Hudson River Fishing Report: Stripers, Blues, and Spring Conditions in NYC

Artificial Lure here with your Hudson River fishing report for Monday, May 5, 2025. We got a beautiful start to the day with sunrise right around 5:45 AM and sunset expected just after 8:00 PM. This morning’s weather is classic spring in the city—mostly clear, temps in the upper 50s early with a light breeze, and expected to hit the low 70s mid-afternoon. Light jackets early, but you’ll be in shirtsleeves by noon. Tidewise, we’re coming off the new moon which means stronger currents and some solid movement in the river. The outgoing tide at dawn will have those predators feeding aggressively, especially just after sunrise and again later this evening on the incoming. Now, let’s get to the action. The big story this week is striped bass—loads of them, and in all sizes. Migratory schools are thick in the lower river, with 30-inchers showing in good numbers and some true cows running past 40 pounds landed in the last few days. Most headboats out of Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan are reporting easy limits of slot fish, with plenty of big girls caught and released. The bite has been best wherever big bunker schools are holding, so keep your eyes on the water for nervous bait. Bluefish also showed up in good size, slashing through bunker pods just off the South Bronx and Harlem River stretches. If you’re looking for a quick fight and some drag-burning action, these are your ticket. For shorebound anglers, bottom fishing for trout is still an option in the upper tidal Hudson, thanks to recent NYSDEC stockings near Johnston and the Croton area. Brown trout are taking worms and small jigs, with some up to 15 inches caught this month. Best baits and lures? For stripers, nothing beats fresh bunker chunks or live eels if you’ve got ’em, but don’t overlook big soft plastics, swim shads, and magnum jerkbaits—chartreuse and bunker patterns especially. Bluefish will hammer anything flashy or noisy; think poppers, metal spoons, and bright stickbaits. Hot spots today include the piers along the West Harlem Piers Park, the mouth of the Harlem River by Randall’s Island, and anywhere in the lower East River where bait piles up. Jamaica Bay and the Battery remain striper magnets, especially on the outgoing. All in all, it’s prime time on the Hudson—striped bass are thick, the weather’s perfect, and the river’s alive. Get out there while the run is on and tight lines! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.