Generally in about mid-April, some of the best bass action on the Hudson River begins. The fish usually reach Catskill to Albany by May weather permitting and are gone by mid-June. Anglers come from around the world to do battle with the Striper.
The Striper is one of the two (2) real bass — the other being a white bass — make there way from the Atlantic up the river to spawn (black bass are not real bass, they are actually a sunfish species).
The herring are the start, the chad follow, and then the stripers round out the food chain.
These fish are generlly caught in a couple diffrent ways. The first and most popular up river is with live herring. The second is with chunked herring or shad. Down state they use clam bellies and blood worms.
Just hooking into one will have you hooked for life. When the action is on you can expect the opportunity to hook into a few a day. Even on the slow days we find that chad and herring rigs on light tackle can be almost as exciting.
The striper run generlly starts with the break in the weather around mid-April and runs through May. Late season we chase the out-going schools with chunk bait bouncing the bottom ahead of them.
Equipment for beginner: Reasonable salt water rod and a good Bait Runner Reel( reel is most important). I prefer braided line as it holds up better with the zebra musseles. Striper rigs can be bought in a pack with a slider for the weight, hook and leader. It is best to have a few weights from 3 to 5 oz for current.Pyrimid sinkers or bottom bouncers work well. A smaller rod for herring rigs with shad dart for bottom or 1/2 oz weight. You will see some using a teaser which is an immatation herring thrown out reeled in and figured eighted. The herring will follow they are fast use a long handle net and work the bait over it untill you can catch some.
This takes practice. Have Fun.
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About The Author
Author: Mark Mahar
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Details: NYS guide and bass angler. Member of NYS Nitro Team and Mercury Staff.
Basic's of Hudson River Stripers
