Fishing off the Chilly Maine Coast: Tides, Targets, and Tactics for December 7, 2024

For December 7, 2024, if you're planning to hit the waters off the coast of Maine, here's what you can expect:

First, let's look at the tides. Today, the low tide is at 5:11 AM with a height of 0.15 meters, and the high tide is at 11:36 AM with a height of 1.31 meters. The second low tide will be at 6:12 PM with a height of 0.03 meters[2].

The weather is quite chilly, typical for early December, with sunrise at 7:04 AM and sunset at 4:34 PM. Make sure to bundle up as the mornings and evenings will be cold.

Despite the cold snap, fishing has been quite good in the area. Around Southwest Ledge, you can find bluefin tuna, along with huge schools of mackerel. These mackerel are also present in the east end of the Canal, making them a great bait option[1][5].

For bottom fishing, cod, sea bass, and tog are still active in the waters. If you can find a boat still in the water, consider jigging for cod or pollock. Headboats like those out of Point Judith, RI, or Lynn, MA, are good options for this type of fishing[1][5].

For those targeting striped bass, although the migratory stripers are gone, there are still some winter holdover stripers in some of the rivers and salt ponds. White perch are also active in brackish creeks and ponds, and they can be caught using small hair jigs, such as a green or white and pink 1/8-ounce jig[5].

If you're looking for hot spots, consider the waters around Southwest Ledge for bluefin tuna and mackerel. For freshwater fishing, the Belgrade Lakes region, including Great Pond, Long Pond, and Messalonskee Lake, are great for catching brown trout and other species[3].

In terms of bait, mackerel and smelt are excellent choices for saltwater fishing. For freshwater, nightcrawlers floated off the bottom have been effective for catching brown trout[5].

Remember to be patient and slow with your presentations, as the cold weather affects both you and the fish. Enjoy your fishing trip and stay warm