Reports from Scott’s Dock in Margate indicate high numbers of fish being caught just yards from the slips. While shorts dominate the action, solid keepers nearing the 4-pound mark are hitting the decks daily.
Margate Back Bay Summer Flounder
The local bite is heating up nicely as cleaner back-bay water and rising temperatures spark consistent action across Downbeach.
Flounder (fluke) fishing is officially in full swing along the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW).
Scott’s Dock Margate > Listen.
Naked live minnows are producing the highest volume of fish, but if you are hunting for keepers, size up your offering.
Bucktails tipped with 3- to 5-inch Gulp! or substantial strip baits (squid, mackerel, or herring) are enticing the larger thick-bodied fluke in 10 to 14 feet of water, particularly on the turn of the outgoing tide.
Scott’s Dock Margate: Be prepared for plenty of company in the back bays, as aggressive small bluefish and dogfish are mixing heavily into the catch.
Ventnor Surf & Structure
For land-based anglers, the Ventnor Pier and local beachfronts are offering productive evening sessions. Striped bass are actively feeding in the suds, with surfcasters finding success on a mix of slot-sized fish and larger models using fresh clams and sand eels. The evening tides are proving best for the bass.
For an added bonus, local bridges and piers are also seeing a noticeable uptick in flounder action for those casting larger presentations, alongside bluefish reaching up to 3 pounds.
Reports from Scott’s Dock in June 2026 indicate a thriving flounder season within the local back bay waters.
Anglers are finding consistent fishing success very close to the shore, which has allowed both private and rental vessels to conserve fuel.
While many of the catches are undersized, larger keeper fish weighing nearly four pounds are being caught using specialized baits like bucktails and herring strips.
Scott’s Dock
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Can you tell me if fishing is permitted on the pier at Washington Avenue where there are dedicated benches? Curious couldn’t even get a seat on our bench.