The New York Times has a rich history of puzzle innovation, beginning with its inaugural crossword puzzle on February 15, 1942, published in the Sunday Magazine. Created by Charles Erlenkotter and edited by Margaret Farrar, it was the first major newspaper to include a crossword puzzle. Since then, the NYT has introduced several beloved games, including the Mini Crossword (2014), Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and Tiles. In 2022, the NYT launched the wildly popular Wordle, followed by other hits like Connections and Strands.

The latest addition, NYT Strands, offers a fresh take on word puzzles. This daily game challenges players to uncover all the theme-related words on a grid while solving the special Spangram, which stretches across two sides of the board. With its engaging and innovative approach, Strands quickly gained a loyal fan base, adding another exciting dimension to the NYT's diverse puzzle lineup.

Today’s NYT Strands Puzzle Theme: ‘Off the Hook’

Struggling with today’s puzzle? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find helpful hints, today’s answers, and the special Spangram to keep you on track!

Hints for Today’s NYT Strands Puzzle

Here’s a small nudge to help you solve the puzzle:

Hint: The words are all part of the same family of fish.

Today’s Spangram

The Spangram for January 9, 2025, is:
TUNAFAMILY

Answers for Today’s NYT Strands Puzzle
The theme-related words for today are:
ALBACORE, BIGEYE, BLUEFIN, SKIPJACK, YELLOWFIN

What Is NYT Strands and How to Play?

NYT Strands is a unique puzzle game that blends elements of Connections, Spelling Bee, and classic crossword puzzles. Players are given a 6x8 grid with 48 letters and a daily theme. The objective is to solve the Spangram and uncover all the theme-related words hidden in the grid.

How to Play:
Connect letters: Drag your mouse or fingers (on a touchscreen) across the grid to form words in horizontal, vertical, or diagonal directions.

Start with the Spangram: Identify the central theme word (Spangram) to better understand the puzzle’s theme.

Find theme-related words: Locate all the words associated with the theme to complete the puzzle.

Tips for Solving NYT Strands

Identify theme words: Spot and fill in the theme-related words first. These will appear in blue and won’t overlap with other words.

Solve the Spangram: The Spangram connects two opposite sides of the grid, encapsulating the theme. Once found, it’s highlighted in yellow.

Use hints wisely: For every three off-topic words you uncover, highlighted letters will guide you toward a theme word without directly revealing it.