Tips for fishing the Hudson just north of GWB

[LightGearMike]

Hi everyone,

I just found this site on a random search and have gotten a lot of useful information before I even received my authorization to post. Here's where I am at though:

I have always been a freshwater trout guy and I want to bring/teach my son(8) how to fish and have fun while still respecting nature for all it has to offer. Obviously trout isn't exactly an easement into fishing. I was thinking about bringing him to do some catfishing(or any type of bottom fishing) and a coworker told me that the Hudson is fun for cats as well as stripers and other salt/brackish fish.

So here's my questions: (not looking for the best spots because exploring rivers and lakes is part of the fun)

1. Which rigs work best for fishing bottom? Seems to me that Fish-Finder rigs and High-Low Rigs seem to be the most used, but which is preferable to which fish?

2. Like my username implies, I really enjoy using the lightest tackle i can to fish. I have a sturdier setup for my son so he doesn't get frustrated with lost fish, but I like going as light as possible. What would be the lightest gear to use?

3. I spoke to guys at the Englewood and Alpine boat basins and they were really cool with sharing info(I had to share some trout info too but that's what we do) about what bait and what works in those spots. Question is, that I saw a sandy beach area about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile drive down the Henry Hudson Dr. entering from the Palisades Parkway Entrance 1 on the border of Englewood cliffs and Fort Lee, Does that beach get any good production?

4. Does the tide matter when fishing bottom?

5. And I promise LAST question... Does chumming the river work?

Thanks everyone!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Welcome Mike.... While I can't be much help here since I'm not familiar enough with that specific area, I'm sure some others can chime in....

One thing is for sure, the Hudson is a highway for Striped Bass since they return to spawn there every spring. The river also holds some resident Stripers that stick around but the early spring spawn is what everyone keys in on, especially north of the GWB and Tappan Zee all the way up to the Catskills.

You might have to use some heavier gear too since these fish can run up and over 50 pounds. I hear that Herring is the live bait of choice since they too spawn in the same areas and the Stripers key on them.

Good luck in your quest and be sure to let us know how you do.

[Adrenalinerush]

In the alpine area you will catch just about everything, eels, perch, catfish, stripers. Herring are traditionally the bait of choice higher up in the river near Kingston for some really big stripers. In the area your looking to fish I would try bunker chunks, you can also fish sand or blood worms as well although they get expensive. Tide plays a factor but you have to mess around and see what tide produces for the area you are fishing. For the catfish and perch the tide really won't matter much but the stripers can be very tide sensitive. I think you will be fine with a medium weight outfit to start. If you have a 6'-7' medium action rod and a reel with 15-20 pound test that is more than enough for most of what you are going to catch. You can actually go a little lighter than that for the rod you are going to fish, 10-12 pound test if you want. You can use a fish finder rig which I think would work best but you can also used fixed weight and you will be fine. Experiment and have fun!

[Cuz]

You have a great sport shop in your area. Shu Fly tackle shop Nanuet, N.Y. 845 215-5470 Hard core fishermen that know the area you're in. Skip Storch is the owner.