How and Where to Catch Largemouth Bass in the Hudson River
Largemouth bass are one of the most popular game fish in North America, and the Hudson River is a great place to catch them. The Hudson River is a 315-mile long river that flows from the Adirondack Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, passing through New York City and other towns and cities along the way. The river offers a variety of fishing opportunities, from freshwater streams and tributaries in the upper section, to brackish and saltwater estuaries in the lower section.
Largemouth bass can be found throughout the Hudson River, but they are more abundant and active in the freshwater areas, especially in the spring and summer months. In this article, we will share some tips and techniques on how to catch largemouth bass in the Hudson River, as well as some of the best spots to fish for them.
Tips and Techniques for Catching Largemouth Bass in the Hudson River
- Know the seasons. Largemouth bass are more active and aggressive in the spring and summer, when they are feeding and spawning. They tend to move to shallow and warm waters, where they can find plenty of food and cover. In the fall and winter, they become more sluggish and move to deeper and cooler waters, where they can conserve energy and avoid predators.
- Match the hatch. Largemouth bass are opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything that fits in their mouth, including fish, frogs, crayfish, insects, worms, and even small birds and mammals. To be successful in bass fishing, match your lure to the hatch. Ask around at the local bait shop or fishing outfit to find out what’s hatching and then look for the lure or bait that most closely resembles it1.
- Use the right gear. Largemouth bass are strong and powerful fish that can put up a good fight. You will need a medium to heavy action rod, a baitcasting or spinning reel, and a 10 to 20 pound test line. You will also need a variety of lures and baits, such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live or cut bait. You can also use a wire or fluorocarbon leader to prevent the bass from biting through your line.
- Fish the right spots. Largemouth bass like to hide and ambush their prey in areas with plenty of cover and structure, such as weeds, rocks, logs, docks, bridges, pilings, and wrecks. You can also find them along points, drop-offs, ledges, and channels, where they can move between shallow and deep waters. You can use a fish finder or a map to locate these spots, or you can simply look for signs of bass activity, such as splashes, boils, or bubbles.
- Fish the right time. Largemouth bass are more active and likely to bite during low-light conditions, such as dawn and dusk, or on cloudy and rainy days. They are also more active during the changing of the tides, when the water flow and current create more oxygen and food for them. You can use a tide chart or a fishing app to plan your fishing trip accordingly.
Best Spots to Fish for Largemouth Bass in the Hudson River
The Hudson River has many fishing spots that are suitable for largemouth bass fishing, but some of the best ones are:
- The Tappan Zee Bridge: This is a famous spot for bass fishing, as the bridge provides plenty of structure and cover for the bass. You can fish from the shore, from a boat, or from the bridge itself, using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, or live bait. You can also fish the nearby Croton Point Park, which has a boat ramp, a pier, and a beach.
- The Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge: This is another bridge that attracts bass, as it spans the river between Kingston and Rhinebeck. You can fish from the shore, from a boat, or from the bridge, using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, or live bait. You can also fish the nearby Esopus Creek, which is a tributary of the Hudson River that has a good population of bass.
- The Albany-Troy Area: This is the northernmost section of the Hudson River that is accessible by boat, and it has some of the best freshwater fishing in the river. You can fish from the shore, from a boat, or from the numerous bridges and dams that cross the river, using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, or live bait. You can also fish the nearby Mohawk River, which is another tributary of the Hudson River that has a good population of bass.
- The mouth of any tributary: The Hudson River has many tributaries that flow into it, creating productive fishing spots where freshwater and brackish water mix. These areas often attract baitfish and other prey, which in turn attract predators like largemouth bass. One of the most popular tributaries for bass fishing is the Wappingers Creek, which enters the Hudson River near the village of Wappingers Falls. You can fish from the shore, from a boat, or from the Wappingers Creek Water Trail, which is a 10-mile canoe and kayak route that follows the creek from Pleasant Valley to the Hudson River1.
- Structures and docks: The Hudson River has a lot of old structures, docks, and rocks in the water that make for great hiding places for largemouth bass. These features provide cover, shade, and ambush points for the bass, as well as food sources such as mussels, crabs, and worms. You can fish around these structures and docks using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, or soft plastics, and try to mimic the movement and appearance of the natural prey. Some of the best places to find structures and docks are near the Tappan Zee Bridge, the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, and the Albany-Troy Area2.
- Easy public access areas: The Hudson River has many public access areas that offer easy and convenient fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels and abilities. You can fish from the shore, from a pier, from a boat ramp, or from a park, and enjoy the scenic views and amenities of the riverfront. Some of the most popular public access areas are Riverfront Park and Long Dock Park in Beacon, Newburgh Waterfront, Waryas Park and Quiet Cove Park in Poughkeepsie, Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park in Staatsburgh, Tivoli Bays in Red Hook, and Riverfront Park in Troy
Largemouth bass are one of the most sought-after game fish in the Hudson River, and for good reason. They are fun to catch, challenging to fight, and tasty to eat. If you follow the tips and techniques we shared in this article, you will have a better chance of catching them. You can also check out some additional information regarding this topic for more information and inspiration.
- Largemouth Bass on the Hudson River Part1
- Hudson River Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2023
- Looking for some fishing tips for the Hudson River
- How to Catch Largemouth Bass – 15 Techniques, Tips & Tricks
- Largemouth Bass Fishing – 5 Helpful Tips for Beginners
Last Updated on November 20, 2023 by Fish HV Contributors