Maine Fishing Report: Stripers, Bluefish, and Offshore Riches for Mother's Day

Good morning from the Maine coast, this is Artificial Lure with your fishing report for Sunday, May 11, 2025.

Sunrise came at 5:16 AM this morning, and sunset will drop in around 7:51 PM, giving us a good long day to wet a line. Weather for today is classic spring in Maine—partly cloudy skies, light winds out of the southeast, and temps topping out in the upper 50s to low 60s. Tides are running moderate, with high tide this morning at 8:03 AM and the next low tide hitting at 2:27 PM. This typical May tide swing is prime for chasing both inshore and offshore favorites.

Striped bass are the headline this week. Migratory schools have started to slide over the southern border, and local anglers are starting to see more schoolies mixing with the occasional keeper up to 30 inches, especially around the river mouths and rocky points. Your best action early and late is on large topwater plugs and flutter spoons, but don’t overlook a classic soft plastic on a jighead, especially in the estuaries and back bays where herring runs are thick[1].

Bluefish have been pushing into our bays, and a few anglers are already reporting steady bites on metal lures and spoons. If you want to tangle with something bigger, the offshore scene is lighting up. Groundfishing on Southern Jeffreys Ledge and Platts Bank has been solid. Boats are reporting excellent haddock numbers, alongside good landings of cusk, redfish, and the occasional pollock and cod. One party boat this week even weighed in a halibut and several Maine trophy redfish—the deep drop bite is on, especially at anchor[3].

Flounder and tautog are picking up for inshore bottom fishermen. Flounder are feeding best on sandworms or clams, and tautog are chomping on green crabs around rocky structure.

As for bait and lure recommendations, stick to large soft plastics, live or chunked herring, and sandworms if you are targeting stripers or blues. For groundfish, clams and squid strips on double rigs are producing best. For tautog, it’s hard to beat a simple green crab on a stout hook.

If you’re looking for hot spots, check out the mouth of the Saco River for early bass and bluefish, or make the trip offshore to Southern Jeffreys Ledge for a mixed bag of haddock, cusk, and pollock. Portland Head Light and the ledges around Cape Elizabeth are also prime grounds right now.

That’s the word from the water on this fine Mother’s Day Sunday. Tight lines and don’t forget to check your regs—especially if you’re after halibut. See you on the water[1][3].