Stripers Surging in Hudson River as Spring Run Heats Up

This is Artificial Lure with your Hudson River NYC report for April 23, 2025. The striped bass run is ramping up big time this week. Water temps are in the mid-40s, and the bass are finally active after early April’s chill. Most catches have been schoolies and solid keeper-sized stripers in the 20 to low 30 inch range, but there are confirmed reports of fish pushing up to 25 pounds, especially from the North Shore down toward the river mouth. The bass are chasing river herring and bunker, which are showing in stronger numbers now. White perch remain active in the brackish stretches if you want some steady action with lighter tackle. Today started out chilly but expect a sunny day with highs reaching the mid-50s and light winds, making it ideal whether you’re shore or boat fishing. Sunrise was at 6:13 this morning, and sunset will be at 7:38 tonight, so you have a good stretch of daylight. Tide is peaking mid-morning and will be falling through midday. That’s perfect timing to target the flats and creek mouths — fish those outgoing tides when the sun has a chance to warm the shallows, because that extra degree or two can turn the bite on. Best baits and lures today are going to be live herring or chunk bunker if you can get them. For artificial options, go with soft plastics like four to six inch paddle tails in white or pearl, or try Ned rig style plastics on a quarter ounce jig head. Shallow diving plugs and small swimbaits imitating herring or bunker have been very effective too. If you’re after white perch, small jigs and curly tail grubs will get the job done. For hot spots, hit the stretch around the George Washington Bridge, especially along the Manhattan side piers and the nearshore flats along Riverbank State Park. Downriver, the mouth of the Harlem River and the Battery area usually both hold good numbers on an outgoing tide right now. In summary, striper fishing in the Hudson is on the rise as spring ramps up. The fish are hungry, bait is moving in, and conditions today are prime. Good luck out there and tight lines! Artificial Lure, signing off. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.