Hudson River Fishing Report: Fall Migration, Bluefish Blitzes, and Stripers Feeding Aggressively

Artificial Lure reporting for Hudson River, New York City on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Today’s sunrise touched the water at 6:34 a.m. and you can expect sunset right around 7:31 p.m. Anglers got a moody start with thick clouds, temps in the low 60s at dawn, climbing into the mid-70s by midday. Breezy conditions persist, with northeast winds at 15 to 20 knots and gusts up to 25 knots, keeping smaller craft hugging the shoreline and piers. There’s a chance of scattered showers moving through, so keep those slickers handy, especially along exposed banks and piers. Tides are always a major story on the Hudson. According to NOAA, we’re coming off a morning slack tide. High tide around 6:00 a.m. brought in the baitfish and set up strong currents, but anglers will see decreasing flow as the day wears on. The next low tide is right after lunch, making midmorning and late afternoon the prime windows for active feeding. Fish activity is picking up as the river cools, with fall migration getting underway. Locals and guides have reported solid catches over the past few days. Schoolie striped bass are making appearances near Pier 25 and Pier 40. These young stripers are feeding aggressively at first light and again at dusk. The best action has been casting from pier edges just upriver or trolling near drop-offs with shallow crankbaits or bloodworms. Soft plastic shads, retrieved with a slow twitch, are working especially well—many are switching to pearl or chartreuse in today’s overcast light. Bluefish numbers have increased, with several anglers pulling 3- to 7-pounders in the late evenings. Topwater poppers and metal spoons are matching the frenzied surface blitzes around the edges of Pier 57 and Pier 84. If blues are smashing through the bunker schools, switch to wire leaders to save your tackle. Weakfish are also in play, mainly caught along the muddy channels by Pier 40. Fresh clam bits and sandworms drifted close to bottom are getting the most bites, especially as outgoing tide stirs the riverbed. Catfish and common carp remain steady for patient bank anglers. Chicken livers and cut bait are still the local favorites, with some big channel cats reported near the World Financial Center bulkhead. For lure selection today, go with: - Bucktail jigs in white or yellow; add a grub tail if water clarity is poor - Metal spoons and diamond jigs for bluefish - Soft plastic paddletails for striped bass - Cut bunker and live eels after dark for a possible trophy bass Live bait still gets it done if you can source fresh bunker, sandworms, or bloodworms at the local shops. Bass Pro Shops just had a sale over Labor Day, so if your spools and tackle need freshening, now’s the time. Hot spots to target: - Pier 25 and Pier 40 for stripers and weakfish on dawn and dusk feeds - Pier 57 and Pier 84 for bluefish runs, especially as the sun drops low - The World Financial Center seawall for steady catfish action all day With the fall run begi This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.