Answer
Fish, crabs, and inlet navigation all respond to rising and falling water—slack tide often slows pier bites while moving flood and ebb concentrate bait along bulkheads and surf cuts. Boaters watch tide plus wind at the Kelley Bridge and Inlet bar. Visitors who ignore charts guess wrong on timing.
Sources: NOAA Tides & Currents · Maryland Coastal Bays Program · Visit Ocean City
Editorial visitor guidance for Ocean City, Maryland. Confirm current Town of Ocean City, Maryland DNR, NPS Assateague, and NWS rules when regulations or safety apply.
