For today, December 22, 2024, fishing in the Puget Sound around Seattle is looking promising, especially given the current tidal and weather conditions.
### Tidal Report
As of today, the tidal times for Seattle are as follows: low tide at 3:11 AM with a height of 0.8 meters (2.63 ft), high tide at 10:31 AM with a height of 3.59 meters (11.77 ft), low tide at 5:21 PM with a height of 1.43 meters (4.69 ft), and high tide again at 10:33 PM with a height of 2.25 meters (7.38 ft)[3].
### Weather and Daylight
Sunrise is at 7:55 AM, and sunset is at 4:21 PM. The weather is expected to be calm, which is ideal for spotting fish rising to the surface.
### Fish Activity
Recently, the Puget Sound has been producing some very nice sea-run Cutthroat trout. These fish are active, especially during the early morning outgoing tides. You can also expect to see some Chum Salmon returning in the coming weeks, although their numbers are not yet at their peak[1].
### Types and Amounts of Fish
Yesterday saw a decent catch of sea-run Cutthroat trout, with some anglers reporting quality fish. Resident Coho salmon are also present, although their numbers are not as high as during the peak season. There have been reports of a few hard-fighting Pink salmon, though they are less common this time of year[1].
### Best Lures and Bait
For sea-run Cutthroat, use fly patterns that mimic chum fry, such as Chum Baby or Foul Free Herring. Small suggestive patterns mimicking copepods, amphipods, and other small crustacean larvae are also effective. For Coho and Pink salmon, baitfish patterns like Mini Deceiver or small Clouser Minnows work well. Slow down your retrieves and focus on winter fly patterns like Sculpin, Euphassiid, and Krill[1].
### Hot Spots
Two hot spots to consider are the beaches around Olympia, Budd Inlet, and the popular fishing areas near Seattle. Look for moving water and early morning outgoing tides, which tend to concentrate the fish. The South Puget Sound beaches have been particularly good for sea-run Cutthroat, so make sure to cover a lot of water and be patient[1].
Overall, today should be a good day for fishing in the Puget Sound, with the right combination of tides, weather, and fish activity. Good luck out there