CatchWindow fishing intelligence

Portland, ME Daily Water Report — August 27, 2026

Sailing takes the top spot today with a 9/10, and for good reason. A south wind building through the morning will deliver steady 10-knot breeze by midday, gusting into the teens, with clear skies and 28 kilometers of visibility. That’s a legitimately good day to be on a boat under sail. The catch: the same wind that powers sails will also kick up a choppy, short-period sea. Waves average around a meter with a 3-second wind-wave interval, so powerboaters and anglers will feel every slap through the hull. The fishing score of 5.7/10 reflects that messy sea state and a falling barometer, even with solunar periods at mid-morning and evening. Surfing scores a 7.3/10, and while the swell is modest at half a meter from the southeast, the onshore wind will hold up some fun, cleanable lines—best early before the breeze really builds. Diving scores 7.2/10, but that’s deceptive: water clarity is likely poor given a chlorophyll reading of 16.38 mg/m³, which indicates a heavy bloom. The score incorporates available clarity data, but visibility on site will be reduced. If you’re in the water, expect to feel the warmth—sea surface temperature is 18.2° C, a full degree and change above normal for late August. Kayaking at 4/10 is the weak link today; the combination of building wind, short-period chop, and a brisk tidal current will make for a workout, not a pleasure cruise. Compared with the past several days, today is a reversal. Yesterday and the day before offered pristine boating and kayaking conditions with winds under 3 knots and seas near flat. That window has closed. The trade-off is that sailing and surfing now have energy to work with. The exception is the very start of the day: around midnight, winds were nearly calm and waves bottomed out at half a meter. By dawn at 4:59, the wind was already stirring. Looking ahead, the coming days trend calmer. Thursday keeps a similar wave profile but with lighter wind. By Friday and into the weekend, seas settle to half a meter or less, and the wind drops further. That’s your return window for flat-water paddling and calm boating. If you want to sail today, rig early and stay out until the breeze fades at sunset. The best bet before the weekend glass-off: get your sails up before the sea gets too short-tempered.