Tong
I am no expert by any means, but I have fished Kensico (by boat) for about 16 years. I am sure many other guys can give much better advice than this, but these are just a few thoughts:
1. Time of year and time of day. While you could certainly catch any fish at any time, the odds increase on Kensico based on time you go. I always do much, much better (certainly for trout) either early in the morning, or in the evening. Lower light means more fish, at least for me. Time of year - brown trout go crazy on this lake in April, May and very early June, and (in my experience) August and early Sept. Lakers (since they are so deep) can be taken all year, but in the fall they seem to take and drop a lot of baits (maybe they are in the spawning mode?) With bass, the time of year has seemed less important for me, although time of day still applies.
2. Bait. I know you could catch a fish with a worm or shiner, but I just think nothing outproduces sawbellies, especially on the NYC reservoirs. They are more expensive, and need a bucket aerator to keep alive, but they are worth it. Trolling spoons (with leadcore or spinning gear) can also work. There are many guys on here who could write books about trolling reservoirs.....I only do it a few times a year.
3. Location. For bass, I will fish around the fallen trees, the dropoffs (e.g. 5 feet to 20 feet), outside the weedy areas, around the bridge pilings, etc. For trout: Browns seem to roam. I rarely get them deeper than 30 feet, and almost always while trolling sawbellies with a quick release "Strike guard" on the rod. Lakers, I usually get them trolling bait right along the bottom, or still fishing right on the bottom.
Look for humps, dropoffs, etc. Without giving away fishing secrets here (everyone knows it) there are dropoffs and humps right out in front of the Rt 22 bridge for example.
4. Rod/line/setup. Everyone is different, but I generally fish flourocarbon (or flouro leader) behind an egg sinker (bigger for deeper depth), either on a conventional rod set on "clicker" or a spinning rod with a Strike Guard. You want the fish to run with the bait freely before you hit them. If you are trolling sawbellies, hook them so they swim naturally (through the nose, etc.). (Whole articles could be written about problems hooking sawbellies.....too long to get into).
I am not a big bobber fisherman.....definitely not on a boat. If you are fishing from shore, that is a different story. If you shorefish with sawbellies, just hook them in the back (so they swim away from shore) as opposed to through the nose like you might trolling on the boat.
5. Clothes. I am so damn paranoid about this, but watch out for these ticks. Spray your legs, wear long pants, etc. There are as many deer along Kensico as there are fishermen. Just ask Lionpshark, who is on this website. A deer practically jumped in his lap this year. There are those ticks everywhere......you don't want to get Lyme disease.
6. One thing I might add.....just a personal thing. Bring out everything you bring in. That is, dont litter. (I am not assuming you do). Too many guys have treated Kensico like the Fresh Kills dump the past 10 or so years. Please be one of the good guys.
7. There is great panfishing on Kensico......perch, bluegill. Just look for weeds, brush, and bring small shiners or worms. You cannot miss.
8. Don't feel bad about not catching. I had a terrible year on Kensico.....just one of those things. But it can be a killer lake, as it was for many members on this site.
Good fishing, and I hope next Spring (or whats left of 2011) is good to you on Kensico.
Bluefish
