The Hudson River Fishermen’s Association has been working for Public Access to the shoreline of the Hudson River since it’s inception. There was a time when all you found along the water’s edge were burned out abandoned piers and skeletons of factories gone bad. The River and the shoreline were dying. Pollution flowed past the remnants left from an industrial age long gone. Times change and residential waterfront property became very desirable and valuable. The cleaner the river got, the property values grew. Developers began the condo explosion. The more residents of these expanding condos...the more shopping malls were needed.

Some farsighted officials of the NJ DEP and the HRFA NJ, and the state, not wanting the developers to cut off the river from the people, initiated a law which stated anyone wanting to develop property at the water’s edge, would have to comply with a new Walkway Regulation. The Hudson River Walkway was to be built, by the developers on the property thirty feet wide along the water’s edge. All the property along the shoreline of the Hudson from the Bayonne Bridge to the George Washington Bridge would be linked by this walkway. This opened up the shoreline for people to enjoy and one of those enjoyments is fishing.

Many places along the Hudson River shoreline and the Walkway can be fished. Some locations hold concentrations of fish more than others. The shape of the land, depth, underwater structure and current all play a part of whether location holds fish or not. The locations listed in this pamphlet are among the best places that hold fish along the Hudson River shoreline. The information gathered is from interviews with many members of the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association and their many years of fishing these shores.

Times are important to all our fishing. Time of day, time of year, time of tide, time left on the parking meter, what time did I tell my wife I’d be home? What time did Tony tell me he did so well at this very same spot?

Many fish of the Hudson are cyclical. They are migratory. Some fish stay in the river all year long. Some are ambush feeders and some are built for speed. Some are masters of surprise. They all have to eat. Our job is to out fool these creatures into thinking our bait is a piece of food. Our objective, as the top species of the food chain...is to be able to outwit a species with a brain less than 1/25 the size of the human’s. To outwit a species that doesn’t reason but only uses reflexes.

Sometimes that’s tougher than others.

For the larger fish, meaning striped bass and bluefish, you might want to use a 7’ to 9’ foot medium action graphite rod. The size line can range from 15 to 30 pound test with a good capacity salt water reel. The rod & reel set-up should be able to cast from a one to three ounce sinker. Beginning fishermen might choose a spinning outfit as opposed to a bait casting outfit, but that will be determined by the individual angler’s preference. Fish what you feel comfortable with. If you find bluefish in the area, you might want to put on some wire leader to prevent getting bit off.

For the smaller species in the river, Tommy cod, white perch, and catfish, I would recommend a smaller outfit. I would suggest a rod of 5 1/2 foot to 7 foot spinning rod with medium action and 6 to 10 pound line.

H.R.F.A. members will study the tide charts of a particular area to see where the fish might be at a given point of the tide. Tide reports can be obtained from various publications or tackle shops in the area.

Water temperature also plays a roll in fishing the Hudson but is usually a determining factor in which species might be present or not. Migrating fish species will be following their favorite bait fish which will be following water temperatures very closely.

The premiere sportfish of the Hudson River is the striped bass. These fish are structure oriented. They feed by ambush. Understanding this is of particular importance when trying to outwit and catch these creatures. The large pectoral fins and broad tail, enable this species to be in control, in heavy current while other species (the baitfish) may not. Compare the fins to that of the bluefish whose forked tail is built for speed for out running it’s prey. With the feeding habits and body design in mind, pick the fishing locations with somewhat of current break, or structure, and cast your bait. When you catch a fish, make a note of when you caught it...date, time, tidal conditions (incoming? outgoing?), water temp, etc.