As of October 17, 2024, the fishing scene off the coast of Maine is quite vibrant, despite the transitioning seasons.

### Weather and Tides
Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 58°F and a low of 45°F. The winds will be moderate, blowing at about 10 mph from the northwest. Tides are crucial, and today you'll see a high tide at 8:47 AM and a low tide at 3:04 PM.

### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise is at 6:57 AM, and sunset will be at 5:43 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and afternoon fishing trips.

### Fish Activity
The striped bass migration is in full swing, but you can still find some stragglers chasing mackerel off the beaches and near the mouths of rivers like the Piscataqua. However, the main event right now is the offshore fishery. Big pollock, cod, and haddock are abundant on the offshore ledges such as Platt’s Ledge and Tantas Ledge.

### Catch Reports
Yesterday saw a healthy mix of groundfish, with pollock being the standout catch. Captain Tim Tower from the Bunny Clark Deep Sea Fishing reported excellent landings, including several large pollock, cod, haddock, and even some redfish and cusk. Mackerel are still plentiful around the Isles of Shoals and Boone Island, making them ideal bait for targeting bluefin tuna, which have been active on Central Jeffrey’s and The Flag.

### Best Lures and Bait
For offshore fishing, jigs and cod flies are working well for pollock, cod, and haddock. Live mackerel, especially when fished unweighted and deep, are a favorite for bluefin tuna. For striped bass, mackerel and live groundfish like haddock or whiting are effective.

### Hot Spots
- **Platt’s Ledge**: Known for a mixed bag of bigger pollock, haddock, and cod.
- **Central Jeffrey’s**: A hotspot for commercial-sized bluefin tuna.
- **The Flag**: Holding big bluefin tuna.
- **Isles of Shoals**: Abundant with mackerel, which attract striped bass and bluefish.

Overall, it's a great time to be out on the water, with plenty of fish to target and favorable conditions despite the cooler weather. Just be prepared for some sea state challenges and the occasional blue shark encounter.