As of October 17, 2024, the fishing scene around the Hudson River and New York City is shaping up to be quite promising, despite the recent unpredictable weather.

### Weather and Tidal Conditions
The day starts with a mild temperature of around 62°F, under cloudy skies. Sunrise is at 7:01 AM, and sunset is expected at 6:47 PM. Tides are moderate, with a high tide in the morning and a low tide in the late afternoon, which should provide some good windows for fishing.

### Fish Activity
Striped bass have started to show up in significant numbers, particularly in the northern parts of the Hudson River. Anglers have reported catching mixed-size fish, with some bass over 30 pounds caught while drifting eels.

Bluefish are still abundant, although mostly small, and can be found in the bays and inshore areas. Weakfish are also present in the channels, and some experienced anglers have been successful in catching them.

For those venturing further out, there is a phenomenal bluefin tuna bite going on, but the recent storms have limited opportunities to reach these fish. Yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi have been caught in the Hudson Canyon, along with swordfish and even a rare spearfish.

### Best Lures and Bait
For striped bass, live bait such as eels and bunker have been highly effective. Bucktails, swimshads, and plugs are also working well in the bays.

Bluefish can be caught using a variety of lures, but small jigs and plugs tend to work best. For weakfish, using small jigs or live bait like shrimp or sand eels can be productive.

### Hot Spots
One of the hot spots right now is the area around the Hudson Canyon, where anglers have been catching a mix of yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and swordfish. Closer to shore, the northern parts of the Hudson River, particularly around the Troy Dam and the areas north of the Menands Bridge, have been producing good results for striped bass.

In New York City waters, the bays around Brooklyn and Queens are seeing steady action for bluefish, striped bass, and weakfish. The channels near Oceanside and Freeport are also worth checking out for these species.

Overall, it's a great time to get out on the water, with a variety of species active and the fall run of striped bass in full swing. Just keep an eye on the weather and be prepared for changing conditions.