Fishing in Maine's Frigid Waters: Navigating Tides, Temperatures, and Tasty Catches

For December 8, 2024, if you're planning to head out into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Maine, here's what you need to know:

### Tidal Report
Today, the tides are significant, with high tide at 4:35 AM AST at 7.26 feet and low tide at 10:50 AM AST at 1.68 feet. This pattern repeats in the evening, with high tide at 5:03 PM AST and low tide at 11:15 PM AST. These tidal changes can significantly affect fish activity[2].

### Weather
While specific weather details are not provided here, it's generally cold this time of year in Maine. Expect chilly temperatures, possibly with some wind and waves.

### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise today is at around 6:57 AM AST, and sunset is at approximately 3:53 PM AST. These times are crucial for planning your fishing trip.

### Fish Activity
Fish activity can be slow in the cold winter months, but there are still opportunities. For bluefin tuna, the General category is open, but there are restricted fishing days. As of now, the retention limit is 1 bluefin tuna per vessel per day/trip on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and 0 on other days. However, given the time of year, bluefin tuna fishing is not the best bet[1].

### Types and Amounts of Fish
Yesterday's catches would likely include species such as cod, haddock, and possibly some remaining tuna species, though in limited numbers. The recreational yellowfin tuna retention limit is 3/person/day, but this is less relevant in December. Bigeye, skipjack, and albacore tunas have no recreational limits, but they are less common this time of year[1].

### Best Lures and Bait
For the species you're likely to encounter, such as cod and haddock, use lures like jigs tipped with bait like clams, mackerel, or herring. Artificial lures like spoons and plugs can also work well.

### Hot Spots
Some hot spots include areas around the Gulf of Maine, particularly near underwater structures and drop-offs where fish tend to congregate. The waters off the coast of Southern Maine, such as near Portland or Kennebunkport, can be productive.

In summary, while the fishing might be slower due to the cold weather, targeting cod and haddock with the right lures and bait can yield some success. Be prepared for the cold, and make the most of the tidal changes to increase your chances of a good catch.