Freshwater Spots: Prospect Park, Central Park The Lake, Central Park Harlem Meer, Flushing Meadows, Baisley Pond
Saltwater Spots: Canarsie Pier, North Channel Bridge, East River Park, Pier 25, Pier 40, Pier 84, Pier 96, Orchard Beach, Jacob Riis,
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Overall Tip For Fishing NYC -
The best way to approach NYC fishing is to think less about "spots" and more in seasonal fish movement, bait migrations and water temperature. There are many other elements to consider when choosing a spot however the best way to look at the city is to zoom out on a map and look at each zone of water as one piece of the bigger puzzle.
Starting at the top of the map you've got Hudson river on the west, East River on the east, a reservoir and some lakes/ponds inland throughout Central Park. Then as you go South from Battery Park the rivers meet, Jersey on the left, keep going South through the Verrazano bridge, hang a right along Coney Island, past Marine Parkway bridge, and you've got Jamaica Bay. As you go for a loop around the bay and JFK you exit left and follow the beaches which lead out to the Atlantic Ocean and the Rockaway's. Do a u-turn on the beach and cross the Atlantic ocean to Staten Island. Head back up the Hudson river side and you've got a loop. This a basic way to look at the "NYC Saltwater Fish Highway" with some additional freshwater options mixed throughout Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan and Queens.
I spent a lot of years riding my bicycle around the city with a fishing rod and zero direction. If someone told me to zoom out and consider that fish move around, well it would've saved a lot of time. We're all guilty of it. You catch a nice fish at a spot, it's natural to want to repeat that success.
It is daunting to move to a new spot when you know you can catch fish at "your spot". This is where NYC anglers make a major mistake.
Fish move around.
And some fish species simply cannot tolerate certain conditions within the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter months.
Water and Air are not the same, fish are mostly cold blooded (some exceptions). They do not have ability to throw a jacket on in the Winter or warm up the fire. They move around to acclimate to ideal water temperature in search of food/forage to survive. To think that the same fish, stay at the same spot day after day? You think that year after year that same beach is going to produce?
There are both Resident and Migratory fish species that move through NYC waters each year. The migratory bait play a major role in the staging of the Resident fish population. The same goes for freshwater in the city. Each year the aquatic plants and algae die off in the Winter, this follows a bloom in the Spring and Summer months. This follows a spawn of both bait and predator fish species. These shifts are symbiotic with fish movement. So even in the small city ponds, you gotta move around and understand the pattern to be successful.
So how do you pattern?
To be honest with you, I used to think there was a methodical design for fish behavior. A detailed log book to tell the story with notes of moon phase, water temperature, wind direction, barometric pressure. All the bells in whistles in order to pattern how the fish would move. This can sorta help, but also drive you crazy when it doesn't work.
The best way to approach spots is to think of each year differently and spend time on the water. Sure, you can pull some pointers from previous years but design the new season with a fresh mentality.
After a while you'll discover that a certain water temperature attracts a certain bait. A certain area of the city warms up quicker than another. You'll even recognize little structural changes, like when to fish wood structure and when to fish rock structure. How too fast of current in one area may push the fish to another. This all takes time on the water, focus and patience to observe nature.
So when you choose a NYC fishing spot...Zoom out and look at the big picture. Its fun.
Freshwater Spots:
Saltwater Spots:
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