5.0(2 Reviews)4 HR Crabbing & Fishing Adventure
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour crabbing and fishing combination trip in Ocean City back baysExpert crabbing techniques taught while fishing for multiple speciesFamilyfriendly adventure with up to four guests maximum capacity
Picture this: you're drifting through Ocean City's calm back bays with Captain Dave, a lifelong Eastern Shore local who's been pulling crab pots since he could barely reach over the gunwale. This isn't your typical charter—it's a hands-on combo trip where you'll learn the art of crabbing while casting lines for some of Maryland's best inshore species. With just four guests max, everyone gets personal attention and plenty of elbow room to work the water properly.
Captain Dave starts your day by getting those crab traps in the water first thing. You'll learn the old-school techniques he picked up growing up on these shores—where to drop the pots, how to bait them right, and why timing matters more than luck. While those blue crabs are doing their thing, you'll switch gears to fishing mode. The back bays around Ocean City are perfect for light tackle action, and Dave knows every productive spot. You'll work bottom rigs for flounder, cast jigs for stripers, and maybe even sight-fish some sheepshead around the pilings. Between checking crab pots every hour or so, there's plenty of time to put a bend in your rod. Kids absolutely love pulling up those traps—never knowing if they'll find a keeper crab or just some curious bait fish that wandered in.
This trip runs on versatility. Captain Dave supplies all the crabbing gear—pots, bait, and measuring tools to make sure everything's legal. For fishing, you'll use light spinning tackle perfect for the back bay environment. Bottom fishing with circle hooks works great for flounder and skates, while jigging keeps things active when you're working structure for stripers and sheepshead. The shallow bays mean you're fishing in 8-15 feet most of the time, so everything happens fast and visual. Dave switches up techniques based on tides, weather, and what's biting that day. Some trips call for drifting with the current, others mean anchoring up on productive spots. The crabbing side is all about patience and location—Dave's got his secret spots dialed in after decades on these waters.
"From the booking process to the excellent communication leading up to our trip, everything was seamless, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. Captain David and First Mate Frank were outstanding. We brought our 12- and 9-year-old boys along, and David and Frank were fantastic with them—teaching them how to set the crab traps and letting them pull them up to check for crabs. We highly recommend Nanticoke Outfitters if you're looking for a top-notch charter experience in Ocean City, Maryland!" - Edward
"Captain Dave and crewmate Frank were fantastic to spend the day with on the bay. From setting up the pick-up location the night before to the end of our trip, they helped create an unforgettable experience for myself and my boys, who were out on a boat for the first time. Though it was a windy day, which made getting around a bit challenging, we made the most of it. We opted for the crabbing and fishing combo because we were eager to set traps and catch crabs, something we had never done before. Captain Dave got us right into it, allowing the kids to help set and check the pots, which they absolutely loved. The fish started biting quickly, but the weather turned, and we ended up with only one keeper. We also caught 10 keeper crabs, though most were sponges or pregnant, which was still fine by us. While the results weren't exactly what we hoped, it didn't take away from the wonderful time we had. Overall, we had great conversations and a fantastic outing. If we're ever back in the area, we wouldn't hesitate to choose them again—this is a perfect family-friendly setup!" - Jon
Southern Flounder are the bread and butter of Ocean City's back bay fishing. These flatfish love sandy bottoms and grass edges, typically running 14-18 inches in these protected waters. Summer and early fall offer the best action, with flounder feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What makes them special is their ambush style—they'll bury in the sand and nail your bait when you least expect it. The fight isn't spectacular, but that first heavy thump on your rod tip gets everyone's attention. Plus, few fish eat better than a fresh Ocean City flounder.
Striped Bass patrol these back bays year-round, with fish ranging from schoolie size up to solid keepers in the 20-inch range. Spring and fall see the best numbers, but summer resident fish provide steady action. Stripers here are aggressive and willing to hit both live bait and artificials. They'll crash the surface chasing baitfish or hug bottom structure depending on conditions. Captain Dave's local knowledge shines when targeting stripers—he knows which pilings, drop-offs, and current breaks hold fish on any given tide.
Sheepshead might be the most challenging species you'll encounter on this trip. These black-and-white striped fish hang around any hard structure—bridge pilings, jetty rocks, or old crab traps. They're notorious bait thieves with powerful crushers for teeth, designed to crack barnacles and crabs. Getting a solid hookset on a sheepshead takes timing and a sharp hook. But land one, and you've got some of the best eating fish in the bay. They're most active during warmer months and absolutely love blue crab for bait—which works perfectly on a combo crabbing trip.
Picked Dogfish are small sharks that cruise the back bays, especially during cooler months. They typically run 2-3 feet long and fight surprisingly hard for their size. While some anglers consider them a nuisance, kids love catching their first shark, even if it's just a
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a beautifully restored 25-foot MayCraft center console that's built for Ocean City's back bays. This classic boat comfortably seats up to 4 anglers and runs smooth with a powerful 350HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the fishing grounds quickly at speeds up to 40 knots. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to cast lines and work the crab traps without getting tangled up. Modern electronics include GPS navigation and fish finder technology to help Captain Dave locate the best spots for stripers, blues, and flounder. There's also radar onboard for those foggy mornings when visibility drops. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during the 4-hour trip. Whether you're bottom fishing while waiting for crab traps or jigging for sheepshead, this boat handles the shallow waters perfectly and gives you the stable platform you need for a successful day on the water.
Dipturus LaevisBarndoor skates are the giants of the skate family, growing up to 4-5 feet across those wing-like pectoral fins. These bottom dwellers cruise sandy and muddy flats looking for crabs, lobsters, and fish to crush with their powerful jaws. They're year-round residents but easier to target in cooler months when they move into shallower water. What makes them special is their size and the unique fight - like trying to pull a dinner plate through the water sideways. They're cartilaginous fish related to sharks and rays, but completely harmless. Most folks enjoy the novelty of catching something so different looking. You'll need heavy tackle since they're pure muscle and will test your drag system. The key is fishing right on bottom with whole or cut bait like mackerel or squid. My advice: once hooked, keep steady pressure and be patient - they don't give up easy but tire eventually.
Squalus AcanthiasPicked dogfish are small sharks that show up in good numbers, especially during cooler months from fall through early spring. Most run 2-3 feet long and they're scrappy fighters that'll surprise you on light tackle. These bottom dwellers prefer deeper water around 50-150 feet, but you'll catch them in shallower spots when they're chasing baitfish. What makes them interesting is they're actually sharks - complete with sharp spines behind each dorsal fin that they'll arch their back to use for defense. Handle with care! They travel in schools and aren't picky eaters, taking everything from cut bait to squid. While they're not prime table fare like other species, they're fun to catch and great for kids to experience landing their first shark. Pro tip: use a 15-20 pound leader and keep your hands away from those spines when unhooking. They'll hit just about anything, so simple bottom rigs work perfectly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the notorious bait thieves of our local waters - they've got human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs off pier pilings. These convict-striped fish typically run 2-5 pounds, but 8-10 pounders show up regularly around bridge structure. They're year-round residents, but spring brings the best action when they move shallow to spawn. What makes them fun to target is their finicky nature - they'll steal your bait clean off the hook if you're not paying attention. The reward is some of the best eating fish in these waters, with sweet, flaky white meat. You'll find them tight to any hard structure where barnacles grow. My trick for landing more sheepshead: use the smallest hook you can get away with and fresh fiddler crabs. Soon as you feel that subtle nibbling, set the hook hard - they've got bony mouths that need a firm hookset.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sandy bottoms with just their eyes showing, waiting to ambush crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Most run 15-18 inches, but you'll occasionally hook into one pushing 25+ inches. They love shallow bays and around structure like bridge pilings where the current brings food. Spring and fall are prime time when they're actively feeding before and after their offshore spawning runs. What makes them special is that chameleon ability to change color and blend perfectly with the bottom. Plus, they're fantastic eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. My tip: use a Carolina rig with live minnows or shrimp, and fish it right on the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook - they like to grab prey sideways first.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of our local waters, ranging from schoolie-sized fish around 18 inches up to real bruisers hitting 30+ pounds. They love structure - bridge pilings, channel edges, and drop-offs where baitfish get pushed around by the current. You'll find them year-round in our back bays, but spring and fall are peak times when they're feeding heavily during their migrations. What guests love most is their fight - they'll make long runs and put a serious bend in your rod. They're also top-notch table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling. These fish are smart and can be picky, so we adjust our approach based on conditions. Here's a local secret: when fishing around bridge pilings, cast upcurrent and let your bait drift naturally down to them. They almost always hit on the drift.
5.0 out of 5.0From the booking process to the excellent communication leading up to our trip, everything was seamless, and we couldn't have aske...
Captain Dave and crewmate Frank were fantastic to spend the day with on the bay. From setting up the pick-up location the night be...
Easton