Captain Tony's NYC Harbor Report - October 21, 2025
Listen up, harbor rats - the fall run is in full swing, and the fishing in the NYC Harbor is as good as it gets. The water is cooling down, the bait is thick, and the striped bass are feeding like there's no tomorrow. If you're not getting out there right now, you're missing the best fishing of the year.
Jamaica Bay - Loaded with Opportunity
Jamaica Bay is absolutely on fire right now. The bay is packed with peanut bunker - I mean absolutely stuffed with them. Every dock light, every channel edge, every piece of structure is holding bait, and where there's bait, there's bass.
The topwater action has been excellent. Guys are getting fish from 30 to 40 inches on poppers and pencil poppers, especially at first light and last light. The fish are aggressive right now, and when you find a school, it's game on.
Live bait is also producing well. Live spot are available at most of the marinas, and if you can get your hands on live eels, you're in business for the bigger fish. Adult bunker are around too, and that's always a good sign for trophy-class bass.
The blackfish season opened up, and the harbor structure is holding keeper tog. It's not as wide-open as the ocean or the Sound, but if you know where the rocks and pilings are, you can put together a decent catch. Fresh green crabs are your best bet.
East River - Urban Fishing at Its Finest
The East River has been fishing well, particularly around the bridges and pier pilings. The current is your friend here - fish the slack tides or the beginning of the move, and focus on structure.
We're seeing a good mix of schoolie bass with some slot fish mixed in. The fish are feeding on the abundant bait - spearing, bay anchovies, and small bunker. If you're throwing artificials, small soft plastics and bucktails are your best bet. Match the size of the bait and you'll get bit.
Night fishing under the lights has been productive. The dock lights and bridge lights concentrate bait, and the bass know it. It's not trophy fishing, but it's consistent action and a great way to spend an evening after work.
Raritan Bay and Western Harbor
The western part of the harbor - from the Rockaways through Raritan Bay - has seen the arrival of the big fall-run bass. We're talking 40-inch-plus fish, the kind that make your drag scream and test your knots.
Boat anglers are doing well on live bunker, and the lure bite has been solid too. The key is covering water and finding where the fish are staged. They're moving through in waves, so if you're not getting bit in one spot, don't be afraid to pick up and relocate.
The nor'easter that came through mid-October really kicked things off. Guys who fished during the blow and right after were rewarded with excellent action. The post-storm bite has been a bit slower, but that's typical. Give the water a few days to settle and we should see things pick back up.
Battery Park to Haverstraw - The Full Harbor
Up the Hudson toward Haverstraw, the fall patterns are developing. The water is cooling, the bait is moving, and the bass are following. It's not as wide-open as the lower harbor yet, but the pieces are in place.
Focus on structure - bridge pilings, pier edges, rock walls, and channel edges. The fish are using these areas as ambush points, and if you can position yourself correctly, you'll get bit.
The night bite has been better than the day bite in many areas. The fish are more comfortable feeding in low light, and the bait concentrates under the lights. If you've got access to a spot with lights and current, you're in business.
Bait and Tackle Notes
The bait situation is excellent right now. Peanut bunker are everywhere, adult bunker are around, and live spot and eels are available at the bait shops. If you're throwing artificials, keep it simple: bucktails, soft plastics, poppers, and pencil poppers are all producing.
For blackfish, fresh green crabs are the standard. Use just enough weight to hold bottom in the current, and stay tight to structure. These fish don't always eat aggressively, so you need to be ready for subtle bites.
Weather and Water Conditions
Water temperatures are in the low 60s and dropping nicely. That's the sweet spot for fall fishing - cool enough to trigger the migration, but warm enough that the fish are still feeding hard.
The weather for the next few days looks great. Light winds, calm conditions, and stable pressure. This is prime time, folks. The fall run is here, the bait is thick, and the fish are biting.
The Bottom Line
I've been fishing these waters for over 40 years, and I can tell you with confidence - this is the time. The fall run is in full swing, the conditions are right, and the fishing is only going to get better as we move deeper into October and November.
Get out there. Fish the tides, focus on structure, and put in the time. The harbor is giving up fish right now, and if you're not taking advantage of it, you're missing out.
The city never sleeps, and neither do the fish. Let's go catch 'em.
Tight lines,
Captain Tony
Listen up, harbor rats - the fall run is in full swing, and the fishing in the NYC Harbor is as good as it gets. The water is cooling down, the bait is thick, and the striped bass are feeding like there's no tomorrow. If you're not getting out there right now, you're missing the best fishing of the year.
Jamaica Bay - Loaded with Opportunity
Jamaica Bay is absolutely on fire right now. The bay is packed with peanut bunker - I mean absolutely stuffed with them. Every dock light, every channel edge, every piece of structure is holding bait, and where there's bait, there's bass.
The topwater action has been excellent. Guys are getting fish from 30 to 40 inches on poppers and pencil poppers, especially at first light and last light. The fish are aggressive right now, and when you find a school, it's game on.
Live bait is also producing well. Live spot are available at most of the marinas, and if you can get your hands on live eels, you're in business for the bigger fish. Adult bunker are around too, and that's always a good sign for trophy-class bass.
The blackfish season opened up, and the harbor structure is holding keeper tog. It's not as wide-open as the ocean or the Sound, but if you know where the rocks and pilings are, you can put together a decent catch. Fresh green crabs are your best bet.
East River - Urban Fishing at Its Finest
The East River has been fishing well, particularly around the bridges and pier pilings. The current is your friend here - fish the slack tides or the beginning of the move, and focus on structure.
We're seeing a good mix of schoolie bass with some slot fish mixed in. The fish are feeding on the abundant bait - spearing, bay anchovies, and small bunker. If you're throwing artificials, small soft plastics and bucktails are your best bet. Match the size of the bait and you'll get bit.
Night fishing under the lights has been productive. The dock lights and bridge lights concentrate bait, and the bass know it. It's not trophy fishing, but it's consistent action and a great way to spend an evening after work.
Raritan Bay and Western Harbor
The western part of the harbor - from the Rockaways through Raritan Bay - has seen the arrival of the big fall-run bass. We're talking 40-inch-plus fish, the kind that make your drag scream and test your knots.
Boat anglers are doing well on live bunker, and the lure bite has been solid too. The key is covering water and finding where the fish are staged. They're moving through in waves, so if you're not getting bit in one spot, don't be afraid to pick up and relocate.
The nor'easter that came through mid-October really kicked things off. Guys who fished during the blow and right after were rewarded with excellent action. The post-storm bite has been a bit slower, but that's typical. Give the water a few days to settle and we should see things pick back up.
Battery Park to Haverstraw - The Full Harbor
Up the Hudson toward Haverstraw, the fall patterns are developing. The water is cooling, the bait is moving, and the bass are following. It's not as wide-open as the lower harbor yet, but the pieces are in place.
Focus on structure - bridge pilings, pier edges, rock walls, and channel edges. The fish are using these areas as ambush points, and if you can position yourself correctly, you'll get bit.
The night bite has been better than the day bite in many areas. The fish are more comfortable feeding in low light, and the bait concentrates under the lights. If you've got access to a spot with lights and current, you're in business.
Bait and Tackle Notes
The bait situation is excellent right now. Peanut bunker are everywhere, adult bunker are around, and live spot and eels are available at the bait shops. If you're throwing artificials, keep it simple: bucktails, soft plastics, poppers, and pencil poppers are all producing.
For blackfish, fresh green crabs are the standard. Use just enough weight to hold bottom in the current, and stay tight to structure. These fish don't always eat aggressively, so you need to be ready for subtle bites.
Weather and Water Conditions
Water temperatures are in the low 60s and dropping nicely. That's the sweet spot for fall fishing - cool enough to trigger the migration, but warm enough that the fish are still feeding hard.
The weather for the next few days looks great. Light winds, calm conditions, and stable pressure. This is prime time, folks. The fall run is here, the bait is thick, and the fish are biting.
The Bottom Line
I've been fishing these waters for over 40 years, and I can tell you with confidence - this is the time. The fall run is in full swing, the conditions are right, and the fishing is only going to get better as we move deeper into October and November.
Get out there. Fish the tides, focus on structure, and put in the time. The harbor is giving up fish right now, and if you're not taking advantage of it, you're missing out.
The city never sleeps, and neither do the fish. Let's go catch 'em.
Tight lines,
Captain Tony
