Crisp Fall Mornings on the Hudson: Striper Fishing Report for NYC Anglers

Hey anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your local Hudson River report for Saturday, September 27th, 2025, right here in New York City. We’re coming off a crisp early fall morning, with sunrise at 6:56, sunset at 6:55, and a picture-perfect forecast—mostly sunny, highs pushing up toward the mid-70s, and light winds. If you’re heading out now, pack a light jacket for those dawn hours; expect patchy fog in spots, burning off quick once the sun’s up. Tide-wise, you’re looking at a moderately strong incoming cycle through mid-morning, tapering late morning before heading back out. That’s prime time for stripers to push up river, especially near structure around the piers. Water temps are still hovering around the low-60s, keeping bass lively. Recent activity: According to anglers at Silver Lake Nature Center’s public hearings and The Fisherman Magazine, early fall means big stripe bass migrating into the Hudson, gathering near Raritan Bay and lower Hudson before the big push upriver. Stripers in the 28-31 inch slot are showing up, with a sporadic presence of some over-slot trophies. Circle hooks and cut bunker are still legal and recommended for live bait setups—keep it fresh and on the bottom where these fish cruise. Bloodworms remain a solid backup if bunker is hard to find. Last few days saw solid numbers of schoolie stripers, with some double-digit catches per boat right off Riverbank State Park and the Battery. A handful of bluefish up to 7 pounds made appearances, with the classic poppers and spoons getting it done at first light. White bass are thinning out, but can still be found mid-river near pier clusters if you work a small jig deep. Locals report best artificial results with 5-inch soft shads on 1-ounce jig heads, white or chartreuse. If you’re soaking bait, chunked bunker or fresh mackerel will get the most attention. Nighttime chunkers are pulling the larger cows between the Manhattan and Jersey waterfront—if you can sneak in a late-evening drift, tides will line up for a good shot. Hotspots for today: - **Pier 25 (Hudson River Park):** Can’t beat the classic spot for stripers and blues during the incoming tide. Access is easy, and you’ll find a crew of regulars swapping tips. - **Riverbank State Park:** Good for mixed bag; stripers hang near the pilings and warm water outflow, blues blitzing bait balls from time to time. - **Battery Park:** Reliable for early season stripers and always a shot at a bruiser during the first couple hours after sunrise. Remember, local regulations still demand circle hooks for anything with natural bait, and the slot limits stick at 28-31 inches for stripers. If you’re new to the area, ask around—locals are usually more than happy to share a lure or tip. That’s today’s Hudson River update; gear up, watch those tides, and keep an eye out for bait schools moving upriver. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for more reports. This has been a Quiet Please production; for more check This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.