Hudson River - what fish and lure to use?

[phdezra]

Hi all. Everyday I go to work aboard a Metro North train departing from the Riverdale station http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverdale_%28Metro-North_station%29 which touches the Hudson River and I've noticed there are several locations from which to fish. In the photo attached, you can see 'over' the fence there are some benches. But even beyond the benches you can go 'down' a bit more for fishing.

What species of fish would be here and what kind of lure would I use? I have a few spinner rods, in addition to my fly rod, so I am thinking of using a 7', medium rod with spinner lures or spoons or...?  Looking for a few basic recommendations of stuff I could pick up at Cabelas or Bass Pro. Thanks.

[JulesArcher]

I was just reading in interesting piece on Walleyes in the Hudson River.  I never knew they were there.  I've known and heard about Stripers being in there.  I'd like to learn more about catching Walleyes in the Hudson.  Where they are at, what they bite on, etc.  As far as the "where" part of your question, I'll be interested to hear the responses you get also.

[Balang]

hey phdezra... i've fished the hudson near tarrytown and use a big surf rod with bunker chunks for stripers during the runs. you need a far cast to get past the rocky bed near the shoreline. i use a baitcaster reel and a fish finder rig and let the line run for a bit. a 5oz sinker is usually. i've caught stripers, eels from using shrimp, catfish using worms.  good luck!

[shawnhu]

Usually, I also fish the Tarrytown/Croton Point Park areas on the Hudson, but that's usually due to lack of access.  This is an interesting spot, as it's closer to home for me and parking at the train station.

Species that can be found on the Hudson that I know of is:

Striped Bass
White Perch
Bullhead Catfish
Carp

I'm not sure if this part of the Hudson will hold LMB and SMB, but I know further up, there are.  Since this part of the river is north of the GW, you are allowed to keep 1 Striper 18" or more when in season.  When fishing this body of water, you'll need both your Freshwater License and Marine Registry if you don't want to be bothered by the authorities.

Most people that fish the Hudson prefer to use bloodworms, especially during the Spring.  March 15th is opening day for Striped Bass, and the fishing is usually good with many keepers.

[KenH]

While there are certainly bullhead catfish in the Hudson further up where
it's mostly freshwater, the catfish in the Hudson in our area are White Catfish,
the same as those in Cross River, Muscoot, New Croton, etc.
Although called White Cats, they are anywhere from Grey to Black and shaped
exactly like a bullhead, but get much larger with 3-4 lb being pretty common and going up to I think 7/8lbs. Also unlike bullheads, they like Brackish water
which is why they are so abundant in the lower Hudson. Becauseof their color and size they are also often mistaken for Channel Cats.
 

[shawnhu]

Thanks for the correction Ken, they might he White Cats and not Bullheads.

[KenH]

I see those fishing areas at Riverdale every morning as well. And often I'll see a couple of guys drowning bait, bells on he rod tips and all.
Whatever you choose to use in terms of equipment just note that because of the strong tides and saltwater environment, everyone uses saltwater rods/reels, at least up to the Tappan Zee. The gear needs to be stout enough to cast at least a 3 oz sinker with rig. Most people tend to use bait, usually sandworms, bloodworms if available. While the rocky bottom lends itself to snagging, I have heard of people having success casting bucktails.

[phdezra]

Very interesting input thus far. I thought I heard elsewhere of peeps having success using some Rapala type crank bait lures? Personally, I find using bait such as worms not too challenging. I mean, sure I use them with the kids when at the lake, but us like to use spinners, spoons or crank airs so I'm wondering if that would work?

Question for the naive: define 'bucktails'?

[Montrose]

I'll chime in here for a minute.  Down near riverdale there's a much better chance at salwater species than further up near tarrytown and beyond.  the ever present white cats, eels, white perch, and stripers will all be there.  However, you also have a good chanceat bluefish and weakfish and even things like red hake (ling) and tomcod at this time of year. 

Strictly fresh species like walleyes, LMB, etc are not likely to be caught that far south.  Bait will trump all else in terms of action.  blod and sandworms are good choces as are the bunker chunks noted above.  If you want to use strictly lures, I would suggest large cranks like Rapalas, Bombers and Rebels for the stripers and blues.

This year is weird due to the storms in August that pushed the salt line all the way to the bowery, so catching might be tough.

[KenH]

Very interesting input thus far. I thought I heard elsewhere of peeps having success using some Rapala type crank bait lures? Personally, I find using bait such as worms not too challenging. I mean, sure I use them with the kids when at the lake, but us like to use spinners, spoons or crank airs so I'm wondering if that would work?
Question for the naive: define 'bucktails'?

I share in your feeling that bait isn't as challenging as artificials. But the Hudson most of the time in our area has visibility close to zero and I'm sure
the scent of bait is a major reason why the vast majority of fishermen use it.
As for bucktails, the term means different things to different fishing groups,
but for striper fishermen it means a leadheaded jig with a single upturned hook
with a deer-hair (well maybe not deer anymore) skirt. The colors red/white and
white have been the traditional favorites.

[KenH]

I'll chime in here for a minute.  Down near riverdale there's a much better chance at salwater species than further up near tarrytown and beyond.  the ever present white cats, eels, white perch, and stripers will all be there.  However, you also have a good chanceat bluefish and weakfish and even things like red hake (ling) and tomcod at this time of year. 

When I was a kid I use to fish the Hudson and I have caught;
Porgies, Fluke, Hogchoker, Blackfish, and amazingly...a Jack Crevalle
in the middle of the summer. All of these were pretty small though from
what I remember.

[phdezra]

Most people that fish the Hudson prefer to use bloodworms, especially during the Spring.  March 15th is opening day for Striped Bass, and the fishing is usually good with many keepers.

March 15? Am I allowed to fish now (during the winter?)

-Ezra

[shawnhu]

Striped bass: Hudson River north of George Washington Bridge
Minimum Size - 18"
Possession Limit - 1
Open Season - Mar 16 - Nov 30

Reference - http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7894.html

[Montrose]

When I was a kid I use to fish the Hudson and I have caught;
Porgies, Fluke, Hogchoker, Blackfish, and amazingly...a Jack Crevalle
in the middle of the summer. All of these were pretty small though from
what I remember.

I have caught fluke and hogchokers, red hake, sturgeon.  Never got the jacks, though I have seen them as well as Virginia Spot some years.  Been a long time since I've seen them too.   Weakies would mix in sometimes w/ the snapper blues as well as (some large) Atlantic needlefish.  Man those things would stink like the smelliest fish and metal smell mix together.

But you're right Ken.  The size of the SW fish was generally small since they were often young of the year.  Also, a good hurricane coming up the coast early in the season would almost guarantee some differing species in the mix late summer and fall.  Also, the bell tipped rod fishers are usually targeting carp.

Tomcod were always a perennial favorite in the winter and usually started to show around Thaksgiving.  I wouldn't be surprised to see that delayed this year w/ the warmer temps.  Might break out some clam chum and sandworms this year for old time's sake.

Just for clarification with the catfish...Down near Riverdale, most likely its the White cats.  Large, wide, flat head tapering body shape, w/ a forked tail and NO spots.  Further up river the bullheads and more recently channel cats are more common.  Bullheads are generally small and yellowish brown, but they have a very squared off tail (no fork).  Channel cats are olive to bluish black, have very long whiskers, smaller heads, generally long and slender w/ a deeply forked tail and small black spot on their sides.  Channel cats will hit crank baits used to target stripers as well.

[KenH]

Thanks Ed. Yes, I forgot to mention spot, the small croaker.
I also forgot to mention that one summer I was casting a very small
kastmaster in the hopes of running into snappers and I caught a baby
great barracuda about 7 inches long.