Captain Tony's Complete NYC Harbor Report - November 28, 2025
WEATHER ALERT - HARBOR CLOSED TODAY
Alright folks, let me make this real simple for you: if you're thinking about fishing the Harbor today, don't. We've got a Gale Warning in effect with west winds 25-30 knots gusting to 35. The East River's a raging torrent, the Harbor's a mess, and even the most protected spots are unfishable. I've fished these waters for 40+ years, and I'm telling you straight - this is a day to stay home.
But here's the good news: Saturday's looking beautiful. Winds drop to 15-20 and then calm to 10-15 by afternoon. That's when you want to be out there. The fish will be hungry after this blow, and the conditions will be right.
THE STRIPED BASS SITUATION
The striper bite in the Harbor has shifted into its late-fall pattern, and if you know the spots, you can still put fish in the boat. We've got large schools of small bass that have settled into the area - rats, mostly, but they're active and they'll keep your rod bent. These fish are working over whatever bait they can find, and they're not particularly picky about what they'll hit.
The quality fish - the ones we really want - are still around, but you need patience and you need to be in the right spots. We're talking mid-teens to low-20-pound fish that are feeding in specific locations at specific times. This isn't a numbers game anymore; it's about precision.
The nighttime bridge bite has been the most consistent producer of quality fish. I'm talking about the bridges you all know - the ones with current, structure, and deep water. The pattern's simple but it's critical: you need moving water. The bite shuts down completely at slack tide. You need to time your trip to hit the moving tide, particularly the outgoing when bait gets swept through the structure.
The most productive setup has been large soft plastics - 10 to 15 inches - in dark colors. Black and purple have been working well. You need enough weight to maintain bottom contact in the current, usually 1 to 1.5 ounces. Light braid helps you feel the hits, which can be subtle. Work tight to the structure, stay in the current, and be ready when a fish commits.
During daylight hours, focus on the deeper channels and around structure where bass are holding. The fish are deeper now than they were a month ago, hanging around 20-40 feet where the water's more stable and the bait's concentrated. Soft plastics, bucktails, and live eels are all producing.
BLACKFISH - THE REAL STORY
The blackfish bite in the Harbor and surrounding waters has been excellent, and I mean that without exaggeration. We're seeing consistent limits on most trips, with fish running from keeper size up to 7-8 pounds. The bigger fish we've been waiting for are starting to show up as the water continues to cool.
The pattern's been consistent: deeper water around structure. We're talking 40-60 feet around bridge pilings, rock piles, wrecks, and channel edges. The tog are concentrated now, which makes them easier to target if you know where to look.
Green crabs remain the top bait, though I've seen some guys doing well with sand crabs and clams. Jigs have been outperforming traditional rigs on most days, which tells me these fish are feeding actively. Use enough weight to maintain bottom contact - the current's been strong, especially around the bridges.
The Gypsea out of Brooklyn has been putting up consistent numbers - 6-person limits most trips, with the big fish of the week just over 7 pounds. That's solid fishing, and it's available to anyone willing to put in the time and dial in the pattern.
Here's what I've learned over four decades of fishing these waters: the blackfish bite in late November is one of the most reliable fisheries we have. The fish are concentrated, they're feeding, and they're catchable. But the season's winding down fast. We've only got a couple weeks left before it closes. If you want fresh tog for the table, now's the time.
SQUID - THE BONUS BITE
On the warmer nights - and we've had a few - squid have been showing up around docks and well-lit structures. This is a fun bonus fishery that doesn't require a boat or fancy gear. Just a squid jig, a light rod, and some patience.
The pattern's simple: find a dock or marina with good lighting, position yourself around the outer edge of the light cone, and work small jigs with quick retrieves. The squid move in after dark and feed in the lit areas. You can put together a decent catch in an hour or two, and you'll have fresh calamari for the table or bait for your next fishing trip.
I've been seeing squid around the usual spots - the marinas in Brooklyn, the docks along the East River, the lit structures in the Harbor. It's not a fishery that gets a lot of attention, but it's there if you want it.
BRIDGE FISHING - THE TECHNICAL GAME
Let me talk about bridge fishing for a minute, because this is where the quality stripers are right now. I've been fishing the Harbor bridges since the 1980s, and the pattern hasn't changed much. What has changed is the tackle and techniques, but the fundamentals remain the same.
You need moving water. I can't stress this enough. The bite shuts down at slack tide. You need to be there when the current's flowing - either incoming or outgoing, though I've found the outgoing to be slightly more productive in late fall.
You need the right tackle. Large soft plastics - JoeBaggs Block Island Eels in 14.5 inches have been the standout - rigged on jigheads heavy enough to maintain bottom contact. In strong current, that might mean 1.5 to 2 ounces. Light braid - 15 to 20-pound test - gives you the sensitivity to feel subtle hits.
You need to work tight to the structure. The fish are holding in the current breaks around the bridge pilings, not out in the open water. Cast uptide, let your lure sink, and work it back with a slow retrieve, maintaining bottom contact. The hits can be subtle - sometimes just a slight weight on the line. Set the hook and hold on.
The fish you'll catch this way are quality bass - mid-teens to low-20s, with the occasional larger fish mixed in. These aren't the rats you'll catch during the day. These are fish worth targeting, and the technique works.
WEATHER & WATER CONDITIONS
Friday, November 28: Gale Warning in effect. West winds 25-30 knots gusting to 35. Harbor waters 2-4 feet. East River running hard. Stay off the water - this is dangerous.
Saturday, November 29: Winds diminishing significantly. West 15-20 knots becoming northwest 10-15 by afternoon. Harbor calming to 1-2 feet. This is your prime day - get out there.
Sunday, November 30: South winds 10-15 knots increasing to 15-20 in the afternoon. Harbor 1-2 feet building to 2-3. Showers developing throughout the day. Morning window looks good, afternoon deteriorates.
Monday, December 1: Northwest winds 15-20 knots. Harbor 2-3 feet. Post-frontal clearing. Good fishing conditions.
Water temperatures in the Harbor are in the low 50s, which is normal for late November. We're seeing the seasonal decline that pushes fish into their winter patterns. The thermocline's broken down, and we've got more uniform temperatures throughout the water column. This concentrates fish around structure and current breaks, which makes them more predictable.
TONY'S TACTICAL BREAKDOWN
For Daytime Stripers: Focus on deeper channels and structure, 20-40 feet. Soft plastics, bucktails, live eels. Large schools of small fish are around, with quality fish mixed in if you're patient. Mobile approach - don't sit and wait, move and find them.
For Nighttime Stripers: Bridge fishing on moving tides. Large soft plastics (JoeBaggs Block Island Eels, 14.5 inches) on 1-1.5 ounce jigheads. Light braid for sensitivity. Work tight to structure, maintain bottom contact, be patient. This is technical fishing, but the rewards are quality fish.
For Blackfish: Deeper water around structure, 40-60 feet. Bridge pilings, rock piles, wrecks, channel edges. Green crabs on jigs or rigs, with jigs showing an edge. Season's ending soon - Saturday's your best shot this week.
For Squid: Nighttime at docks and marinas with good lighting. Small jigs, quick retrieves, outer edge of light cone. Easy, fun, productive.
THE BOTTOM LINE
I've been fishing the Harbor since before most of you were born, and I've seen a lot of seasons come and go. This one's been good - not great, but good. The fish are here, the action's been consistent, and we've still got a few weeks left before winter shuts everything down.
Today's a wash - literally. Stay home, stay safe, work on your tackle. But Saturday's looking excellent. Winds calm down, Harbor settles, and the fish will be feeding after this blow. Sunday morning offers another window before the next system moves in. Monday looks solid for post-frontal action.
We're in the final stretch now. The blackfish season's about to close. The stripers are going to start their winter shutdown soon. But right now, there are fish to be caught. Quality fish. Fish worth targeting.
I've spent 40+ years learning these waters, and I'm telling you straight: the next few days offer excellent opportunities if you're willing to put in the time. Bundle up, check your gear, watch the tides, and get out there. Winter's coming, but it ain't here yet.
Tight lines and safe passage,
Captain Tony
NYC Harbor
Retired FDNY, 40+ Years on the Water
WEATHER ALERT - HARBOR CLOSED TODAY Alright folks, let me make this real simple for you: if you're thinking about fishing the Harbor today, don't. We've got a Gale Warning in effect with west winds 25-30 knots gusting to 35. The East River's a raging torrent, the Harbor's a mess, and even the most protected spots are unfishable. I've fished these waters for 40+ years, and I'm telling you straight - this is a day to stay home.
But here's the good news: Saturday's looking beautiful. Winds drop to 15-20 and then calm to 10-15 by afternoon. That's when you want to be out there. The fish will be hungry after this blow, and the conditions will be right.
THE STRIPED BASS SITUATION The striper bite in the Harbor has shifted into its late-fall pattern, and if you know the spots, you can still put fish in the boat. We've got large schools of small bass that have settled into the area - rats, mostly, but they're active and they'll keep your rod bent. These fish are working over whatever bait they can find, and they're not particularly picky about what they'll hit.
The quality fish - the ones we really want - are still around, but you need patience and you need to be in the right spots. We're talking mid-teens to low-20-pound fish that are feeding in specific locations at specific times. This isn't a numbers game anymore; it's about precision.
The nighttime bridge bite has been the most consistent producer of quality fish. I'm talking about the bridges you all know - the ones with current, structure, and deep water. The pattern's simple but it's critical: you need moving water. The bite shuts down completely at slack tide. You need to time your trip to hit the moving tide, particularly the outgoing when bait gets swept through the structure.
The most productive setup has been large soft plastics - 10 to 15 inches - in dark colors. Black and purple have been working well. You need enough weight to maintain bottom contact in the current, usually 1 to 1.5 ounces. Light braid helps you feel the hits, which can be subtle. Work tight to the structure, stay in the current, and be ready when a fish commits.
During daylight hours, focus on the deeper channels and around structure where bass are holding. The fish are deeper now than they were a month ago, hanging around 20-40 feet where the water's more stable and the bait's concentrated. Soft plastics, bucktails, and live eels are all producing.
BLACKFISH - THE REAL STORY The blackfish bite in the Harbor and surrounding waters has been excellent, and I mean that without exaggeration. We're seeing consistent limits on most trips, with fish running from keeper size up to 7-8 pounds. The bigger fish we've been waiting for are starting to show up as the water continues to cool.
The pattern's been consistent: deeper water around structure. We're talking 40-60 feet around bridge pilings, rock piles, wrecks, and channel edges. The tog are concentrated now, which makes them easier to target if you know where to look.
Green crabs remain the top bait, though I've seen some guys doing well with sand crabs and clams. Jigs have been outperforming traditional rigs on most days, which tells me these fish are feeding actively. Use enough weight to maintain bottom contact - the current's been strong, especially around the bridges.
The Gypsea out of Brooklyn has been putting up consistent numbers - 6-person limits most trips, with the big fish of the week just over 7 pounds. That's solid fishing, and it's available to anyone willing to put in the time and dial in the pattern.
Here's what I've learned over four decades of fishing these waters: the blackfish bite in late November is one of the most reliable fisheries we have. The fish are concentrated, they're feeding, and they're catchable. But the season's winding down fast. We've only got a couple weeks left before it closes. If you want fresh tog for the table, now's the time.
SQUID - THE BONUS BITE On the warmer nights - and we've had a few - squid have been showing up around docks and well-lit structures. This is a fun bonus fishery that doesn't require a boat or fancy gear. Just a squid jig, a light rod, and some patience.
The pattern's simple: find a dock or marina with good lighting, position yourself around the outer edge of the light cone, and work small jigs with quick retrieves. The squid move in after dark and feed in the lit areas. You can put together a decent catch in an hour or two, and you'll have fresh calamari for the table or bait for your next fishing trip.
I've been seeing squid around the usual spots - the marinas in Brooklyn, the docks along the East River, the lit structures in the Harbor. It's not a fishery that gets a lot of attention, but it's there if you want it.
BRIDGE FISHING - THE TECHNICAL GAME Let me talk about bridge fishing for a minute, because this is where the quality stripers are right now. I've been fishing the Harbor bridges since the 1980s, and the pattern hasn't changed much. What has changed is the tackle and techniques, but the fundamentals remain the same.
You need moving water. I can't stress this enough. The bite shuts down at slack tide. You need to be there when the current's flowing - either incoming or outgoing, though I've found the outgoing to be slightly more productive in late fall.
You need the right tackle. Large soft plastics - JoeBaggs Block Island Eels in 14.5 inches have been the standout - rigged on jigheads heavy enough to maintain bottom contact. In strong current, that might mean 1.5 to 2 ounces. Light braid - 15 to 20-pound test - gives you the sensitivity to feel subtle hits.
You need to work tight to the structure. The fish are holding in the current breaks around the bridge pilings, not out in the open water. Cast uptide, let your lure sink, and work it back with a slow retrieve, maintaining bottom contact. The hits can be subtle - sometimes just a slight weight on the line. Set the hook and hold on.
The fish you'll catch this way are quality bass - mid-teens to low-20s, with the occasional larger fish mixed in. These aren't the rats you'll catch during the day. These are fish worth targeting, and the technique works.
WEATHER & WATER CONDITIONS Friday, November 28: Gale Warning in effect. West winds 25-30 knots gusting to 35. Harbor waters 2-4 feet. East River running hard. Stay off the water - this is dangerous.
Saturday, November 29: Winds diminishing significantly. West 15-20 knots becoming northwest 10-15 by afternoon. Harbor calming to 1-2 feet. This is your prime day - get out there.
Sunday, November 30: South winds 10-15 knots increasing to 15-20 in the afternoon. Harbor 1-2 feet building to 2-3. Showers developing throughout the day. Morning window looks good, afternoon deteriorates.
Monday, December 1: Northwest winds 15-20 knots. Harbor 2-3 feet. Post-frontal clearing. Good fishing conditions.
Water temperatures in the Harbor are in the low 50s, which is normal for late November. We're seeing the seasonal decline that pushes fish into their winter patterns. The thermocline's broken down, and we've got more uniform temperatures throughout the water column. This concentrates fish around structure and current breaks, which makes them more predictable.
TONY'S TACTICAL BREAKDOWN For Daytime Stripers: Focus on deeper channels and structure, 20-40 feet. Soft plastics, bucktails, live eels. Large schools of small fish are around, with quality fish mixed in if you're patient. Mobile approach - don't sit and wait, move and find them.
For Nighttime Stripers: Bridge fishing on moving tides. Large soft plastics (JoeBaggs Block Island Eels, 14.5 inches) on 1-1.5 ounce jigheads. Light braid for sensitivity. Work tight to structure, maintain bottom contact, be patient. This is technical fishing, but the rewards are quality fish.
For Blackfish: Deeper water around structure, 40-60 feet. Bridge pilings, rock piles, wrecks, channel edges. Green crabs on jigs or rigs, with jigs showing an edge. Season's ending soon - Saturday's your best shot this week.
For Squid: Nighttime at docks and marinas with good lighting. Small jigs, quick retrieves, outer edge of light cone. Easy, fun, productive.
THE BOTTOM LINE I've been fishing the Harbor since before most of you were born, and I've seen a lot of seasons come and go. This one's been good - not great, but good. The fish are here, the action's been consistent, and we've still got a few weeks left before winter shuts everything down.
Today's a wash - literally. Stay home, stay safe, work on your tackle. But Saturday's looking excellent. Winds calm down, Harbor settles, and the fish will be feeding after this blow. Sunday morning offers another window before the next system moves in. Monday looks solid for post-frontal action.
We're in the final stretch now. The blackfish season's about to close. The stripers are going to start their winter shutdown soon. But right now, there are fish to be caught. Quality fish. Fish worth targeting.
I've spent 40+ years learning these waters, and I'm telling you straight: the next few days offer excellent opportunities if you're willing to put in the time. Bundle up, check your gear, watch the tides, and get out there. Winter's coming, but it ain't here yet.
Tight lines and safe passage,
Captain Tony
NYC Harbor
Retired FDNY, 40+ Years on the Water
