Manhattan Rivers
Saturday, October 4, 1997
Fishing Manhattan rivers from the parks in the city that's "a subway stop away" from gorilla blues and stripers to 40 lbs...seen it, done it and now I'll tell you. Let's start on the east side...the Lower Eastside...under the Williamsburg Bridge...don't laugh, it's true. Stripers have a good run here in the spring and fall...and it's all accessible along the park...on either side of the bridge, depending on outgoing or incoming tide.
First of all it is safe, and has been for a while. I have personally caught stripers there up to 40 lbs. and have seen two 50 pounders over the last few years. There is an incredible amount of great structure on both sides of the bridge. Bunker chunks will always put you on a few cows...and clam bellies do well. Surfcasters are recommended and some rope to tie your rod on...to be sure that you it doesn't get wings and fly away when a 10 lb. blue comes along. It is a good spot for salty dog jigging using 10-15 lb. test to or I prefer 30 pound test spider wire for mor sensitivity and further casting with jig heads. Patience is a virtue here...no matter how good you think you are. I have had days with up to 20 fish to 15 lbs. And slow cow days of 5 fish 25 lbs. and over. Check the moon tables usually a week before the full moon is good for the big boys...o yes...and a rope with a heavy duty snag hook is needed to pull the fish up. I had a fish well into the 50 pound range along the side of the pier last October with no snag hook to pull him up. Catch and release...and all I could do was look at him...over four feet long. Don't you want to cry...welcome to fishing!
You are going to need lead up to 8 ounces. No fish finders please unless you want to donate it to the river! Three feet of line to the weight with your favorite bass hook. The fish are not shy in the East River, they will rap your bait with a vengence and hold onto the ride. Other hot spots in Manhattan are Battery Park on the Hudson,for big black fish and 23rd Street on the East River, a striper hot spot.
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First of all it is safe, and has been for a while. I have personally caught stripers there up to 40 lbs. and have seen two 50 pounders over the last few years. There is an incredible amount of great structure on both sides of the bridge. Bunker chunks will always put you on a few cows...and clam bellies do well. Surfcasters are recommended and some rope to tie your rod on...to be sure that you it doesn't get wings and fly away when a 10 lb. blue comes along. It is a good spot for salty dog jigging using 10-15 lb. test to or I prefer 30 pound test spider wire for mor sensitivity and further casting with jig heads. Patience is a virtue here...no matter how good you think you are. I have had days with up to 20 fish to 15 lbs. And slow cow days of 5 fish 25 lbs. and over. Check the moon tables usually a week before the full moon is good for the big boys...o yes...and a rope with a heavy duty snag hook is needed to pull the fish up. I had a fish well into the 50 pound range along the side of the pier last October with no snag hook to pull him up. Catch and release...and all I could do was look at him...over four feet long. Don't you want to cry...welcome to fishing!
You are going to need lead up to 8 ounces. No fish finders please unless you want to donate it to the river! Three feet of line to the weight with your favorite bass hook. The fish are not shy in the East River, they will rap your bait with a vengence and hold onto the ride. Other hot spots in Manhattan are Battery Park on the Hudson,for big black fish and 23rd Street on the East River, a striper hot spot.