Late Fall Striper Showdown on the Hudson

Good morning, anglers—it’s Thursday, November 20th, 2025, and you’re fishing with Artificial Lure, delivering your daily Hudson River fishing report right here in NYC. We’re starting off with a classic late-fall chill. Sunrise hit at 6:49 a.m., with sunset coming early at 4:35 p.m. The weather is mostly clear and dry today, with temps in the mid-40s, though you’ll catch a brisk breeze off the water—so bundle up. National Weather Service marine data for the lower estuary calls for light ENE winds and calm seas, making it a fine morning for both boaters and shore-bound folks. Checking the Hudson’s tides, you’ll see an early morning high followed by a dropping tide into late morning—perfect timing for stripers to be on the move and feeding hard as bait is flushed out. This dropping tide will be your sweet spot for action near the piers and along rocky structure. Now let’s talk fish. Striped bass remain the main draw. According to Riverkeeper and local tackle shop chatter, the Hudson’s striper stocks are holding steady with continued catches—though regulations keep us mindful to release the smaller schoolies and big breeders. Most fish are running between 18" and 28", with a few slot keepers showing up, particularly in the shadowy pockets around Pier 96 and the Battery. There’ve been reports of some fat late-season hybrids scattered in the mix too. Anglers have also pulled up a handful of late fall white perch and decent channel cats, particularly up north near the George Washington Bridge and on the Jersey side by Edgewater. Herring have thinned out, but you might still spot a rogue bluefish blitz where bait gathers. For bait and tackle: live or chunked bunker is always a favorite for stripers—bunker heads or fresh fillets set up on fishfinder rigs do the trick. Eels (live if you can get ‘em) remain reliable, especially after dark, drifted along the channel edges. If you prefer to throw artificials, jerkbaits and big paddle-tail swimbaits in shad patterns are bringing in strikes, especially in stained or muddy water—just like Hudson’s winning technique last week with jerkbaits and minnows peppered close to the surface. Don’t overlook bright-colored jigs—chartreuse or white—in the deeper holes, especially when the water muddies after recent rains. Metal blade baits and spoons work great when the stripers are holding deeper; cast and yo-yo them back up the ledges for that reaction bite. Hot spots for the day: - Pier 96 is lighting up as water temps fall—schoolie stripers are pushing bait into shallow pockets on the drop. - The Battery—work the slack water behind the ferry slips and pilings, particularly on an outgoing tide. - George Washington Bridge pilings—channel cats and the occasional bigger striper are biting fresh cut bait right off the bottom. Stay mindful of the new striped bass measuring rules—keep those shorts and overs safe in the water. The population’s still rebounding, so let’s do our part. That’s your Thursday rundown, straigh This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.