Welcome Aboard!
The Morning Star is a 55-foot Yankee-built, U.S. Coast Guard Inspected party boat powered by 6-71 Detroit turbodiesel engines ensuring a safe and efficient ride to the fishing grounds. Equipped with the latest electronics, we specialize in precision fishing of the various reef substrates our ocean has to offer. The boat has two bathrooms aboard as well as a salon that offers comfortable fishing year-round off the coast of Ocean City, MD.
The Morning Star is the party boat that fishes like a private charter carrying a maximum of 18 anglers on her daily sailings in summer. On special trips, and winter tautog fishing trips, there are even fewer anglers aboard.
When making your reservation, be sure to reserve your spot for the day. Act fast as some popular spots will surely fill up fast!
Parties of 5 or more will be charged a 10% gratuity for their fare.
What You Need to Bring…
All of our rental rods are of the highest quality and would be fished by the even the Captain himself ($7 to rent for the day). If you decide to bring your own gear we recommend the following:
20-50lb class conventional fishing rod (a graphite rod will do best) and reel spooled with micro-braid fishing line.
Terminal tackle can be provided by the mates even if you bring your own rod and reel, if you would like to bring your own, bottom fishing gear or jigs of the 6-8oz+ variety are highly recommended due to water depth
Please bring a cooler with ice to loaded with ice to store your days catch, a 48-quart cooler will suffice (no styrofoam or biodegradable coolers please, they don’t survive well at sea).
Please bring your drinks and lunch for the day, as we do not have a galley onboard.
Sunscreen is highly recommended (at least SPF30 in the summer)
While we want everyone to enjoy their experience on board, the following items are prohibited:
GPS Units, including the use of cellphone GPS (any of these items found in use will be removed from the case and float tested, trust me they do not float!)
Electric reels, even on tile fishing special trips are prohibited
Glass bottles of any kind are prohibited.
We observe all fishing regulations including creel limits, size limits, and seasons. If you refuse, the State of Maryland will provide an experienced armed officer when we return to the dock for your negotiations and complaints with state law.
Prohibited Items…
Please arrive early, we always leave on time at the latest! Clients arriving late will see the west end of an east-bound boat with no refunds! For reservations call (443) 235-5577
Sailing Saturdays 6:30 to 3:30 at $165.00 — Weekdays & Sundays 7 to 3 at $145 - All Sea Bass Trips Sell Out at 18 Anglers. I sail 1/2 an hour early on all trips if all are aboard..
Am now charging 10% gratuity for parties of five or more as a failsafe for crew. Most will surely see robust effort and sweeten that figure..
My long time friend and reigning Reef Queen (handles reef matters & mail!) - Marisa has taken over the helm on my reservation line.
Truly a sharp gal; she is but a one person operation & with a toddler at that. I'm quite confident of many more live answers and faster voice mail/text responses than in recent years though. Have had many positive comments about Marisa already. She might be slammed when I hit send (I hope!)(or maybe not!) If she cannot pick up, (she might be putting her 1 yo handsome future angler down for a nap or any other Mom duty!) ..leave her a message or text her. She's been getting back to folks quickly.
Reservations at 443-235-5577 - The line closes at 8pm and reopens at 8am. Marisa won’t take reservations for trips that are not announced - but she can note & pass along your desires.
If you want a spot for a summer sea bass trip call Marisa on the reservation line at 443-235-5577.. Emailing me is no good. I have plenty on my plate without following the blow by blow of reservations. I won't have real time info on what's available - Marisa does. I do check email for questions, however, & Facebook messenger from 'friends' too..
***Be a half hour early! We always leave early!! ..except when someone shows up right on time.
Clients arriving late will see the west end of an east-bound boat. Seriously, with a limited number of reserved spots, I do not refund because you overslept or had a flat.. If you’re reserved and are the last person we’re waiting on - you’ll need to answer your phone. I will not make on-time clients wait past scheduled departure because of a misfortune on your part.
Sea Bass Size limit 13 inches - 15 per person. A precious few summer flounder/fluke about now also. 17.5 inches on them.
I try to always leave a half hour early (and never an hour early!) I rarely get in on time either. If you have a worrier at home, please advise them I often come home late. It’s what I do.
Trips Also Sometimes Announced on Facebook at Morning Star Fishing
I post after action reports (or lack thereof) (and sometimes detailed thoughts on fisheries issues) for EVERY TRIP on my personal FB page and Morning Star page. Posts including OC Reef Foundation work will be included on those pages as well. You do not need to be a registered FB user to see my posts.
Bait is provided on all trips. Jigging is always welcome - it doesn't always work, but when it does? Fun and productive - we'll have jigs you can borrow too.
No Galley. Bring Your Own Food & Beverage.
If You Won't Measure & Count Your Fish, The State Will Provide A Man With A Gun To Do It For You. We Measure & Count — ALWAYS — No Exceptions!
It's Simple To Prevent Motion Sickness, Difficult To Cure. Bonine seems our best over the counter because it's (supposed to be!) non-drowsy. It's truly cheap & effective insurance. If it makes you a bit sleepy - but not suffering extreme reverse digestive disorder? That's a great trade!
"The Patch" -Scopolamine- however, is an anti-nausea prescription that beats all comers.
If the ocean still wants to get the better of you? Zofran (anti-nausea frequently given by physicians and especially in surgery) can be a day saver. iI you have it left over from a prescription, bring it - if only for someone unprepared. We sometimes have a few aboard also.
Honestly - If you get to go on the ocean once a month, once a year or even less; why risk chumming all day?
Ahhhh, then there's the ebullience of youth! Of course you can party hard all night and go on a moderately calm ocean..
No you can't!
If you howl at the moon all night? Chances are good you'll howl into a bucket all day.
Get Rest & Take Preventative Medicine!
Please Bring A Cooler With Ice For Your Fish – We Do Not Mix Catches - A 48 Quart Cooler Is Fine For A Few People. Do Not Bring A Very Large Cooler. We have some loaners - you'll still need ice. I want your catch memorable even after the dishes are washed! Should you catch some monstrous fish, we’ll be able to ice it.
No Galley! Bring Food & Beverages To Suit. A few beers in cans is fine for the ride home.
Our daily fish pool is a $20 Split Pool - half goes to the heaviest sea bass (or advertised species announced in AM. Perhaps summer flounder/fluke for instance) - and half goes to our daily 50/50 reef raffle. Reef building works wonderfully off our coast. I do all I can to fund/build & promote it.
