As of October 20, 2024, the fishing scene in the Atlantic Ocean off Maine is looking promising, despite some challenges.

### Weather and Tidal Conditions
The weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with mild air temperatures and sunny skies, making it a perfect day for fishing. The winds are moderate, which should not hinder the fishing experience significantly. Tides are crucial, and today you can expect a high tide around 9:30 AM and a low tide around 3:30 PM.

### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise was at 6:57 AM, and sunset will be at 5:34 PM, giving you ample daylight to spend on the water.

### Fish Activity
Yesterday's fishing was very good, especially after 10:00 AM when the sea state improved. The most abundant catch was pollock, with many of them being larger in size compared to previous days. Other legal landings included cod, haddock, redfish, cusk, whiting, and a significant number of mackerel. However, the presence of blue sharks and dogfish continued to be a nuisance, with several blue sharks overpowering the gear and numerous dogfish being released.

### Best Lures and Bait
Jigs and cod flies were the most effective tools for catching fish. No bait was used, as jigs and cod flies outperformed all other methods. For those targeting striped bass, live mackerel fished tight to rocky fingers have been working well.

### Hot Spots
Jeffrey’s Ledge and the Mudhole remain top spots for groundfish like haddock, cod, and cusk. Boone Island Ledge off York, Maine, is also yielding good results, particularly for giants, with stickbait mackerel fished close to the bottom just outside the lobster trap line being effective. For striped bass, the Lower Piscataqua River area and Rye Harbor are solid recommendations.

Overall, the fishing conditions are favorable today, with good weather and active fish populations. Just be prepared to navigate through the occasional dogfish and blue shark encounters.