FISHING STORIES: Piermont Pier Spring Fishing Bite is On, No Joke! (April 1, 2016)

Friday April 1, 2016 was our first fishing trip of the year! A few club members (Sung, Chris, Diamond, Angel, and Dr. Park) made our way to Piermont Pier. Conditions were warm, partly sunny skies, a bit windy, with an incoming tide. The day started out slow, but soon, the fish got hungry.

The action started with Chris catching a nice White Catfish - a new species for him! He used all the skills learned in the Fishing Club workshops to land this nice whiskered species! Way to go Chris! Not long after, he caught another and another...

Chris' first White Catfish!

Fish Fact: The White Catfish (Ameiurus catus) is a freshwater catfish that can tolerate brackish water, which is characteristic to this part of the Hudson River. These fish have eight barbels, a forked tail, and a paler complexion than other local catfish species (e.g., bullhead, channel catfish). Like other catfish, white catfish are scaleless with specialized "taste" receptors on their skin. These fish breed in the Spring, and females lay eggs encased in a gelatinous mass that is attached to burrows or crevices. Males guard and care for the eggs, by fanning them and removing debris.

Next, it was Sung, who today caught his first-ever Hudson River fish! He too landed a White Catfish, and one after another. He made quite the impression on fellow anglers by landing a near 3lb catfish! Beginner's luck? Maybe or maybe not, only time will tell. Our hunch is that Sung will soon become a tactical pro at this fishing thing.

Sung's first White Catfish.

Sung's near 3lber

Chris and Sung doubler-header catfish!

Next, it was Diamond's turn. She waited patiently all day for that one lucky strike, and then BAM! Fish On! And, what a fight that ensued! This fish made a drag-peeling first run that silenced us all. It then swam left and right, over and over. The rod doubled over a few times, which made everyone nervous. However, after some time, victory was Diamond's! She landed this fish, the biggest fish for her to date! Congrats Diamond! A HUGE White Catfish, which was also the biggest fish of the day!

Diamond's jumbo catfish!

Another catfish for Diamond!

Then, Dr. Park caught a small Striped Bass. We quickly let it go and wished it farewell. Grow to become a 50lb bass, little guy!

Fish Fact: The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) is a local species with an epic backstory. They are an "anadromous fish," meaning they live most of their lives in the ocean but breed in freshwater (yes, just like salmon).  Read more about the Striped Bass (which is featured on the back of our club t-shirt - yes!) here.


Last but not least, it was Angel's turn. Being the most improved angler of our group, Angel did his thing. During every trip, he makes sure to learn something new. Today, he brought his own fishing rod. He tied his own rigs, baited his own hooks, and in time, broke in his new rod by landing a big American Eel!

Fish Fact: The American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) has a snake-like body and lacks pelvic fins. Unlike striped bass, these fish are "catadromous," meaning they live most of their lives in freshwater but breeds in the ocean, specifically the Sargasso Sea. After eggs hatch, the young develop into flat, leaf-shaped, transparent "leptocephali" larvae. As these head toward North America, they metamorphose into glass eels, which enter brackish and freshwater systems, like the Hudson River. Here, they grow as yellow eels, which mature into silver eels. After many years, they migrate back to the Sargasso Sea to start the species life cycle all over again.


Overall, I'd say this first trip of 2016 was one of our most memorable. Every angler fishing with different goals in mind. Every angler having caught fish. What more can one ask for?

Quotes of the Day
"I can see myself fishing regularly." -Sung

"That's a new species for me!" -Chris

"The clouds and scenery are amazing! I need to take a picture!" -Diamond

"I got a fish on my new fishing rod." -Angel