Located in the city of Rye, NY, is the famous Rye Playland, home to the equally well-known Rye Playland Fishing Pier. As expected, there is an admission fee to enter the park; however, fishing from the pier is free, provided you follow a few rules and regulations designed to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.
According to Nuno DeCosta of Tyalure Professional Tackle and Gear—located at 180 Theodore Fremd Ave in Rye, just five minutes from the pier—the location offers a wide range of angling opportunities from spring through fall. In April, striped bass begin appearing as they migrate out of the Hudson and East Rivers into the Long Island Sound. Plastics such as Storm Swim Shads or 7-inch Albino Bass Assassins produce well when worked along the bottom, while Yo-Zuri swimming plugs shine when bass feed on the surface.
May is one of the busiest months, with bluefish making an early appearance. Kastmasters and 007 diamond jigs are the go-to lures for these aggressive feeders. By month’s end, fluke arrive, with a few keepers mixing in among the shorts. Traditional fluke rigs and bucktails tipped with squid, spearing, or Gulp baits will keep anglers busy with summer flatties.
In June, porgies move in, with some quality scup landed before the smaller summer fish dominate. From July through September, the pier offers a diverse mix of species—fluke, porgies, bluefish, snapper blues, and spot—providing steady action for anglers of all ages and skill levels. Many regulars set up with both bait and lures to cover more ground, often using sabiki rigs to fill a bucket with baitfish while waiting for bigger predators. October brings exceptional tautog (blackfish) action around the rocky structure near the pier, with Asian, green, and fiddler crabs serving as prime baits. Early November can still produce a few tog, but the real draw is the fall blitz, when bluefish and striped bass crash bait schools in explosive fashion, often within casting distance.
The pier is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the park’s season, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. After Labor Day and before Memorial Day, parking is free and fishing is open 24 hours a day. The best tides are typically the last three hours of the incoming and the first two hours of the outgoing, which often yield the most consistent bites. On windy days, the east or west sides of the pier can offer some shelter and better water clarity.
Keep in mind that only two rods per person are allowed. Anglers must carry a valid New York State Saltwater Marine Registry and are prohibited from keeping undersized, oversized, or out-of-season fish. Enforcement is strict, and checks are frequent, so it pays to know the regulations before you cast. For bait, tackle, and up-to-date fishing info, Tyalure Professional Tackle is an essential stop, offering everything from pier gear to offshore tackle for your next adventure.
