Wintertime Fishing in Maine: Stripers, Tuna, and More on the Atlantic Coast

For those venturing out to fish in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Maine today, December 26, 2024, here’s what you can expect:

First, let's look at the tides. In Portland, Maine, the high tide is at 3:47 AM, and the low tide is at 10:22 AM. Later, the high tide will be at 3:55 PM, and the low tide at 9:50 PM.

The weather is expected to be chilly, typical for this time of year. Sunrise is at 7:08 AM, and sunset will be at 4:34 PM, giving you about 9 hours of daylight. Make sure to dress warmly as the mornings and evenings will be cold.

Despite the cold, fish activity remains decent. Schoolie striped bass have been active, particularly at night in the rivers and salt ponds. Holdover stripers are also present in these areas. Trout and salmon activity has picked up, especially after recent rains. Tautog, cod, and sea bass are active around inshore structures, and bluefin tuna can be found feeding right off the beaches.

Yesterday, anglers reported catching holdover striped bass in the rivers, with some fish exceeding 20 inches. Trout and salmon were also caught in the lakes and ponds of southern Maine. Bluefin tuna and large schools of mackerel were spotted around Southwest Ledge and the east end of the Canal.

For lures, using jigs and plugs for striped bass and bluefin tuna can be effective. For bait, live mackerel or herring work well for larger species like tuna and cod, while clams and worms are good for tautog and sea bass.

Hot spots include the rivers and salt ponds for striped bass, and inshore structures like rocks and reefs for tautog, cod, and sea bass. Southwest Ledge and the east end of the Canal are great spots for bluefin tuna and mackerel.

Remember to stay warm and enjoy the fishing.