time.my question is what could be gained running out of indian river, out 8 miles or so, figured that should be my limit within a couple of miles . would it (all) come down to the fish you want to catch , i have a 20 ft dual sea hunt , 150 yamaha , both 2006. i just figured if it is worth while, i shold be doing it now since it is newer then realize 5 yrs down the road. granted i would have to pick my days, indian river is about an hour closer to home. i have read your reports fishing out of ocean city, wondered why you dont fish the ocean more ?? thanks

[Z28YJ]

One thing to consider is that, in the Bay, when you're ready to go home, you pretty much stow the gear and run on home. When you are trying to get home from the ocean, there is always an inlet to contend with. Most times, its a non-event, but it can be a pretty terrible feeling when you run home after a rougher than expected outing, only to be faced with a nasty inlet and wonder to yourself how you're going to make it through that gauntlet to get home.

[flycatcher]

First, if you're just going out for a boat ride, that's one thing. But you're trying to catch fish, that's another matter. You should have some sense of what you're targeting and where they are likely to be. Sometimes spanish macks, blues, of false albacore cruise just off the beach; stripers can be targeted in the spring and fall as well. Bottom fishing or trolling are both more productive over structure. To put it another way there may be a lot of fish out in the ocean, but there's a lot of empty water/bottom as well. Second, and more importantly, is what Z28YJ said. That inlet can get dicey, especially on a running outgoing tide against the wind - and what was calm going out can be downright pucker-producing coming back in, especially in a 20 footer. Leave a float plan with a friend/family member if you decide to have at it.

[downtime]

Fishing the ocean is a totally different scene than the bay.
Know before you go. Be sure your rigged with what you'll need in an emergency. It's not like the bay where you can almost holler to another boat for help. Cell phones only work about 8- 10miles out.
Lots of good fishing spots within 10 miles off OC
Out of Indian river not so many
Check out the charts for gull shoal, bass grounds and other wrecks off OC.
OC inlet is also easier to run.

Good luck and try some close in spots 1st To totally test you and your boat.

[27 sailfish]

If you are close enough to the ocean to do day trips - IMHO - you should try one now / then.

Ocean City inlet is well marked and on calm days - fairly safe - often just a few large swells.

There is some fun fishing 1-5 miles out. Good area to cut your teeth and the gear you have will work fine.

Use live bait for small ( 2 -4 foot ) sharks in a chum line. There is good bottom fishing in fall for Flounder and near Thanksgiving - the inlet area often sees big Rockfish. You can not fish more then 3 miles east for them.

As others stated - the ocean can be dangerous - double check everything.

Only bad part - once you start going out in the ocean and catching fish - likely you'll be hooked.

Be sure to wash all gear off extra good - the ocean water is awful on equipment.

[hippie]

I can't caution you enough to watch that Indian River Inlet. I run a 27 ft and when I had a slip down there I could only get out maybe 2 or 3 times a year due to that inlet. I constantly heard the rumor that it is ranked in the top 10 worldwide as to the most dangerous inlets. Try OC, it is a lot safer. Bob

[drewzim]

I've been running my 20' cc out of OC on a pretty regular basis between fishing and diving. Watch your days and only go when you have a decent weather window. Very rare occasion that if you're in one of the more popular areas (i.e. bass grounds, queen reef, fenwick shoals, etc) that there won't be another boat in sight. Big thing is make sure your boat is in good working order and only go as far as you feel comfortable. If the weather starts to turn get your butt back in ASAP. Biggest warning I can give you is watch out, once you start running of he coast you'll quickly get the desire to move up to a larger boat. Struggling with that now myself.

[Importsports]

Dont do it unless you are prepared to buy a bigger boat, bunch of gold reels and a condo in OC haha. I made the mistake of going offshore a couple years ago and now i am in OC every weekend fishing offshore. It is very addicting. On a serious note give it a try, just pick your day.A little common sense and confidence in your setup goes along way when going offshore.

[TerpHeels]

what is there to gain or lose, fishing the chesapeak bay compared to fishing the ocean

Mud puddle vs clear water and fish that will pull u into the water. Shoot my son, who is now 16, won't even leave the dock unless the 50's are on board.

[Old Hat]

I have to agree with terp that the clear water and many target species is a huge draw. I tend to get bored with the brown water fishing and like the diversity of other species such as fluke or C bass on the inshore structures or tuna offshore. In a 20' Sea Hunt, you should be fine running out of IRI on a nice day to B Buoy, reefsite #10, the old grounds, and even reefsite 11 on a perfect day. If the weather isn't suitable outside, you can always fish the inlet (west of bridge) which gives up some nice fluke as well. As sailfish27 said, be sure to do a thorough rinse to get the saltwater off your boat as this will lead to problems. You can launch at Masseys which will help you avoid all the bikini's in Doomee beach....or you can drive through dewey and launch at IRI and enjoy the sties and sounds on your trip home. The current rolls hard through IRI so maintaining speed is the key and also avoid East winds with ebb tides.