The Ocean Princess is owned and operated by Captain Victor Bunting a 4th generation Ocean City fisherman who has been working our local Atlantic ocean waters for over 30 years.
Owner and Operator of the Ocean Princess
Captain Victor Bunting is a fourth-generation Ocean City fisherman with over 30 years of experience fishing our local waters. His career in the fishing industry began aboard the "Miss Ocean City", where he worked under his uncle, starting as a deckhand and eventually operating the vessel for fishing trips and cruises.
Captain Bunting holds a degree in Geography and Geoscience from Salisbury University. His education, combined with his extensive hands-on experience, positioned him to establish his own name in the industry with the purchase of the Ocean Princess.
In addition to operating the Ocean Princess, Captain Bunting serves as the Maryland Black Sea Bass industry advisor for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. He holds a 200-ton captain's license and is certified in first aid/CPR, ensuring both expertise and safety on every voyage.
Co-Captain/Deckhand
Matt Moran is our co-captain/deckhand. Matt, who is also Captain Victor's cousin, also worked for many years in the 80's and early 90's for our uncle on the "Miss Ocean City" as a deckhand. Matt recently retired from Hendrix University in Arkansas and decided to come home to work at the family business. When Matt's not fishing, he's doing reserach at the Childrens Rain Forest in Costa Rica.
Lead Deckhand
Jeff Nottingham is our lead deckhand. Jeff's family also has a long history of fishing in Ocean City. In fact, Captain Victor's father worked as a deckhand for Jeff's father way back in the early 60's. Jeff grew up working on his father's partyboat, the "Mariner", out of Ocean City for many years. Eventually Jeff became a captain and operated some of the largest tugboats in the U.S. Jeff retired from his company a few years ago and has worked for us ever since.
U.S. Coast Guard 100 and 200 ton Captains • First Aid/CPR Trained Crew
What should I bring?
It is a good idea to bring a small cooler with drinks and snacks. A good pair of sunglasses, hat, and sweatshirt are also recommended. However, everything you need for a day of fishing can be purchased or rented on the boat. We have a galley that serves beer, soft drinks, and snacks. If you do not have your own rod, you can rent one from us.
Do I need a reservation?
On our 4-hour trips, we restrict the number of fisherman to 50 to ensure everyone has enough room to fish and be comfortable. Our 10-hour trips are restricted to 35 passengers. Although reservations are not required, we strongly recommend you make a reservation to secure your spot as the boat fills quickly.
How far does the boat go out?
The boat goes out approximately 8 to 15 miles into the Atlantic Ocean on our 4-hour trips. Longer trips may go as far as 50 miles but normally 20 and 30 miles.
What kind of fish will we catch?
Our principal catch is Sea Bass, but we also catch Tautog, Flounder, Bluefish, Triggerfish, and Croakers.
Do you have a restroom on the boat?
Yes, we have separate men's and women's restrooms.
Does the Ocean Princess fish in the fall and winter?
Yes! The Ocean Princess fishes through most of the year. Feel free to check our Fishing Trips page.
How long does it take to get to the fishing spot?
The Ocean Princess is located just 5 minutes from the inlet and ocean, therefore it only takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes to reach prime fishing grounds. Longer trips can take up to 3 hours to reach the fishing grounds.
How deep is the water?
The average depth of the water we fish is 60 to 90 feet. On 10 hour trips the water could be up to 200 feet. The Captain and crew will let you know exactly how deep the water is before you begin fishing.
How big are the fish?
Sea Bass must be 13 inches to keep and generally weigh 2 to 4 pounds, with larger fish tipping the scales over 6 pounds. By comparison, Bluefish and Tautog can weigh well over 15 pounds.
Do I have to keep the fish I catch?
No. You are more than welcome to throw them back or give them to another angler. If you decide to keep your fish, the mate will gladly clean your fish while the boat is returning to Ocean City for a nominal fee.
Should I tip the mates?
Yes, the mates do work for tips. The industry standard is 15-20% of the cost of your trip. If you feel that the mates did a good job, please tip them at the end of the trip.
I’ve never been on a boat before and I’m a little worried about motion sickness. What do you recommend?
We recommend using Dramamine or Bonine for motion sickness. Both of these medications are available at any pharmacy or convenient store. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions closely. Do not wait until the boat is leaving the dock before you take either of these medicines as they typically take at least an hour to take effect.