NYC Dirty Water Fishing

[Gillies]

Hi

 

Been in New York the past wee while, took a few walks along Manhattan’s Seaport area, downtown between the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge and there were loads of people fishing.

 

The water is dark brown as its part of where the Hudson River meets the sea, and also with all the shipping that passes through it – the water is dirty, and I mean “dirty” - how a fish can see/smell a bait I dont know!

 

Really was fishing for the pleasure of it, I did not see one fish caught by anyone (apart from very very small Wrasse like fish) and tackle and technique used was extremely basic. Sticking chunks of fish on 2 hooks with a lead, casting them on a 6 foot spinning rod loaded with 30 lbs line as far as it would go, and waiting.

 

Still, there must be fish there if there are so many people fishing, when I’m over next I think I’ll give it a go.

 

Gillies

[Newt]

Give a shout before your next trip and I'll try to hook you up with some local anglers who know the area and catch fish.

 

The tactic you describe is fairly typical for sea shore fishing and quite a bit of shore fresh water fishing. Although lots of the fresh water folk will be using a round red & white "float" that is slightly larger than a golf ball.

 

[ 16. October 2003, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: Newt ]

[Gillies]

Thanks Newt, I'll definately be taking you up on that offer some time soon.

 

I took a train ride up the Hudson from Grand Central to a sleepy wee town called Cold Springs (about an hour out) the waters looked excellent up there for a spot of fishing.

 

Any ideas what kind of fish can you expect to catch from Brooklyn area up into the Hudson?

 

Gillies

[Socksy Squirrel]

I would guess that they are after striped bass aka stripers. They are found up around the North American coast and hang around in estuaries. Check out http://home.earthlink.net/~fishplumi/ I seem to remember a photo in one of the angling mags of a UK fisherman who had a go off one of the US river bridges and picked up a big striper. If I can find the article then I will put in another note. Anyone who has it to hand please help.

[Newt]

Any ideas what kind of fish can you expect to catch from Brooklyn area up into the Hudson?

No idea at all. Where I live we catch largemouth bass, striped bass and carp where the water is brackish. So Socksy Squirrel could well have nailed it.

 

The striped bass are interesting though. They do equally well in the sea, brackish water, or totally fresh water. They are now stocked in a large number of landlocked US lakes and thriving/reproducing. They made a nice addition since the niche they fill of pelagic preds was empty prior to their being introduced.

[Socksy Squirrel]

I think there was an article in the UK Guardian or Observer a few years ago on the last of the commercial fishermen in the NY bay. He may have been netting for striped bass and eels around the flats. I wish that I had kept it.

[Leon Roskilly]

Gillies:

 

Any ideas what kind of fish can you expect to catch from Brooklyn area up into the Hudson?

Have a look here:

 

http://www.savefish.com/njsizes.htm

 

Tight Lines - leon

[Vagabond]

Just as interesting as the species caught are the methods in use in New York.

 

The latest edition of Waterlog describes one.

 

Basically it is a handline. The line is wound around an empty ring-pull can, which is then set upright on a peg driven into the ground - the peg fitting into the hole out of which the can's contents have been supped.

 

When fish takes, the can spins round on the peg.

 

No doubt someone will market it as "The Big Apple Baitrunner"