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"Spring Stripers Surge in the Hudson: Outgoing Tide Bite, Live Bait, and Top Spots to Target Big Bass"
Hudson River anglers, here’s your report for Sunday, April 20, 2025, with the river waking up to prime spring action. Sunrise hit around 6:10 am, and sunset will be close to 7:40 pm, giving you a nice long window to get out on the water. The weather is mild, with spring temperatures expected in the low to mid 60s, and minimal wind early, picking up slightly into the afternoon—great conditions for both boaters and shoreline casters.
The tidal swing today features a low tide early this morning and incoming water for most of the day. Fishing the outgoing tide this afternoon should be your ticket, especially as it coincides with peak movement for predatory fish hunting bait.
Striped bass are the main story right now. The annual spring migration has been heating up, with reports showing schools of pre-spawn stripers pushing up the Hudson, following herring runs and looking to fatten up before spawning begins in earnest later this month. Smaller males are being caught regularly, but some larger females are just starting to arrive, and big fish are expected to become more prevalent in the coming days as the migration continues[1][4].
Recent catches include numerous stripers from 24 to 34 inches, with a few bigger fish pushing 40 inches being reported, mostly on live and chunked herring, along with artificial lures that mimic baitfish. The best baits right now are live or fresh chunk herring. If you’re throwing lures, shallow-diving metal lips, soft plastic paddle tails in white or bunker colors, and swimming plugs like SP Minnows or Bomber Long As have all been effective, especially during the outgoing tide and low-light periods[4].
For hot spots, the stretch from the George Washington Bridge up to Croton Point has been producing, with the mouth of the Saw Mill River and Yonkers waterfront being consistent, especially on the evening outgoing tides. Piermont Pier is another classic early-season location, drawing anglers targeting stripers as the tide moves baitfish along the flats.
Remember, striped bass regulations require careful handling and release if you’re not keeping a legal fish. Also, keep an eye out for bunker schools moving in, as their arrival can kick-start the first real blitzes of the year[4].
To sum it up: The bite is solid and just getting better. Focus on the afternoon outgoing tide, use fresh herring or white soft plastics and plugs, and check out Croton Point and Piermont Pier for your best shot at a big spring striper. Good luck out there, and tight lines!
The tidal swing today features a low tide early this morning and incoming water for most of the day. Fishing the outgoing tide this afternoon should be your ticket, especially as it coincides with peak movement for predatory fish hunting bait.
Striped bass are the main story right now. The annual spring migration has been heating up, with reports showing schools of pre-spawn stripers pushing up the Hudson, following herring runs and looking to fatten up before spawning begins in earnest later this month. Smaller males are being caught regularly, but some larger females are just starting to arrive, and big fish are expected to become more prevalent in the coming days as the migration continues[1][4].
Recent catches include numerous stripers from 24 to 34 inches, with a few bigger fish pushing 40 inches being reported, mostly on live and chunked herring, along with artificial lures that mimic baitfish. The best baits right now are live or fresh chunk herring. If you’re throwing lures, shallow-diving metal lips, soft plastic paddle tails in white or bunker colors, and swimming plugs like SP Minnows or Bomber Long As have all been effective, especially during the outgoing tide and low-light periods[4].
For hot spots, the stretch from the George Washington Bridge up to Croton Point has been producing, with the mouth of the Saw Mill River and Yonkers waterfront being consistent, especially on the evening outgoing tides. Piermont Pier is another classic early-season location, drawing anglers targeting stripers as the tide moves baitfish along the flats.
Remember, striped bass regulations require careful handling and release if you’re not keeping a legal fish. Also, keep an eye out for bunker schools moving in, as their arrival can kick-start the first real blitzes of the year[4].
To sum it up: The bite is solid and just getting better. Focus on the afternoon outgoing tide, use fresh herring or white soft plastics and plugs, and check out Croton Point and Piermont Pier for your best shot at a big spring striper. Good luck out there, and tight lines!
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By Quiet. PleaseHudson River anglers, here’s your report for Sunday, April 20, 2025, with the river waking up to prime spring action. Sunrise hit around 6:10 am, and sunset will be close to 7:40 pm, giving you a nice long window to get out on the water. The weather is mild, with spring temperatures expected in the low to mid 60s, and minimal wind early, picking up slightly into the afternoon—great conditions for both boaters and shoreline casters.
The tidal swing today features a low tide early this morning and incoming water for most of the day. Fishing the outgoing tide this afternoon should be your ticket, especially as it coincides with peak movement for predatory fish hunting bait.
Striped bass are the main story right now. The annual spring migration has been heating up, with reports showing schools of pre-spawn stripers pushing up the Hudson, following herring runs and looking to fatten up before spawning begins in earnest later this month. Smaller males are being caught regularly, but some larger females are just starting to arrive, and big fish are expected to become more prevalent in the coming days as the migration continues[1][4].
Recent catches include numerous stripers from 24 to 34 inches, with a few bigger fish pushing 40 inches being reported, mostly on live and chunked herring, along with artificial lures that mimic baitfish. The best baits right now are live or fresh chunk herring. If you’re throwing lures, shallow-diving metal lips, soft plastic paddle tails in white or bunker colors, and swimming plugs like SP Minnows or Bomber Long As have all been effective, especially during the outgoing tide and low-light periods[4].
For hot spots, the stretch from the George Washington Bridge up to Croton Point has been producing, with the mouth of the Saw Mill River and Yonkers waterfront being consistent, especially on the evening outgoing tides. Piermont Pier is another classic early-season location, drawing anglers targeting stripers as the tide moves baitfish along the flats.
Remember, striped bass regulations require careful handling and release if you’re not keeping a legal fish. Also, keep an eye out for bunker schools moving in, as their arrival can kick-start the first real blitzes of the year[4].
To sum it up: The bite is solid and just getting better. Focus on the afternoon outgoing tide, use fresh herring or white soft plastics and plugs, and check out Croton Point and Piermont Pier for your best shot at a big spring striper. Good luck out there, and tight lines!
The tidal swing today features a low tide early this morning and incoming water for most of the day. Fishing the outgoing tide this afternoon should be your ticket, especially as it coincides with peak movement for predatory fish hunting bait.
Striped bass are the main story right now. The annual spring migration has been heating up, with reports showing schools of pre-spawn stripers pushing up the Hudson, following herring runs and looking to fatten up before spawning begins in earnest later this month. Smaller males are being caught regularly, but some larger females are just starting to arrive, and big fish are expected to become more prevalent in the coming days as the migration continues[1][4].
Recent catches include numerous stripers from 24 to 34 inches, with a few bigger fish pushing 40 inches being reported, mostly on live and chunked herring, along with artificial lures that mimic baitfish. The best baits right now are live or fresh chunk herring. If you’re throwing lures, shallow-diving metal lips, soft plastic paddle tails in white or bunker colors, and swimming plugs like SP Minnows or Bomber Long As have all been effective, especially during the outgoing tide and low-light periods[4].
For hot spots, the stretch from the George Washington Bridge up to Croton Point has been producing, with the mouth of the Saw Mill River and Yonkers waterfront being consistent, especially on the evening outgoing tides. Piermont Pier is another classic early-season location, drawing anglers targeting stripers as the tide moves baitfish along the flats.
Remember, striped bass regulations require careful handling and release if you’re not keeping a legal fish. Also, keep an eye out for bunker schools moving in, as their arrival can kick-start the first real blitzes of the year[4].
To sum it up: The bite is solid and just getting better. Focus on the afternoon outgoing tide, use fresh herring or white soft plastics and plugs, and check out Croton Point and Piermont Pier for your best shot at a big spring striper. Good luck out there, and tight lines!