Maine Saltwater Report: Haddock Bite Sizzles, Bluefin Tuna Fishery Closes Soon

Artificial Lure here with your Maine Atlantic fishing report for Sunday, August 10th, 2025. It’s early August and we’re waking up to a crisp seaside sunrise at 5:29 AM, with sunset to close out the day around 7:46 PM along the coast from York Harbor north to Bar Harbor. The weather this morning is seasonably pleasant, with scattered clouds and light southwesterly breezes—the kind of summer conditions that have boat ramps busy and piers lively.

On the water, the tides are running strong today. In York Harbor, expect low tide at 5:20 AM, high around 11:23, another low by 5:17 PM, and topping off with a late-night high at 11:25 PM. These big swings (tidal coefficients spiking over 88 according to Tides4Fishing) mean fast currents and lots of movement in those rips and ledges—prime time for groundfish action.

Off Bar Harbor, you’re seeing much the same: early low at 5:26 AM, then a big push to 10.45 feet at midday, so consider timing your bottom drops right after the first turn for the best bite window. By late afternoon, expect slowing current and those fish settling deeper.

Fishing activity has been stellar this week, especially for the bottom-dwellers. According to Bunny Clark’s latest report, the catches offshore have been excellent, with most landings legal haddock—by far the top fish lately. Anglers have also put strong numbers of cusk, pollock, white hake, and a few redfish over the rails. There’s an uptick in trophy-sized fish too: a 27-pound cusk led off the day for one lucky angler, while several white hake upwards of 34 pounds have come aboard, their best season numbers yet. Despite the dogfish stories, their presence has been spotty—some drifts loaded, others near barren, so don’t let ‘em put you off.

Flukes, jigs, and rigs are all working right now, but if you want a pro tip: the bite on haddock was hottest while anchored, with basic clam bait catching well. However, don’t overlook artificial lures—especially tungsten jigs. Woo! Tungsten’s lineup (including Ned Heads and barrel weights) have been shining in the brush and rocky humps, especially for anglers targeting pollock and cusk. Drop-shotting with their weights has been a standout method, and those drag-stopping qualities help avoid those notorious snags around Maine’s ledges.

Stripers and bluefish are working the coastal rivers and estuaries as the ocean stays warm and bait schools pile near river mouths. Early risers tossing soft plastics—think paddle tails in bunker or mackerel patterns—are seeing aggressive bites at dawn. Sandworms and fresh-cut mackerel are old stand-bys and continue to deliver, especially on outgoing tide edges. For topwater, walk-the-dog lures and big pencil poppers draw explosive hits when fished around rocky islands or bridge abutments.

A word to offshore big game fans: NOAA has announced the recreational Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery closes at 11:30 PM on August 12th—just two days away. So after this, it’s catch-and-release only for all bluefin sizes in Maine through year-end. Consider switching up to yellowfin or keep chasing that giant bite for sport—just be sure to check NOAA’s catch-and-release guidelines.

One unusual sight this season—Arctic lion’s mane jellyfish have been showing up thick, especially in coves and bays from Port Clyde to Eastport. Locals are swapping stories of tangled mooring lines and clogged intakes, so keep an eye when running engines or hauling traps.

Looking for hot spots? Two always deliver:
- The ledges off Saco Bay (from Biddeford Pool out toward Tongs Island) are stuffed with summer haddock and pollock right now, especially on the slack before the flood tide.
- Around Schoodic Point near Winter Harbor, rocky shelves are giving up trophy cusk and white hake to savvy jig anglers on marathon trips. Shore-bound? Try the Marginal Way in Ogunquit at sunrise for stripers and schoolie bluefish.

That’s...