"Maine Fishing Forecast: Bluefish, Stripers, and Pollock Thrive in October Conditions"

As of October 10, 2024, the fishing scene off the coast of Maine is looking promising, especially with the current weather and tidal conditions.

### Weather and Tides
Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with mild temperatures, making it a comfortable day on the water. Sunrise is at around 6:45 AM, and sunset will be at about 5:45 PM. The tides are favorable, with a high tide at 8:30 AM and a low tide at 2:30 PM, which should provide good movement for the fish.

### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw a surge in bluefish activity, with these toothy predators being caught in abundance. They are averaging between 6-9 pounds and can be found in areas such as the mouth of the Little River, Drakes Island, and the jetties of Wells Harbor. Striped bass are also active, particularly off York and along the beaches from Higgin’s Beach down to Wells. These stripers are aggressive and can be caught using mackerel, trolling plugs, or the tube-and-worm setup.

### Catch Reports
Pollock continue to dominate the deep-sea catches, with many legal-sized fish landed. Yesterday's reports included significant numbers of pollock, along with cod, haddock, redfish, and cusk. Blue sharks and dogfish remain a nuisance but are less active today due to the cooler waters.

### Best Lures and Bait
For bluefish and striped bass, mackerel is the prime bait. Trolling an X-Rap or Rapala Magnum off Portsmouth, Seabrook, or Salisbury is highly recommended. For deeper waters, jigs and cod flies have been effective for catching pollock, cod, and haddock. Drifting live mackerel along beaches or ledges is also a good strategy for stripers.

### Hot Spots
- **Higgin’s Beach**: This area has been hot for bluefish and stripers, with big schools of bass busting bait just off the shore.
- **Wells Harbor**: The jetties here are a good spot for catching bluefish.
- **Jeffrey’s Ledge**: For those venturing offshore, this ledge has been producing big pollock and other groundfish.
- **Piscataqua River**: The lower river spots, especially near the 2KR Can and Great Bay Marina, are good for stripers, particularly under dock and pier lights.

Overall, it's a great time to be out on the water in Maine, with plenty of fish to target and favorable conditions to make your day productive and enjoyable.