Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure coming at you live from the Charles River, Boston, and I’ve got the lowdown on what’s biting, where, and how to get your line tight today—October 21, 2025.

Let’s talk tides first, because if you’re not paying attention to the water, you’re just casting blind. According to the latest NOAA and local tide charts, Boston’s seen a morning low around 5:00 AM, a solid high tide just after 11:00 AM, another low in the late afternoon around 5:25 PM, and a final high pushing in near midnight. That means prime feeding windows at the turn of the tide, especially as the water starts to move—fish get active, and so should you. Remember, the Charles is tidal all the way up past the Hatch Shell, so plan your spots accordingly.

Now, the weather—fall in New England is never dull, and today’s no exception. We’re looking at crisp autumn air, mostly sunny skies, with temps climbing from the low 40s at dawn up to near 60 by mid-afternoon. Wind’s light out of the northwest, maybe 5–10 mph—perfect for keeping your line where you want it. Sunrise was right around 7:03 AM, and we’ll see sunset at about 5:53 PM. That gives us plenty of daylight for both the early birds and the after-work crowd.

So, what’s biting? The Charles has been giving up a mixed bag lately, and that’s what makes it so much fun. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are still active along the riprap and weed edges, especially in the deeper bends between the BU Bridge and the Museum of Science. I’ve heard tales of some hefty smallies in the 3–4 pound range, with a few nice largemouths tipping the scales even higher. The secret? They’re keyed in on the autumn shad and herring runs—anything that mimics these baitfish is gold.

Stripers are still patrolling the lower river near the Museum of Science and the mouth, though the numbers are thinning as they start to head out for the winter. But don’t count them out—a few schoolies in the 20–26 inch range are still being caught on jerkbaits and soft plastics fished slow along the current seams.

Crappie and perch are schooling up in the slack water behind the bridges—try a small jig tipped with a minnow or a tiny inline spinner. I’ve also seen some anglers pulling up white perch and even the odd carp, especially around the docks and pilings near the Esplanade.

Now, let’s talk gear. For bass, you can’t beat a natural-colored jerkbait or a 3/8-ounce football jig with a green pumpkin trailer. Topwater early and late—think walking baits and poppers—then switch to a dropshot or Ned rig as the sun gets higher. For stripers, go with a white or chartreuse paddle tail on a 3/8-ounce jig head, or a slow-rolled spinnerbait. Crappie and perch? Micro jigs and live minnows under a float.

As for bait, live shiners are still the ticket for big bass, and sandworms or bloodworms will pull in everything from perch to stripers. But honestly, artificials are working just fine right now—less mess, more fun.

Hot spots? Don’t sleep on the stretch between the Longfellow and Mass Ave bridges—deep water, current breaks, and plenty of structure. The docks and piers around the Hatch Shell and the Esplanade are also holding fish, especially early and late in the day. And for a real sleeper, try the backwater eddies behind the Boston University Boathouse—shallow, weedy, and full of hungry bass.

So there you have it—fall’s in full swing on the Charles, the fish are feeding, and the bite’s on. Get out there, enjoy the crisp air and the changing leaves, and maybe even put a bend in your rod. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for the latest local intel.

This has been a Quiet Please production—for more, check out quietplease.ai.

Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI