Ocean City Fishing Club/Pier from Bob's Grill

The **Ocean City Fishing Club pier** in **Ocean City** is one of the most recognizable and historic structures along the Jersey Shore. Here’s a clear picture of what it’s like:

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### 🎣 What it is

* It’s a **private fishing club and pier**, not a typical public pay-to-fish pier.
* Founded in **1913**, the club is considered the **oldest continuously operating fishing club in the United States**. ([Ocean City Fishing Club][1])
* The pier sits right off the **boardwalk at 14th Street**, extending straight out into the Atlantic Ocean.

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### 🌊 The pier itself

* The structure stretches roughly **635–735 feet into the ocean** (depending on extensions and shoreline changes). ([Ocean City Fishing Club][2])
* At the end is a **“T-shaped” platform** about **50 ft wide and 30 ft long**, elevated roughly **20–25 feet above the water**. ([Ocean City Fishing Club][2])
* It includes:

* A **clubhouse** and deck area
* **Bait storage (freezers/fridges)**
* **Fish-cleaning stations and sinks**
* Storage for members’ gear
* Visually, it’s one of the **most photographed landmarks in Ocean City**, especially from the beach or underneath. ([Ocean City Fishing Club][2])

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### 🐟 Fishing experience

* It’s the **only true “on-ocean” fishing pier in Ocean City** (others are bay-side). ([takemefishing.org][3])
* Common catches include:

* Striped bass
* Bluefish
* Flounder
* Croaker and weakfish ([Fishing Piers Info][4])
* Because it extends far offshore, it gives anglers **deeper water access without needing a boat**.

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### 🔒 Access & membership

* This is the big catch: **you generally can’t just walk on and fish**.
* It’s a **private, membership-based club** with:

* Initiation fee + yearly dues
* Limited membership availability (sometimes waitlists) ([Fishing Piers Info][4])
* Occasionally, they host **open houses or events** where the public can visit.

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### 🏛️ History & character

* The pier has been **rebuilt multiple times** after storms (1916, 1945, 1962, etc.), reflecting how exposed it is to the Atlantic. ([Fishing Piers Info][4])
* It’s known as much for its **community and tradition** as for fishing—members participate in tournaments, social events, and conservation efforts.

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### 👀 What it’s like to visit (without membership)

Even if you’re not a member:

* You’ll definitely **see it from the boardwalk or beach**—it’s iconic.
* Walking **underneath the pier** is popular for photos and shade.
* It’s often more of a **scenic landmark** to most visitors than a place they can actually fish from.

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If you want, I can compare it to other nearby public fishing spots (like the 9th Street bridge or Somers Point pier) where you can actually fish without a membership.

[1]: https://www.oceancityfishingclub.com/the-club/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Ocean City Fishing Club - The Club"
[2]: https://www.oceancityfishingclub.com/the-pier/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Ocean City Fishing Club - The Pier"
[3]: https://www.takemefishing.org/new-jersey/fishing/where-to-fish-in-new-jersey/ocean-city-nj-pier-fishing/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Ocean City NJ Pier Fishing - Take Me Fishing"
[4]: https://fishingpiers.info/pier/ocean-city-fishing-club/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "OCEAN CITY FISHING CLUB - Fishing Piers Info"