As of November 9, 2024, the fishing scene in the Atlantic Ocean off Maine is quite dynamic, given the current weather and sea conditions.

### Weather and Sea Conditions
Today, the winds are strong, coming from the north at 15 to 20 knots, with gusts up to 30 knots, especially in the morning. This is expected to diminish to 10 to 15 knots by the afternoon. Seas are rough, ranging from 3 to 5 feet, with wave details showing a northwest direction at 5 seconds and a southeast direction at 9 seconds[1].

### Tidal Report
For the coastal waters of Maine, the high tide is expected around 9:30 AM, and the low tide around 3:30 PM. These tidal changes can significantly impact fish activity, especially in areas with varied structure.

### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise today is at 6:23 AM, and sunset will be at 4:04 PM, providing a decent window for both morning and afternoon fishing trips.

### Fish Activity
Despite the challenging weather, fish activity remains promising. Yesterday's fishing trips in the Gulf of Maine reported excellent landings, particularly of pollock. Anglers brought in several large pollock, with the largest weighing up to 20 pounds. Other catches included cod, haddock, cusk, and mackerel. Dogfish and blue sharks were also common, though many were released due to size restrictions[5].

### Best Lures and Bait
Given the current conditions, jigs and flies have been the most effective for catching fish. For groundfish like haddock and pollock, using jigs and cod flies has yielded the best results. For those targeting striped bass, which are still active in the area, live mackerel and pollock have been highly effective. Large plastics like GT eels and other soft plastics are also recommended, especially in estuaries and rivers[3][5].

### Hot Spots
One of the hot spots right now is the lower Piscataqua River, adjacent to the Navy Yard, which has been producing consistently for striped bass. Free-swimming mackerel in this area have attracted larger linesiders. Another good spot is the beaches around Old Orchard, Biddeford Pool, or Higgins Beach, where surfcasters have been successful with sand eels and other small bait[3].

In summary, while the weather is rough, the fish are active, and with the right lures and bait, you can have a successful day on the water. Just be sure to check the latest regulations and ensure your safety given the sea conditions.