Maine Coast Fishing Report: Stripers, Tautog, and Early Spring Opportunities

Good morning, anglers! Here’s your fishing report for April 4, 2025, focused on the waters in and around the Atlantic Ocean off Maine's coast.

The sun rose this morning at 6:07 AM and will set at 7:03 PM, providing plenty of daylight to enjoy the cooler, crisp spring air. Current weather conditions see temperatures nudging into the mid-40s°F with light winds out of the northwest, making for decent boating and casting conditions. The Prospect Harbor tides today feature a high tide at 3:52 AM (11.63 ft) and 4:46 PM (9.91 ft) with low tides at 10:33 AM (-0.26 ft) and 10:48 PM (1.36 ft). These tidal shifts should offer opportunities to target fish as they move with the current.

Recent catches in the Gulf of Maine show a nice variety. Though the haddock season doesn't officially begin until May 1, early spring fishing still offers tautog, flounder, and increasing striper activity along the coastline. Some anglers have even landed 40-inch striped bass down south, with herring runs attracting over-slot fish in nearby areas. Trout fishing in Maine’s ponds and rivers also remains excellent, with activity improving as waters warm.

For today's saltwater fishing, recommended lures include paddletail soft plastics, jerkbaits, and gold spoons, which mimic baitfish and can be used effectively in both nearshore and deeper waters. Hogy Pro Tail Paddles and shrimp-style lures are particularly versatile. Use a steady or twitching retrieve depending on the depth where fish are holding. If you’re chasing stripers, sand eel imitations like Hogy Pro Tail Eels work wonders, especially near rocky structures or drop-offs. For bait, fresh or live mackerel chunks, herring, and worms are excellent options to entice larger fish.

Top spots to check out today include the Kennebec River mouth, where stripers are beginning to show up with the herring migration, and the Nubble Lighthouse area near Cape Neddick, a year-round favorite for surfcasters. Both spots have good tidal flow today, which should help improve your chances of success. For those farther up the coast, Prospect Harbor is worth a shot, particularly around rocky ledges.

Regardless of your target species, slow down your presentation—water temperatures are still chilly, and fish aren’t as aggressive. Dress warmly, be patient, and enjoy what Maine's spring waters are offering. Tight lines!