Evening star., 1954-06-06
Ocean City Gets Set for Marlin Invasion
Resort Sets Mark
For White Giants
Taken in q Day
By jones Birchfield
Stcr Stoff CORRESPONDENT

between Sinetuxent Bay and the
Atlantic Ocean is Maryland's
oldest ocean resort, and is some
times referred to as the Summer
Marlin Capital of the East Coast"
Just a few miles to the south
on the last undeveloped stretch
of Maryland'S sandy coastline,
a new community, Ocean Beach,
is springing up, but it Is to
Ocean City that the vacation
traveller now wends his way.
Ocean City is a summer play
ground that is particularly in
teresting to the deep-sea fisher
man. for this resort holds the
record for the largest number of
white marlin taken in single
day. In 1889 game fishermen
took I'll marlin in one day and
q total of 1,343 in the season.
The marlin season will open
this year on the third Sunday
this month with a gala parade
of the marlin feet. The boats
used to. take fishermen to the
marlin grounds will form in the
bay and will parade out into the
ocean, led by o Coast Guard
cutter.
After passing along the beach,
past the judges stand, the fleet
will return to the docks to re-
ceive awards.
Follow Worm Waters
Actually the marlin season will
begin when the first of the bill
fish is caught. AS marlin follow
the warm waters north, the first
one usually is taken in these
waters around the middle OF
June.
Mostly it is the white marlin
that is taken here, but there
have been three of the larger
blue marlin caught off Ocean
City in the last few years. The
record. a 416-pounder, was
caught here last year by James
B. Booze, an employe Of The
Washington Star.
All along the Maryland coast
from Ocean City down through
Ocean Beach, which adjoins the
Assateague National Wildlife
Sanctuary at the Virginia State
line, surfcaSters have been out in
force in recent weeks angling for
big channel bass and kingf1Sh.
Ocean City has been prepar-
ing for its largest season this
summer. During the winter and
early spring there has been q
surge of building, with the re-
suit that more accommodations
will be available for the summer
visitors-whether for weekend
jaunts or week-long family out
ingS.
There are accommodations Of
every description. The resort
abounds in good hotels, apart
ments, cottages and rooming
houses. Rates are reasonable,
and hotels featuring either the
American or European plan may
be found.
Food Fresh and Good
Ocean City visitors may expect
to eat we'll while vacationing.
Naturally, sea food taken from
surrounding waters is a feature
of many restaurants and hotels.
But Maryland-grown vegetables
and poultry also form an excit-
ing part of local menus.
Ocean City has many attrac-
tions other than fishing and eat
ing. A white sand beach
stretches for miles along the rest
less Atlantic, and a boardwalk
is lined with shops and amuse-
ment centers.
Early-morning activities in
clude bicycling along the board
wal, which is open TO cyclerS
until 10 m, while water sports
men may boat or aquaplane in
the quieter waters Of Sinepurent
Bay.
For those who do not care for
fishing in the deeper, Atlantic,
there is surf casting from the
beach and fishing from the rocks
along the inlet from the Allan
tic to the bay.
Fine Place for Children
Ocean City is especially in
viting to families with small
children. The clean white sands
of the beach make ideal play
grounds for children, and for
larger children and teen-agerS
there is the added attraction of
a skilled beach patrol to guard
against accidents.
Along with its many sporting
attractions. Ocean City adds
harness racing during the month
of August. Harness races are
held each night at nearby Ocean
Downs, one of the States best
harness tracks.
Ocean City is one of the most
accessible beaches on the East
ern Coast. 1t may be reached by
air, bus, boat or automobile.
Commercial airlineS from
Washington, Baltimore and other
nearby cities fly into nearby
Salisbury. while small field
nearby accommodates private
planes.
Easy. Motor Trip
BY motor, Ocean City is less
than three hours from Washing
ton. Washington motorists fol-
low Route SO, crossing the Ches-
apeake Bay Bridge and on
through Easton, Cambridge and
Salisbury to Ocean City at the
routes eastern terminus
Highways have been improved
until the drive from Washington
NAV he considered an ENJOYABLE