Atlantic Fishing Outlook: Promising Catches and Ideal Conditions off the Maine Coast

As of October 6, 2024, the fishing scene in the Atlantic Ocean off Maine is showing some promising signs, despite the lingering warm weather.

### Weather and Tides
Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 65 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 50 degrees. The winds will be moderate, coming in from the northeast at about 10 mph. Tides are crucial, and today’s high tide is at 8:30 AM, with the low tide at 2:30 PM. Sunrise was at 6:45 AM, and sunset will be at 5:45 PM.

### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw a mix of activity, particularly for those targeting groundfish and stripers. The groundfish bite on Jeffrey’s Ledge was excellent, with anglers catching a good number of haddock, pollock, and cusk. Tuna fishing also showed promise, with tuna being found among schools of haddock in deeper waters.

### Catch Reports
From the reports, it's clear that pollock were the stars of the show. On a recent trip, anglers landed several pollock, with the largest weighing in at 10 pounds. Other catches included haddock, cusk, and mackerel. Dogfish were plentiful but not the target for most anglers.

### Best Lures and Bait
For stripers, mackerel remains the most reliable bait, especially during the day. At night, eels and soft plastic stick baits are proving effective. For groundfish, cod flies and bait worked well, especially when drifting.

### Hot Spots
If you're looking to get out on the water, Jeffrey’s Ledge is a hot spot for groundfish, with its excellent haddock and pollock bite. The Lower Piscataqua River is another good spot, where bass are smashing schools of tinker macks. For those targeting stripers, the beaches around Plum Island are seeing good action, particularly with mackerel as bait.

Overall, it's a good time to be out on the water in Maine, with a variety of fish species active and the weather cooperating. Just be prepared for the moderate winds and changing tides.