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Greetings all my angler friends! Read this guide and vote YES below!
Today is your lucky day. On this day May 18th 2008 I will spill the beans on where any visitor or resident of New York can find the very best BASS Fishing in the country!
My story: I've lived in New York my whole life and as far back as I can remember, I'VE LOVED TO FISH! Thanks to Dad and Grandpa I became quite a pro at a very early age. My specialty---BASS. What a species to sport fish! Testy, Hard Hitting, and ever soo EXCITING to land. I grew up in the central New York area where the Mohawk River meets the Hudson River, and if you know anything about New York and Fishing you'd know this area iss prime for those green monsters to lurk. I'll tell you 3 things in this guide...
1. Where and where not to Fish
2. What to use
3. When to fish
Safety First...Cohoes has one of the largest waterfalls in the country. At any given time rainfall miles and miles away can drive the water level up very rapidly and pose a life threatening situation to anyone in it's path. For the most part, the Cohoes Falls are slow flowing but in these times of freak rainfall they can produce thrashing current and flow like you've never seen before. Be sure of where you are at all times, what the weather forecast is and was for Central New York going back at least 36 hours prior to your arrival. Wear bright clothing and equip yourself with footwear that can allow safe passage along it's slippery Shale Bedrock. Shale is very sharp, and even a soft fall can leave you with a gash that will need immediate medical attention. Keep your eyes to the ground when walking the river bed. Deep circular pools are located all across the bottom. They generally range from 2-12 foot in diameter and can be up to 20 foot deep. A fall in these pools will not likely result in death unless your a poor swimmer but will surely scare the pants off even the bravest of men/women.The Mohawk River is known to be polluted with PCB's. PCB's are cancer causing so CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY!!!!! Of course the river in this day is far far less polluted than the past, but like I said SAFETY FIRST!
With all the safety issues covered, lets get those bass on dry land and give you some stories to tell.
1. Where to fish- The Mohawk River has Bass written all over it. You can find various species such as Largemouth, Smallmouth, Rock and Strawberry Bass lurking just about anywhere in these waters. Cohoes has one of the Largest waterfalls in the country and having a shale bottom, the current over the years has cut out EXCELLENT places for these Bass to live! When fishing below the Cohoes Falls, just about anywhere will have an abundance of Bass. Try to stay away from the area between the Train Bridge and the control dam located to the east about 500 feet. Fishing this area will get you 2 things, 1. CARP and 2. SNAGS From this area east all the way to junction where the Mohawk meets the Hudson is great fishing as well. Try to stay away from the many small waterfalls as these areas will yield Catfish and Walleye. ***In late July early August these areas will produce generous STRIPED BASS!
Fishing the area west of the Train Bridge all the way up to the Cohoes Falls will produce all day NON STOP Bass fishing action! On the East side of the river is pure vertical cliff with a 200 foot drop..Yea you can't fish that side but walk along the other side and BOOYA, your in like Flynn! If the water level is low enough, walk north and you can find some access areas that will allow you safe passage to walk the river bed all the way to the base of the Cohoes Falls. In this whole area you will find secondary streams flowing below the actual river bed and various pools. I can't say it enough..NON STOP BASS ACTION ALL DAY LONG! If you have what it takes, there's a power dam located north-west at the base of the falls. With the right gear and line, you can land some of the biggest Bass New York has to offer. Above the Cohoes Falls all the way to the RT.9 Crescent Bridge is pretty crappy fishing due to the 2 control dams and limited access. Beyond the bridge is great fishing on both banks!
2. What to use- To know what type of lure to use you must first know what baitfish/insects this area offers to the Bass. In the early morning hours on the Mohawk you can find moths flocking over the water especially on the Van Schoick end of the river. These aren't tiny buggers either. So when fishing early be sure you have a small to medium popper or similar top water lure handy in your tackle. Frogs are scarce so leave the replica frog in the car. These won't yield much and will waste precious time. During the daylight hours there's one lure that is UNSTOPPABLE in the water. DAREDEVIL!! I'll type it again in case you missed it...DAREDEVIL!! Minnows whether it be Perch, Herring, Catfish, or Carp and the tastiest treat for the Mohawk River Bass. Using a small to medium size Red and White or Silver Daredevil will produce some of the CRAZIEST fishing times you've ever had in your life..GUARANTEED!! If you wanna take advantage of the Striped Bass season, use a large Daredevil and a thick Ugly Stick rod. On those dark and clouded days you can try your hand at rubber worms, brown and 3-4 inches long are your best bet. Try to keep your lures on the big side. The bass love to flex their muscles and don't fear bigger meals. I've caught 3 inch Bass minnows on a 4 inch Daredevil before. Plus these Bass hit hard so a small lure could make your chances on a quick and safe release for both you and the fish.
3. When to Fish- Throughout the whole river the best fishing will be approx 5 AM to 9 AM. Anything after this, they've already eaten and you'll get by on few and far stragglers. During the afternoon especially with the sun shining bright your chances drop to almost nothing. The river bed is shallow for the most part and the heat of the surface drives the Bass to it's deepest areas which unfortunately are located on the Cliff side of the river valley. Around 7 PM - 10 PM you can land the Bass anywhere . They tend to be weaker and won't hit quite as hard but the action is still blood moving. During the Striper Season July and August be careful when fishing on Van Schoick Island during the late afternoon times. Be sure your using heavy test line and a durable pole. You don't wanna be prepared for a Smallmouth Bass and have a 35 pound Striper grab on and snap your gear like a Pine Tree in a F5 Tornado. I've been Smallmouth fishing using NightCrawlers and had my finger resting on my line awaiting a nibble when a Striper hooked and ran that line so fast it cut my finger right to the bone.
All in all the Mohawk River will produce some of the best Bass Fishing New York has to offer. Use you brain, be 100% aware of your surroundings, tell a friend, Mom, Dad, Sister Brother Wife, or Husband where you plan on fishing so in the event you don't return someone knows where you were. Unless your absolutely in Survival Mode, CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY! This enables the little youngster or adult after you to enjoy the wonders of Fishing.
I hope you've enjoyed what I've written for you, and know it will serve you well. It's served me well since I was old enough to hold a rod and reel!
Today is your lucky day. On this day May 18th 2008 I will spill the beans on where any visitor or resident of New York can find the very best BASS Fishing in the country!
My story: I've lived in New York my whole life and as far back as I can remember, I'VE LOVED TO FISH! Thanks to Dad and Grandpa I became quite a pro at a very early age. My specialty---BASS. What a species to sport fish! Testy, Hard Hitting, and ever soo EXCITING to land. I grew up in the central New York area where the Mohawk River meets the Hudson River, and if you know anything about New York and Fishing you'd know this area iss prime for those green monsters to lurk. I'll tell you 3 things in this guide...
1. Where and where not to Fish
2. What to use
3. When to fish
Safety First...Cohoes has one of the largest waterfalls in the country. At any given time rainfall miles and miles away can drive the water level up very rapidly and pose a life threatening situation to anyone in it's path. For the most part, the Cohoes Falls are slow flowing but in these times of freak rainfall they can produce thrashing current and flow like you've never seen before. Be sure of where you are at all times, what the weather forecast is and was for Central New York going back at least 36 hours prior to your arrival. Wear bright clothing and equip yourself with footwear that can allow safe passage along it's slippery Shale Bedrock. Shale is very sharp, and even a soft fall can leave you with a gash that will need immediate medical attention. Keep your eyes to the ground when walking the river bed. Deep circular pools are located all across the bottom. They generally range from 2-12 foot in diameter and can be up to 20 foot deep. A fall in these pools will not likely result in death unless your a poor swimmer but will surely scare the pants off even the bravest of men/women.The Mohawk River is known to be polluted with PCB's. PCB's are cancer causing so CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY!!!!! Of course the river in this day is far far less polluted than the past, but like I said SAFETY FIRST!
With all the safety issues covered, lets get those bass on dry land and give you some stories to tell.
1. Where to fish- The Mohawk River has Bass written all over it. You can find various species such as Largemouth, Smallmouth, Rock and Strawberry Bass lurking just about anywhere in these waters. Cohoes has one of the Largest waterfalls in the country and having a shale bottom, the current over the years has cut out EXCELLENT places for these Bass to live! When fishing below the Cohoes Falls, just about anywhere will have an abundance of Bass. Try to stay away from the area between the Train Bridge and the control dam located to the east about 500 feet. Fishing this area will get you 2 things, 1. CARP and 2. SNAGS From this area east all the way to junction where the Mohawk meets the Hudson is great fishing as well. Try to stay away from the many small waterfalls as these areas will yield Catfish and Walleye. ***In late July early August these areas will produce generous STRIPED BASS!
Fishing the area west of the Train Bridge all the way up to the Cohoes Falls will produce all day NON STOP Bass fishing action! On the East side of the river is pure vertical cliff with a 200 foot drop..Yea you can't fish that side but walk along the other side and BOOYA, your in like Flynn! If the water level is low enough, walk north and you can find some access areas that will allow you safe passage to walk the river bed all the way to the base of the Cohoes Falls. In this whole area you will find secondary streams flowing below the actual river bed and various pools. I can't say it enough..NON STOP BASS ACTION ALL DAY LONG! If you have what it takes, there's a power dam located north-west at the base of the falls. With the right gear and line, you can land some of the biggest Bass New York has to offer. Above the Cohoes Falls all the way to the RT.9 Crescent Bridge is pretty crappy fishing due to the 2 control dams and limited access. Beyond the bridge is great fishing on both banks!
2. What to use- To know what type of lure to use you must first know what baitfish/insects this area offers to the Bass. In the early morning hours on the Mohawk you can find moths flocking over the water especially on the Van Schoick end of the river. These aren't tiny buggers either. So when fishing early be sure you have a small to medium popper or similar top water lure handy in your tackle. Frogs are scarce so leave the replica frog in the car. These won't yield much and will waste precious time. During the daylight hours there's one lure that is UNSTOPPABLE in the water. DAREDEVIL!! I'll type it again in case you missed it...DAREDEVIL!! Minnows whether it be Perch, Herring, Catfish, or Carp and the tastiest treat for the Mohawk River Bass. Using a small to medium size Red and White or Silver Daredevil will produce some of the CRAZIEST fishing times you've ever had in your life..GUARANTEED!! If you wanna take advantage of the Striped Bass season, use a large Daredevil and a thick Ugly Stick rod. On those dark and clouded days you can try your hand at rubber worms, brown and 3-4 inches long are your best bet. Try to keep your lures on the big side. The bass love to flex their muscles and don't fear bigger meals. I've caught 3 inch Bass minnows on a 4 inch Daredevil before. Plus these Bass hit hard so a small lure could make your chances on a quick and safe release for both you and the fish.
3. When to Fish- Throughout the whole river the best fishing will be approx 5 AM to 9 AM. Anything after this, they've already eaten and you'll get by on few and far stragglers. During the afternoon especially with the sun shining bright your chances drop to almost nothing. The river bed is shallow for the most part and the heat of the surface drives the Bass to it's deepest areas which unfortunately are located on the Cliff side of the river valley. Around 7 PM - 10 PM you can land the Bass anywhere . They tend to be weaker and won't hit quite as hard but the action is still blood moving. During the Striper Season July and August be careful when fishing on Van Schoick Island during the late afternoon times. Be sure your using heavy test line and a durable pole. You don't wanna be prepared for a Smallmouth Bass and have a 35 pound Striper grab on and snap your gear like a Pine Tree in a F5 Tornado. I've been Smallmouth fishing using NightCrawlers and had my finger resting on my line awaiting a nibble when a Striper hooked and ran that line so fast it cut my finger right to the bone.
All in all the Mohawk River will produce some of the best Bass Fishing New York has to offer. Use you brain, be 100% aware of your surroundings, tell a friend, Mom, Dad, Sister Brother Wife, or Husband where you plan on fishing so in the event you don't return someone knows where you were. Unless your absolutely in Survival Mode, CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY! This enables the little youngster or adult after you to enjoy the wonders of Fishing.
I hope you've enjoyed what I've written for you, and know it will serve you well. It's served me well since I was old enough to hold a rod and reel!
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Guide created: 05/18/08 (updated 09/19/09)
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