As of October 17, 2024, the fishing scene in the Atlantic Ocean off 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’s high tide is at 9:34 AM, with the low tide at 3:34 PM.

### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise is at 6:57 AM, and sunset will be at 5:23 PM, giving you ample daylight to hit the waters.

### Fish Activity
The bulk of the striped bass population has migrated south, but stragglers are still active, particularly around area beaches where they are chasing mackerel. Bluefish are also abundant, with big bluefish being caught off beaches and in bays. Tautog fishing is improving as water temperatures drop, with bigger fish found in shallow waters.

### Catch Reports
Yesterday, anglers reported a strong catch of pollock, cod, haddock, and redfish. Captain Tim Tower of the Bunny Clark Deep Sea Fishing noted that legal landings included several cod, haddock, redfish, cusk, and a significant number of pollock. Mackerel are still plentiful around the Isles of Shoals and Boone Island, making them a prime bait for bluefin tuna and other species.

### Best Lures and Bait
For offshore fishing, live mackerel unweighted or fished 60 feet down are producing well for recreational-sized tuna. Jigging deep on offshore ledges with jigs and cod flies is effective for catching pollock, cod, and haddock. Inshore, chunking mackerel and using lures are working well for striped bass and bluefish.

### Hot Spots
- **Isles of Shoals**: Known for its mackerel concentrations, this area is great for catching striped bass, bluefish, and even bluefin tuna.
- **Boone Island**: Another spot with plenty of mackerel, making it ideal for targeting striped bass and bluefish.
- **Platt’s Ledge**: For a mixed bag including bigger pollock and haddock, this ledge is a favorite among local anglers.

Overall, October is a great time to fish in Maine's coastal waters, with a variety of species still active and plentiful bait available.