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Staten Island Surf Fishing
Article posted on: May/02/00
author: Stephen Byrne
(howto@noreast.com)
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Fishing the Staten Island side of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge is relatively new to me. While I have made plenty of trips to the area by boat, I only began giving the shoreline some serious surf effort during the 1999 season.
The reason is that the shoreline area falls within the boundaries of one of New York’s historic military landmarks — Fort Wadsworth. Fort Wadsworth is one of the oldest military installations in the United States. First used during the Revolutionary War, the fort was a key component of the New York Harbor defense system until the early 1960s. The site was closed by the military in 1994, but was made popular in recent years as the starting point for the New York City Marathon. Still, the fort’s grounds were closed to fishing prior to 1999 and trespassers were subject to arrest.
I admit I made a few treks into the fort in years past, but I was always looking over my shoulder. All that changed last year when the military turned over control of Fort Wadsworth to the National Park Service and Fort Wadsworth is now a unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area. That was good news for Staten Island surfcasters. Fishing the Staten Island side of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge is relatively new to me. While I have made plenty of trips to the area by boat, I only began giving the shoreline some serious surf effort during the 1999 season.
The reason is that the shoreline area falls within the boundaries of one of New York’s historic military landmarks — Fort Wadsworth. Fort Wadsworth is one of the oldest military installations in the United States. First used during the Revolutionary War, the fort was a key component of the New York Harbor defense system until the early 1960s. The site was closed by the military in 1994, but was made popular in recent years as the starting point for the New York City Marathon. Still, the fort’s grounds were closed to fishing prior to 1999 and trespassers were subject to arrest.
I admit I made a few treks into the fort in years past, but I was always looking over my shoulder. All that changed last year when the military turned over control of Fort Wadsworth to the National Park Service and Fort Wadsworth is now a unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area. That was good news for Staten Island surfcasters. The bass-catching possibilities along that stretch of the Verrazano Narrows are awesome.
When I was growing up, I heard stories of local sharpies sneaking into the fort by climbing down the steep hills of Von Breisen Park and then slithering along the rocky edge to reach the prime water. If you are familiar with the area, you know what a task this must have been. Then think about getting back, carrying a striped bass with fish up to 60 pounds! What a workout!
There aren’t as many 50- to 60-pound stripers swimming The Narrows these days, but there are plenty of quality fish to be had.
You’ll need the Gateway National Recreation Area fishing permit to access the old fort’s grounds. Information and permits may be obtained by calling 718-354-4500. Two roads lead into Fort Wadsworth. The first is at the corner of School Road and Bay Street. The second entrance is on McClean Avenue. Follow the signs to the parking area just south of the bridge.
There is a narrow, winding road that leads you down to the water. About 100 yards down this road are four parking spots. Two are designated for handicapped parking. There is a little picnic area there and, if you go through the gazebo and down the stairs, you can walk to the surf. Due to the lack of parking, you might want to leave your vehicle in the upper lot and walk down. It’s a short, scenic walk to the water.
Before you go any farther, we need to talk about safety. Your first trip into Fort Wadsworth should be made during daylight hours and at low tide so you can see the general layout of the place and make note of the many fish-attracting features that exist. Those “fishy-looking” structures can also be hazardous to us land creatures. This is not the place for anyone who is not in good physical condition, and isn’t an experienced wader and rock-hopper. This is not the place to go for a day on the beach. It’s serious business. If you are unfortunate enough to take a fall into the water, you could end up in big trouble. You know how the water rips around the tip of the Sandy Hook on outgoing moon tides? Have you fished the Northport Keyspan outflow when the turbines were churning at full peak? Multiply those currents by 10 and you’ll have a good idea of the tidal movement in the area, and the water is moving practically 90% of the time. The fish-attracting lure and the danger is increased by the fact that the bottom drops to 30 feet or so within spitting distance of the sand. Enough said. Be careful.
Korkers or felt sole waders are a must if you plan on fishing the jetty or walking toward the bridge. Another must-have piece of gear is a top to wear over your waders and a belt to cinch them tight and reduce the amount of water that can come in should you take a fall. These aren’t accessories. They’re necessities.
As far as a rod choice goes, you’ll need something with backbone. The line should be no less than 15-pound-test. This is big water. If you connect with a decent fish, you’ll need some stopping power in case it gets out into the current. Long leaders of 50-pound-test mono will help guard against all of the obstacles in the water, as well as give you something strong to grab when you get that fish close enough to haul it in. To sum up the general approach to the fort — Think heavy- duty surf.
There are several approaches to fishing the area. When you follow the road to the water from the gazebo, you will come to a small spit of a jetty that juts briefly out into The Narrows. Most anglers go out to the end of these rocks and toss everything from worms to plugs of all sizes into the current. Cast up current and let it drift along while keeping slack out of the line and you maintain contact.
To the right of the jetty is a series of bars that are visible at low water, except for the bar closest to the jetty. It is underwater, even at low tide, and one of the favorite places for striped bass and Bomber lures to get together. If you think of the jetty being at 12 o’clock, then this bar runs out at about 2 o’clock. The bars farther to the south are good for plugging and bait casting. Other places to consider are The Bowl on the left side of the rocks, the clusters of boulders just northeast of The Bowl, and the bridge abutments.
I am not sure if fishing is allowed directly under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, but the “Parkies” watched me fish there last year and didn’t tell me to leave. However, it is this area under the bridge that is the most dangerous. If you go at low water, you can reach the abutments with big bucktails or Diamond jigs. The bass seem to like to lie right in front of the bridge stanchions.
All in all, this place that has played such a major role in the history of New York has also turned out to be a great place to fish. I had good success there last year and I plan on adding it to my weekly Hit List when I go back on Bass Patrol in 2000.
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Stephen Byrne is a Staten Island resident who has been working the beach for 25 years, often making it to the sand as early as 3:30 in the morning, and returning for another shot after work in the afternoon. “I have a very patient wife,” Steve says.
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| Some of these articles have been gathered from the archives of Nor'east Saltwater and all references to size and bag limits may be out of date. Be sure to check the regulations section of our website for the latest regulations in your area. |
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