Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

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RJ
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Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by RJ »

Ever since my first crack at a Striper in Nova Scotia I was intrigued by them. A fish that can get to 40 lbs with a bad attitude and a generally pretty predictable disposition, I’m in!

Seeing the odd TV show featuring the Hudson River in New York and then a few fellas on Facebook posting updates from the river last year really got me to thinking. I started working on the details of this trip over the winter.

After the debacle RJ Sr. and I had last fall on Lake St. Clair with terrible conditions and poor fishing I was leery about asking him on an exploratory mission. After careful consideration he was really the one who I wanted to take. We work so well together in the boat so it was a no brainer. He was game!

We left around 2 PM and arrived at 8 PM just in time to pick up our NY licenses. We were also required to get on the Marine Registry. Off to the hotel and some much needed rest as 5 am comes early.

Up and ready to take on the day we slid the Lund into the Mighty Hudson River.

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Though we were allowed to run 2 rods each we stuck with two to keep it simple to start. We were working 30-40 feet of water. The river is very stained so we ran bright body baits off the riggers down 18 and 22 feet. Immediately the Humminbird was showing us some huge marks under us. We were in the right area.

20 minutes into our troll a rigger rod bounced hard and Dad insisted that I take the first fish.

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We’re in business!

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Dad was up next and landed his first ever Striper. Not a biggun at all but still pull good on the stick. We landed near a dozen like this one.

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The Hudson is a beautiful spot. Surrounded by gorgeous vistas and huge riverside homes, it is quite the sight. This lighthouse was like nothing I’ve ever laid eyes on.

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The barge traffic was cool to see as well. Tug boats pushing huge barges up river fairly regularly.

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While we didn’t land a giant fish on this trip we did put it together well enough to pick away at them and have a blast.

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Dad took big fish honors with this brute. Quite the battle this one took us on!

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We packed up around 2 and hit the road to head for home, we weren’t an hour on the road and we were already talking about next year.

Hudson River. See you again soon.

RJ
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iankrzyzanowski
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by iankrzyzanowski »

Another awesome trip in the books for you and you're pops!

When i talked to you briefly about it, I didn't know how you would be fishing them, and riggers werent even in my thoughts!!!


Cools stuff!
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lape0019
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by lape0019 »

That is one fish I would love to target one of these days.

Nice report RJ!
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Kerrazy
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by Kerrazy »

Great report! And fishing with your Dad, lucky guy, never miss a chance!
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zeke13
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by zeke13 »

Great report RJ .. sounds like the memories are just beginning :D
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ShawnD
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by ShawnD »

way to go RJ!
That's one fish on my bucket list for sure!!
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Markus
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by Markus »

I've been saving this read for this morning. lol Looks like a great trip for sure and if you're heading back next year, I might invite myself along if it's the long weekend again. :lol:

Glad you and Sr made this trip happen...I know it's been in the back of your mind for a while.
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Mike M
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by Mike M »

Used to do a lot of Striper fishing in Nova Scotia as a young lad. I remember helping my uncle land a 59 lb monster that gave him fits. We still talk about that fish when we get together. That quality of fish is rarely seen any more. I'm guessing you released all your fish on this trip, but the smaller ones (5-7 lb range) are absolutely great eating.

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Oneeleven
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by Oneeleven »

Always love your reports because of the awesome photos. And I love that you post not only the meat of the story, but the potatoes too. Looks like you guys had a blast!
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by RJ »

Thanks all. Was a fun trip!

We didn't keep any as we really didn't have any means to keep em fresh.

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NMG
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by NMG »

Awesome report RJ. I was born and raised in BC and Stripers are one of the fish I wanted to catch after watching the fishing shows growing up. How did they pull?
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by RJ »

Fairly violent strikes off the riggers. Even a 4 lber yanks it from the clip. They fight similar to a Laker but are more active side to side and pretty much everyone of them dove when they got to the back of the boat. Fun.

RJ
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Out4trout
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by Out4trout »

Thats awesome RJ.
Stripers are on my bucket list. I always figured fishing for them can't be much different techniques than lake trout, so I would likely enjoy it.
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by EagleEyesFlash »

Stripers ! Good on you figuring em out yourself.
Heck of a report. :)
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Mike P
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Re: Hudson River...Striper Beginnings.

Post by Mike P »

Great report RJ!
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