Back in the February 2021 issue, Ambrose Channel was my hotspot of the month where I spoke primarily of the great fluke fishing that this great piece of water produced each summer and fall. Thankfully, fluke fishing is holding well at the present time, however, this time around we are going to take a look at the great striped bass, bluefish and false albacore fishing that has been taking hold for the past few seasons.
Ambrose Channel (40.31 638 N/73.592 550 W) is the gateway for global tankers, freighters, and cruise ships along with commercial and private small craft vessels to and from New York Harbor from the Atlantic Ocean. It is said to be 1,000 yards wide and 2-1/2 miles long. Although the channel borders the state waters of both New York and New Jersey, the entire channel is considered New York waters. Therefore, anglers must observe New York regulations when fishing in the Ambrose Channel. Since it is a major shipping lane, great caution must be taken when navigating and fishing this stretch of water. The ships have the “right of way” as they cannot maneuver easily, and refusal to do so promptly will bring a visit from the Coast Guard. In addition, the wake of these ships is often large. Therefore, it is always best to ride the bow of the boat towards the swell since taking a wake broadside on a small vessel can possibly capsize.
As for striped bass fishing in this stretch of water, the deep water that ranges from 50 to 120 feet in depth combined with strong tidal currents and an abundance of a myriad of baitfish, which include adult and peanut bunker along with anchovies and chub mackerel combines just the right elements for exceptional striped bass, bluefish, little tunny and a wide range of southern visitors such as black drum that makes Ambrose a fisherman dream come true as fish well over 50 pounds are taken here both in the spring and late fall.
The action starts in May as the stripers drain out of the Hudson and East Rivers, remains nearby through the summer and then regroup with a heavy surge of big fish again in December when they head back up the Hudson or Delaware Rivers for the winter season.
In the early going, anglers employing live bunker on Gamakatsu 9/0 4x strength circle hooks enjoy most of the action while the night bite converts to fresh bunker chunks and live eels. As summer arrives and the bass go deep to keep cool, trolling wire lines with umbrella rigs set up with swim shads and bunker spoons see the bulk of the action. As the late fall arrives and the fish are feeding feverishly for the long hike up the rivers, anything from diamond jigs to live bait will catch the attention of the stripers. Bluefish can be found at just about any time from May through November, accepting anything put in front of them.
Providing there aren’t any severe low-pressure systems moving through the area, September and October are the ideal months to play run and gun with false albacore. Honey and Fat Cow Epoxy Jigs are ideal for nailing some of these speedsters. Be sure to use fluorocarbon leaders when fishing for the albies, as they are extremely line shy. If you are lucky, you may just run into some green bonito for the dinner table.
Fluke fishing still remains good from August to September. Most veterans who fish throughout the channel prefer to jig a Chicken Rig with a 3- to 5-ounce Spro Bucktail and a Spro 1-ounce bucktail as a teaser 18 inches above the main bucktail. Use a Fishbites 6-inch Grub on the large bucktail and a 4-inch Fishbites Grub on the teaser and fish the channel edges which produces many double-digit fluke. When the current is moving hard, a sliding two-hook fish-finder rig laced with an 8 to 10-inch fluke belly, mackerel, or sea-robin strip baits are best. Be prepared to use sinkers to 16 ounces in tough conditions. With that said, try to fish here on days when light winds are forecasted.
Open and charter boats from as far as Jones Inlet Long Island and Central New Jersey come and fish Ambrose as the rewards of big fluke make it all worthwhile.
