East River Fishing. How To Fish NYC Piers With Shrimp

Simple way to catch fish in NYC. Shrimp catches everything during the Summer. Maybe you are visiting from out of town or want to try fishing for the first time in NYC. This is a great introductory way to fish.
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[@dotaclipz2589]

I fished the east river for the first time today after seeing your videos and had a blast. Got a porgy, a fluke, and a ton of blank sea bass in the east village area. Will be going again, appreciate the advice!

[@BobAquatic]

Congrats on your catches! That is a great day of fishing. Hope you have many more fun trips fishing the river dotaclipz2589

[@LightSpinAngler]

Do you keep any fish? My father said there’s bodies in there 😂

[@BobAquatic]

@@LightSpinAngler Sometimes but not often from the river. Some Porgy here and there

[@LightSpinAngler]

@@BobAquatic thanks I like learning about fishing culture downstate. do I need a separate license than my $25 freshwater?

[@BobAquatic]

@@LightSpinAngler Thats a good question because its brackish. I am honestly not sure, I have the salt water and freshwater licenses

[@edawgins]

"Can't fish on this side" "Oh" Immediately cuts to next fishing spot LOL

[@BobAquatic]

If you just play nice and follow the rules best as possible the guards will always cut you some slack. I just pack up and move down the river haha. Thank you for watching edawgins

[@will-ye]

dude THANK YOU so much. i live right here but i've never caught anything off the piers and i've been feeling pretty sad about it. this is so helpful, now i know what to try.

[@BobAquatic]

@@will-ye have fun Will! Navionics is a great way to understand the water in NYC and also develop a spot Rolodex

[@Gotyoulooking]

East River and NY Harbor are loaded with fish. It’s about time and location. We catch huge stripers , blues, flukes, blackfish. Nice video and good info.

[@BobAquatic]

Cheers Gotyoulooking, I agree its a fantastic fishery

[@JMartinDA]

do you catch them for sport or for eating?

[@ouissandy2806]

I used to catch giant crabs there as a kid. They weren’t blues or spider they looked like dungeons. I have no pictures but it was back in 1993

[@neolancer005]

Those were probably jonah crabs. They have another nickname of whiteleggers, they're a popular blackfish bait when you fish offshore.

[@BobAquatic]

Cheers ouissandy2806. I love the 90's stories. The city must've been a good time during then. I'd be curious what kinda crabs too, so many species move in and out of that river.

[@sanderskennedy]

Last year I caught around 3-8 fish (fluke- sea robin) everytime I went fishing during the summer (on pier 8 in Rockaway) I used 3 inch white gulp. This year I’m doing the same thing but only caught one fish out of the 7 times I went out. Other anglers caught nothing too. I’m gonna try shrimp next time I go. Do you find there to be a difference from last year with the types of fish you catch?

[@BobAquatic]

The season had a slightly slow start with the bass but everything is pretty much lined up with last year. The fluke fishing is way better this year than last year. Not sure if you are logging your catches, but sometimes it can be a matter of repeating those tides. Some spots will only produce on certain tides because of the way the pier is setup. But if there are bottom fish there, fresh shrimp will catch this time of year.

[@fishingwithbori]

Great video like always brother!

[@BobAquatic]

Thank you Bori!

[@NicksOutdoors_]

Cool video I Might try at nighttime

[@BobAquatic]

You never know! Thank you for watching

[@FishinAccomplished]

Nice Bob! Bergals (cunners) are actually the first saltwater fish I “mastered” catching when I was a young kid! They can actually get relatively large in the right environment, and like tog, they’re quite tasty if you get one large enough/worth cleaning!

[@BobAquatic]

I used to catch them as bi catch and they were always so small. But these ones lately in the river are a different fish, I am all about it. Looking for that big one, I bet its in nyc . thank you for watching Dan

[@kylephillip6433]

I live in Indiana and I have never fished in saltwater but fishing in nyc looks awesome I hope someday I fish their

[@BobAquatic]

@@kylephillip6433 hope you get a chance to fish the city one day, cheers and thank you for watching Kyle

[@user-dk2iu5wn8k]

When I lived there it was not safe to fish these waters due to toxins. Now these waterways have cleaned themselves up and it looks amazing. Another spot is Jamaica Bay near JFK airport. There used to be a garbage dump adjacent which kept the bay polluted. Now they built a state park with fishing pier on top of the landfill. I could not believe how nice and pristine it is now,

[@tho3334]

Bob come through to long island north shore !

[@BobAquatic]

That is a fun area to fish, thank you tho3334

[@jordanleung4364]

Just out of curiosity, is it safe to eat the fish there? I also live in nyc and always thought it was dirty water

[@BobAquatic]

Yeah it’s fine, I wouldn’t eat any resident fish like Tautog or striped bass. That can get dangerous, but the migratory fish like bluefish and porgy are fine. Just limit and eat in moderation. I personally do not eat fish from the east river and never will

[@MasterInvesting]

You should check out Coney Island Creek / Plumb Beach for some awesome fluke/blue action. Kingfish should be around as of now as well if you gave it a shot.

[@BobAquatic]

fishing back there is mad fun. I have been meaning to make a video but just been all over the place. Thank you for watching

[@lionelvaldes1]

Love your content! I’m fishing around the jbay!

[@BobAquatic]

That sounds like fun! Thank you for watching Leon

[@luriux]

Thank you for sharing your fishing approach to NYC pier fishing! how do you decide when to use a spinning rod or a bait caster? would you eat a fish caught on the east river? Have you fished from Roosevelt Island? is fishing with a bobber a viable option from piers? cheers!

[@BobAquatic]

Thank you for watching. I mostly use a bait caster for vertical jigging. You could use one for the piers but I prefer the action on a spinning rod overall. I would consider eating a migratory fish from the river, blue fin tuna swim in NYC. But not a species that dwells year round. No I haven't fished Roosevelt but I want to. No you don't want to use a bobber

[@petergucci4024]

By October that exact pier your on will be crawling with stripers late fall afternoons and evenings tube jigs sandeel style will be the ticket

[@BobAquatic]

That sounds like a good time! Hope you get on em in the Fall

[@stevetautog880]

Sir I have watched many of your vids and they all were great I want to say that you are an optimistic and positive in that you are able to have fun fishing in this nyc environment surrounded by a disgusting everything and then the thought of that water and what kind of level of pollution must exist OMG maybe I am wrong but I need to be surrounded by nature i.e. Sunken meadow. Jones, Captree even if I catch nothing at least the experience of nature makes the trip worthwhile

[@BobAquatic]

I feel you, I prefer silence and nature for fishing. But living in NYC has been a fun way to look at fishing differently. It's been a good time, but I feel you and prefer quiet adventures too

[@david-gd9te]

Great information. Thank you!

[@BobAquatic]

Thank you for watching David!

[@speedygonzales8144]

What type of fish are those little black ones

[@BobAquatic]

Sea bass and bergall

[@ConeyIsland1952]

Great video learned a lot around NYC...will you do more in New Jersey too? Thanx

[@BobAquatic]

I'll try and get over to NJ sometime but I mostly fish NYC. Thank you for watching

[@fishingwithjacob1]

I am looking forward to doing this in August

[@BobAquatic]

Have fun Jacob! August is a good time for it

[@lochanssl2]

Lookin real fun. I noticed you linked the penn clash ii in the description, Would you suggest this reel for similar fishing to what you do? I wanna upgrade from the cheap shakespeare that I have right now. Looking for some input. Doing the same kind of fishing and a bit bigger like for bass and fluke on the south shore. also was considering the daiwa bg3500

[@BobAquatic]

Thank you! Yes can totally recommend the clash. I use them for the majority of these videos. Got first one in 2014 and landed both of my biggest bass on a clash.

[@lochanssl2]

@@BobAquatic sounds good, appreciate it!!!

[@josephgasperetti3972]

Have you ever caught a keeper bass or any blue fish?

[@BobAquatic]

yes

[@Brooklynapoli]

Nice video as always

[@BobAquatic]

@@Brooklynapoli thank you Brooklyn

[@edwardsferrazza9646]

You should start tagging them!! The stripers are very decent in the river. Have them tested but the river is the cleanest it’s been in 40 years

[@BobAquatic]

@@edwardsferrazza9646 the waters super clean this year. About three weeks ago the rockaways looked like the carribean. Cleanest I’ve ever seen it. NY water rocks, that’s why the pizzas so good. Especially NYC tap water, it’s incredible

[@user-dk2iu5wn8k]

I lived there in the 70's and the best catches in that river were dead bodies and disposed handguns. The city got its act together and created some really nice riverfront parks with fishing piers. The scenery is second to none from the eastern side of river between Astoria and Long Island City.

[@JohnSmith-kl3nm]

How do you choose what fish to target?

[@BobAquatic]

@@JohnSmith-kl3nm whatever I feel like targeting that day and is in season. No rhyme or reason, I just go fish for fun

[@Yankees_1996]

Use cooked shrimp. I use it all the time for Tog and Sea Bass. And I have caught other fish with it.

[@BobAquatic]

That'll work too, I have some in my freezer. Side by side, I'll usually catch nicer fish on the raw fresh. Thank you for watching!

[@Yankees_1996]

@@BobAquatic problem is getting rest shrimp. It spoils quickly and almost always is frozen prior to destination.

[@talvinnagistudentchanel9688]

Do you get your shrimp from bait shop or grocery stores?

[@BobAquatic]

shrimp grocery store

[@ATREZ0123]

Bob Where are you not allowed to fish on the Pier? I thought those areas are all Public I have gotten caught up on those pilings and lost rigs there fishing for Bass. Great Video. Thanks

[@BobAquatic]

I tried to tell the guy that but he was being stiff. I spent time looking at all the signs before filming too. Usually the park signs say if you can't fish or not, those don't have it. Thanks for watching bud!

[@lochanssl2]

My guess is that that area is owned by the NYC Ferry, they probably don't want people fishing and casting near the boat/ loading area

[@hyperrich]

Love these videos! Whereabouts do you recommend getting bait in NYC?

[@BobAquatic]

If your just getting shrimp you can go to a seafood market or grocery store. If its bunker/worm type fishing bait you'll need to go to a tackle shop. Like Bernies

[@hyperrich]

@@BobAquatic Thanks - Will check out Bernies, looking for some Bunker!

[@Gotyoulooking]

Look up Pacific Aquarium in Delancey St for bunker, worm and green crabs. If you want fresh shrimp, squid or mackerel there’s tons of fresh fish stores by grant st.

[@edwardshighonstreetlife]

Don't like your rig too much wait too clise too hook

[@mtdafishgod4099]

Bro I always wanted to fish there and I lived right there on skillman ave

[@BobAquatic]

I think I just had bad timing getting kicked out. I would give it a try if you ever go back. If they tell you to leave just let them know the sign doesn't say no fishing. Thank you for watching b!

[@KKUMOX]

Pier 7

[@abcrc51]

Can you link to the navionic app?

[@BobAquatic]

You can get it on any App Store im pretty sure

[@Football20124]

is there possible to catch catfish?

[@BobAquatic]

I have at the NYC parks

[@ddd6705]

Have you ever seen sturgeon there?

[@BobAquatic]

I have not personally but they are in there.

[@jeffderenzo1500]

i guess shrimp is a good way to get the smaller fish....

[@BobAquatic]

@@jeffderenzo1500 shrimp catches every fish, big or small. Just depends what’s hungry

[@twin336]

This location, please 🙏?

[@BobAquatic]

@@twin336 thank you for watching

[@casanova0102]

Where can I fish for stripers in nyc? Ty

[@BobAquatic]

They move around a lot. There are resident striped bass around but with the warm water they tend to hold in deeper areas with cold water or offshore.

[@bron5025]

They swim up the hudson every spring to spawn.

[@BobAquatic]

@@bron5025 they sure do, there’s locals in NYC too

[@gathneybrandon3546]

the cunner taste like blackfish

[@BobAquatic]

We'll do a Cunner catch and cook one day

[@deets29mtb53]

in new yawk they're BA gawlllzzz

[@BobAquatic]

Aw ya out there looking for that world record.

[@DemetriGalban]

Fish cross bay bridge

[@BobAquatic]

I'll head over there. I used to hit it up but prefer other areas. But ill make a video this Summer at some point . cheers bud

[@robertgerber2533]

That water looks murky.

[@BobAquatic]

It's not too bad, it is brackish water but there's enough oxygen for fish year round

[@FishGuts73]

Great video on how to Go Get’em 🫡🫡

[@BobAquatic]

Thank you FishGuts! Easy way to get people out and hooked on fishing, cheers bud. Have a fun weekend