Puget Sound Fishing Update December 20, 2024: Sea-run Cutthroat, Coho, and Chum Salmon Opportunities Abound

For December 20, 2024, the fishing scene in the Puget Sound is looking promising, especially for those targeting sea-run cutthroat, coho, and chum salmon.

### Tidal Report
Today, the tides in Olympia, Budd Inlet, are as follows: Low Tide at 2:34 AM with a height of -0.44 ft, High Tide at 9:59 AM with a height of 15.66 ft, Low Tide at 3:58 PM with a height of 8.21 ft, and High Tide at 7:46 PM with a height of 11.8 ft[2].

### Weather and Daylight
Expect cooler temperatures, typical for this time of year. Sunrise is at 7:48 AM, and sunset is at 4:20 PM.

### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw good activity for sea-run cutthroat, with several quality fish caught. Coho and chum salmon are also active, making for an exciting day on the water. The chum fry migration is still a key factor, so fishing patterns that mimic these small crustaceans and larvae will be effective[1][3].

### Best Lures and Bait
For sea-run cutthroat, use Sculpin patterns, Euphassiid and Krill, and small suggestive patterns mimicking copepods, amphipods, and other small crustacean larvae. For coho and chum salmon, baitfish patterns like a Foul Free Herring or a Mini Deceiver can be very effective. A floating krill pattern, such as the White Gartside Gurgler, is also a good option[1].

### Hot Spots
Head to the South Puget Sound beaches, particularly around moving water and early morning outgoing tides. The Olympic Peninsula's coastal rivers are also worth a visit, especially with the wild steelhead starting to show up in decent numbers. Look for areas with good water movement and cover a lot of ground to increase your chances of finding fish[1].

Overall, it's a great day to get out on the Puget Sound and take advantage of the improving fish numbers and favorable tidal conditions.