Striped Bass, Cats, and Herring - A Hudson River Fishing Report

Artificial Lure here checking in with the Friday morning fishing report for the Hudson River, right where the city meets the current. We started the day off cold and clear — sunrise came at 6:51 AM, with sunset coming up at 4:34 PM, leaving us a short window of daylight. According to the National Weather Service, winds are light out of the south at around 5 knots, with water temperatures dipping into the upper 40s, so dress warm. Tides are playing into anglers’ favor: high tide peaked near 5:30 AM and will go out to low around 12:00 PM. If you’re heading out late, look for the incoming tide around 6:10 PM, ideal for those stuck behind the desk all day. Calm seas and gentle winds mean casting from shore or pier is easy and productive. Recent catches have focused on the **striped bass**, still hanging in from the fall run. Reports from Tackle Box Fishing Co. earlier this week say the bite has been solid, especially near the Battery and the Intrepid Pier, with chunky stripers hitting bunker chunks and live eels, especially when the tide is moving. Up near George Washington Bridge, anglers are pulling a mix of **schoolies and a few keepers**, averaging 24 to 33 inches. While the big migratory cows are thinning out, there’s still plenty of action for those willing to work for it. Folks tossing **soft plastics**, especially Zoom Flukes and Storm Shads, are connecting just off the pilings, and the classic **white bucktail** remains a top producer near Pier 84 and down at Riverside Park. If you’re boat fishing, try trolling a deep-diving crankbait or working a SP Minnow along the channel edges. Night owls should consider spinnerbaits or black/jig combos to target bass nosing up against structure after dark, taking a page from Cody Huff’s night setup — don’t forget that vibration in murky water. **River herring, American shad, and the odd blueback** are showing up in the bycatch — numbers from recent council data remind us these species are moving in the tidal swings, so if you’re looking to go light tackle and fun, grab some sabiki rigs and test your luck for herring to toss as live bait. Shad numbers are up on the north end, especially in the slack water behind old pilings. Just remember: bag limits and slot sizes are strictly enforced, so keep that measuring tape handy. Bottom fishers are still picking up **channel cats** with cut bunker and bloodworms while the water’s cold. If you’re after a mixed bag, toss a chicken liver near the seawall by Dyckman Marina or up at Spuyten Duyvil. Occasional walleye and smallmouth are getting landed up river toward Yonkers — try jigging near rocky ledges or cast egg imitators in tribs for bonus brown trout and steelhead. For best results today: - **Live eels** and **fresh bunker** chunks on moving tide for stripers - **White bucktails**, soft plastics, and SP Minnows at dusk and dawn - **Bloodworms** and cut bait for bottom fishing cats - **Sabiki rigs** for herring and shad if you want quick action Top hot s This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.