Autumn Fishing on the Hudson: Stripers, Tautog, and More

As of October 5, 2024, the fishing scene in the Hudson River around New York City is looking promising despite the cooler fall weather setting in. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Tidal Report and Weather The high tide today is at around 9:47 AM, and the low tide is at 3:33 PM. Fishing during the hour before and after high tide is often the most productive due to the moving water. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 68°F and a low of 55°F, accompanied by a gentle breeze out of the northwest, making it a comfortable day for fishing. Sunrise is at 6:47 AM, and sunset is at 6:27 PM, giving you plenty of daylight. ### Fish Activity Fish activity in the Hudson River has been steady, especially in the lower portions. Striped bass, or stripers, are the main target for many anglers. Yesterday, anglers reported catching several striped bass in the 25 to 30 inch range. Males and smaller schoolies are present, with some larger females starting to make their way upstream. ### Catches Despite the limited number of boats out due to the recent wind, there were some notable catches. Striped bass were taking topwater plugs in the upper bay tributaries. Quality weakfish were caught around the area, and sheepshead and tautog were also landed in good numbers. ### Best Lures and Bait For striped bass, using topwater plugs and lures that mimic mullet or herring are highly effective. Bloodworms and small jigs are also working well, especially in areas with moving water. Bluefish can be caught using metal jigs or spoons. For tautog and sheepshead, crabs, clams, and mussels are the best baits. ### Hot Spots One of the hot spots is around the bridges and structure where tautog and sheepshead tend to congregate. Areas like Wappingers Creek are also producing good catches of striped bass. The upper bay tributaries, particularly where the water is moving, are excellent spots to try your luck with topwater plugs. Overall, the Hudson River is offering some exciting fishing opportunities as autumn approaches, so make sure to take advantage of the favorable conditions and tidal movements. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.