A Comprehensive Guide to Drift Fishing In New York
This guide explores drift fishing in New York’s diverse waters, whether you’re a pro or new to the sport. We’ll cover the basics of drift fishing, its benefits, and its history in New York, then dive into the species you can catch and the best locations. We’ll equip you with essential gear and tips for the optimal fishing times. Advanced techniques will help you refine your skills, and crucial safety information ensures a responsible experience.
Learn how to fish – more fishing techniques for Pros and Beginners.
What is Drift Fishing?
Drift fishing involves letting your boat float with the current, wind, or tide, using the natural flow to present your bait or lure more effectively. By drifting instead of anchoring, you mimic prey movement and cover a larger area. Adjusting your line length and using weights helps keep your bait at the right depth. While drift fishing offers a natural presentation and broad coverage, mastering it requires understanding currents, wind patterns, and various setups, all of which we’ll detail in this guide.
Why is Drift Fishing Popular?
Drift fishing’s popularity in New York stems from its effectiveness across the state’s diverse waterways. It covers large areas more efficiently than anchoring, allowing anglers to target fish like salmon and steelhead trout that follow strong currents.
The natural flow mimics prey, attracting species such as catfish, bass, and trout. Rivers with consistent water flow, whether from dam releases or natural features, create ideal conditions for this technique. Drift fishing offers New York anglers a versatile and immersive way to explore the state’s varied fisheries.
Popular New York Drift Fishing Species
Striped Bass, the top sportfish in New York, are aggressive feeders that target live bait and lures near drop-offs and underwater structures, with spring and fall being prime times. Bluefish, known for their speed and sharp teeth, are drawn to shiny lures and are active from late spring to early fall.
Catfish, abundant in rivers and lakes, are bottom feeders that eagerly take cut bait, nightcrawlers, and dough balls, making them ideal for beginners. In coastal bays and estuaries, White Perch, smaller relatives of Striped Bass, are caught with small jigs or shrimp baits. Lastly, Summer Flounder (fluke) thrive in coastal waters, where drifting bucktail jigs or bait rigs along the bottom can yield excellent catches, especially in summer.
New York’s Popular Drift Fishing Locations
New York offers exceptional drift fishing at several prime locations. The Salmon River, extending 73 miles through Oswego County, is famed for its powerful currents and diverse fish, including Chinook and Coho Salmon, Steelhead, and Brown Trout. Lake Ontario and its tributaries provide a vast aquatic playground with trophy Striped Bass, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Lake Trout, best targeted near drop-offs and rocky shoals.
The Lower Hudson River, particularly around the George Washington Bridge, becomes a hotspot for Striped Bass during spring migrations, with drifting live bait or eels proving effective. Montauk Point at Long Island’s tip is renowned for large pelagic species like Blue and Mako Sharks, where drifting large baits with heavy tackle is common.
Lastly, the Niagara River offers a challenging experience with Steelhead and Lake Trout, requiring precise techniques and drifting heavy jigs or live bait near the bottom and current breaks.
Key Equipment
Drift fishing, ideal for covering extensive water areas, requires specific gear for freshwater and saltwater. Use a drift boat for maneuverability in mild to moderate currents.
In freshwater, a light spinning rod (6-10 lb test), a reel with 115-150 yards of line, and monofilament backing (10-12 lb test) are key. Use fluorocarbon leaders (6-8 lb test), small sinkers (3-inch pencil leads adjusted to 1 inch), and swivels to prevent line twists. Choose size 2 hooks and use live bait or artificial lures, with corkies for depth control.
For saltwater, opt for heavier rods (10-20 lb test) and powerful reels (200-300 yards line capacity) with braided line (20-50 lb test). Use fluorocarbon leaders (2-6 feet) and heavier sinkers to manage strong currents. Employ larger hooks (size 1/0 to 4/0) and lures that mimic injured baitfish.
Always wear a life jacket, sharpen hooks regularly, and master essential knots. Adhere to local fishing regulations and licensing requirements. With the right gear and knowledge, drift fishing can be a highly rewarding experience.
Best Times to Drift Fish in New York
While the best time to drift fish in New York waters generally follows the “golden hour” principle, aiming for an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset, other factors come into play. Targeting larger species like musky and northern pike with soft plastics, jigs, bucktails, or crankbaits often yields success during these periods.
However, for species like those attracted to the paternoster rig (a popular bottom-fishing setup with one or two hooks), fairly slack tides are key. This means focusing on the two-hour windows around high and low tide when currents are less vigorous.
Regardless of the species or technique, maintaining a drift speed of around 1 knot seems to be the sweet spot, stimulating fish and keeping your lures or bait fluttering enticingly just off the bottom. Remember, natural bait is ideal, but exploring various artificial options can also prove productive depending on your target.
Advanced Drift Fishing Techniques
Drift fishing, though relaxing, isn’t for beginners. It demands experience and a deep understanding of currents, wind, and underwater terrain. Advanced techniques include using drift socks to control drift speed and maintain a bait’s presentation. Proper sizing of the drift sock is crucial for adapting to wind conditions.
Keeping your bait above the bottom while drifting requires constant attention and understanding of the underwater terrain. Regularly “tapping” your sinker on the seabed helps confirm bottom contact. Feel the line through your fingers to detect changes, such as the sinker hitting the bottom or changes in current.
Distinguishing between snags and fish bites is key. If uncertain, reel in and re-cast to check. Mastery comes with practice, so join more trips, experiment, and refine your skills to excel in drift fishing.
Drift Fishing Safety
While drift fishing offers a relaxed way to cover large areas, safety remains paramount. Always wear a properly fitted life jacket, regardless of your swimming skills. A stable boat or kayak suited to your skill level improves control and safety. Keep hooks sharp for better catch-and-release practices and master essential knots like the improved clinch and Palomar knots to prevent equipment loss and safety issues.
Research and follow local fishing regulations to protect ecosystems, and check weather forecasts to avoid adverse conditions. Inform someone of your plans, including location and return time, for emergency preparedness. Carry basic safety gear like a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, and communication devices. Prioritizing these precautions ensures a safe and enjoyable drift fishing experience.
