Late December Fishing in Maine's Atlantic Waters: Tides, Weather, and Promising Catches

For December 27, 2024, if you're planning to head out fishing in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Maine, here's what you can expect:

First, let's look at the tides. Today, the high tide is expected around 4:17 AM and 4:39 PM, with low tides at 10:23 AM and 10:45 PM, based on the tidal patterns similar to those in nearby areas[3].

The weather has been relatively calm after some rough conditions earlier, which has helped the fish settle in and the bite to pick up. Sunrise today is at around 7:20 AM, and sunset will be at about 4:00 PM.

Fish activity has been decent, especially for those targeting groundfish. Yesterday, anglers on the Bunny Clark deep sea fishing trips caught some impressive pollock, with weights of 17.5 and 12 pounds, which is a notable catch for the season[1].

For cod, the situation is a bit more uncertain due to regulatory discussions, but there's a possibility of being able to catch them later in the season. Currently, the western Gulf of Maine, where you'll be fishing, is considered healthier than other parts of New England, which might give you better chances of catching fish[1].

Sea bass and porgies are also active in these waters, and headboats have been reporting good catches of these species. Tautog fishing is decent in deeper waters, around 100-foot depths[4].

For lures and bait, using jigs and clams can be effective for pollock and cod. For sea bass and porgies, squid and clams are good options. If you're targeting tautog, crabs and clams are the way to go.

Hot spots include the areas around the western Gulf of Maine, particularly where the bottom is rocky or has structure. The waters off Mount Desert Island and the vicinity of Bar Harbor can also be productive.

Remember to check the latest regulations before heading out, especially regarding cod, as the rules are subject to change based on upcoming meetings. Good luck on the water