# Captain Tony's NYC Harbor Report - October 7, 2025
Alright, listen up, you landlubbers and seasoned salts! Captain Tony here, retired FDNY, and still patrolling these concrete canyons and salty waters of our great city. Forty years I've been fishing these tides, and let me tell ya, the city that never sleeps also has fish that never stop biting. Let's get down to brass tacks and see what's shakin' in the harbor and beyond.
## The Pulse of the City Waters: Conditions and What's Biting
The fall run is in full swing, and the fish are feeling the chill in the air just like us. The baitfish, especially those peanut bunker, are getting pushed around, and that means the predators are right on their tails. We've had some stellar striped bass action, and the weakfish are making a strong showing. The key to success right now is staying mobile and paying attention to the currents. These city waters are dynamic, and what's hot one day might be lukewarm the next, but there's always a bite to be found if you know where to look.
## NYC Harbor & Surrounding Waters (Battery Park to the Narrows)
From **Battery Park** all the way up to the **Narrows**, the **striped bass fishing has been stellar**! Anglers aboard the Gypsea and other local boats have been reporting some fantastic catches. These bass are actively feeding on the abundant peanut bunker, so look for those tell-tale signs of bait getting busted on the surface. **Bluefish** are also in the mix, providing some hard-hitting action. And don't forget the **weakfish** – they're thick right now, offering some great light tackle opportunities. We're even seeing some **Spanish Mackerel and Bonito** making an appearance, adding to the mixed bag fun. Focus on areas with strong current breaks and structure, like bridge pilings and channel edges.
## East River & Beyond (Up to Haverstraw)
Now, the **East River** can be a bit trickier, a real urban jungle for fishin'. While it might not have the same frenetic pace as the main harbor, there are still some decent fish to be had. Reports suggest that the East River holds **nice fish in the 12-18 inch range**, so if you're looking for a quieter day with some consistent action, it's worth a shot. Further north, towards **Haverstraw**, the Hudson River continues to offer opportunities for striped bass, especially as the fall migration progresses. Look for deeper holes and current seams where bait might be congregating.
## Species Intel: What to Target and How
* **Striped Bass:** They're the main event right now. Look for them busting bait on the surface or holding tight to structure. Live peanut bunker, soft plastics, and topwater plugs are all effective.
* **Bluefish:** Always a blast! They're aggressive and will hit most anything. Metal jigs, poppers, and chunks of bait work well.
* **Weakfish:** Making a strong showing. They love soft plastics, especially pink or chartreuse, fished slowly near the bottom. Squid strips are also a good bet.
* **Spanish Mackerel & Bonito:** Fast-moving, schooling fish. Small metal jigs and Kastmasters retrieved quickly are your best bet when you see them slashing bait.
## Tactical Talk from the Old Salt
My advice? Keep an eye on the birds – they're your best friends for finding bait and, consequently, the fish. Tides are everything in these waters; fish the moving water, especially the beginning and end of the outgoing. And don't be afraid to try different presentations. Sometimes a subtle change in retrieve or bait can make all the difference. Most importantly, enjoy the hustle and bustle of fishing in the greatest city in the world. Tight lines, and I'll see ya out there!
Alright, listen up, you landlubbers and seasoned salts! Captain Tony here, retired FDNY, and still patrolling these concrete canyons and salty waters of our great city. Forty years I've been fishing these tides, and let me tell ya, the city that never sleeps also has fish that never stop biting. Let's get down to brass tacks and see what's shakin' in the harbor and beyond.
## The Pulse of the City Waters: Conditions and What's Biting
The fall run is in full swing, and the fish are feeling the chill in the air just like us. The baitfish, especially those peanut bunker, are getting pushed around, and that means the predators are right on their tails. We've had some stellar striped bass action, and the weakfish are making a strong showing. The key to success right now is staying mobile and paying attention to the currents. These city waters are dynamic, and what's hot one day might be lukewarm the next, but there's always a bite to be found if you know where to look.
## NYC Harbor & Surrounding Waters (Battery Park to the Narrows)
From **Battery Park** all the way up to the **Narrows**, the **striped bass fishing has been stellar**! Anglers aboard the Gypsea and other local boats have been reporting some fantastic catches. These bass are actively feeding on the abundant peanut bunker, so look for those tell-tale signs of bait getting busted on the surface. **Bluefish** are also in the mix, providing some hard-hitting action. And don't forget the **weakfish** – they're thick right now, offering some great light tackle opportunities. We're even seeing some **Spanish Mackerel and Bonito** making an appearance, adding to the mixed bag fun. Focus on areas with strong current breaks and structure, like bridge pilings and channel edges.
## East River & Beyond (Up to Haverstraw)
Now, the **East River** can be a bit trickier, a real urban jungle for fishin'. While it might not have the same frenetic pace as the main harbor, there are still some decent fish to be had. Reports suggest that the East River holds **nice fish in the 12-18 inch range**, so if you're looking for a quieter day with some consistent action, it's worth a shot. Further north, towards **Haverstraw**, the Hudson River continues to offer opportunities for striped bass, especially as the fall migration progresses. Look for deeper holes and current seams where bait might be congregating.
## Species Intel: What to Target and How
* **Striped Bass:** They're the main event right now. Look for them busting bait on the surface or holding tight to structure. Live peanut bunker, soft plastics, and topwater plugs are all effective.
* **Bluefish:** Always a blast! They're aggressive and will hit most anything. Metal jigs, poppers, and chunks of bait work well.
* **Weakfish:** Making a strong showing. They love soft plastics, especially pink or chartreuse, fished slowly near the bottom. Squid strips are also a good bet.
* **Spanish Mackerel & Bonito:** Fast-moving, schooling fish. Small metal jigs and Kastmasters retrieved quickly are your best bet when you see them slashing bait.
## Tactical Talk from the Old Salt
My advice? Keep an eye on the birds – they're your best friends for finding bait and, consequently, the fish. Tides are everything in these waters; fish the moving water, especially the beginning and end of the outgoing. And don't be afraid to try different presentations. Sometimes a subtle change in retrieve or bait can make all the difference. Most importantly, enjoy the hustle and bustle of fishing in the greatest city in the world. Tight lines, and I'll see ya out there!
