2nd trip to Kensico...Lake Trout????

[yonkers26]

This is my first post, and look forward to visiting more often.

I am new to Westchester, and have only been to Kensico twice.

The first time a few weeks ago, tried sawbellies on the south side of the Rte 22 bridge, and no luck. Today, got a decent 16.5"/2.5 lb SM bass, and a perch on the rocks southwest of the Rte 22 bridge...again with sawbellies. I caught the two fish today off the bottom in about 15-25 ft of water.

I've been fishing for years, and have caught almost everything but a lake trout. Today, I was fishing from about 5:30 pm till about 8:15 pm. I was hoping to catch one before the fall.

I am a big fan of live bait, but with lakers, is it better to sit for a while and let the sawbellies swim, or cover more area and move constantly with spoons/spinners? Are they more or less stationary, or do they move come feeding time? I can't count the many miles of shoreline I have walked/explored in my life, so if I need to move more often, I don't have a problem with that.

I didn't see any baitfish schools forced to the top this evening...was hoping it would be that easy. Any input? Thanks.

[VinnyH]

Welcome to the forums from an original Yonkers boy.

The lakers I've caught in the past are usually really deep now. There are more experienced trout guys than me here so hopefully they'll chime in. The Rye Bridge is an excellent spot in general so you'll always catch something around there.

Best Always,
Vinny

[Tom]

Welcome Yonkers,
Right now the water on the surface is too hot for Lakers. You need to go from 25 to at least 40 feet down to get to the cooler water. You can try to cast a sawbellie into deep water and get it down with a splitshot. There are several outcroppings, and points that jut out into the reservoir, near the Rt. 22 bridge and on the Rye Lake side that you can reach from shore. This would be your best laker summertime strategy short of getting on a boat and going deep. In the fall/winter/early spring, lakers are at or near the surface and you can let the sawbellie run without weights.
Good luck,
Tom

[yonkers26]

Thanks guys. I didn't want to ask too many questions, especially ones that I can just google to get answers to.

I may go to the Rte 22 bridge today, and try sawbellies deep. That's exactly how I got yesterdays SM and perch. I had one rod with a sawbelly deep, with 2 split shot about two feet up from the bait, and was livelining with the second rod. I caught both fish off the bottom.

I'm still on vacay, so I may try the 22 bridge this afternoon.

Yep....I'm now a Yonkers boy too lol. I'm orig from the Bronx, then moved Orange County. I pretty much grew up in orange, so if anyone needs fishing info about the orange/sullivan area, I've fished a few areas, and may be able to help out.

Edited for a typo.

[joel137]

like it was said they are deep besides live bait you can try to use a kastmaster  and let it fall way down.the downside is if ya hang up it gets expensive.I catch plenty of lakers doing vertical jigging,thats a little tough from shore

[yonkers26]

Was out on a few spots along 22, and near the bridge this evening. Only thing I was able to hook was a small bullhead on a sawbelly. On a positive note, I was able to pick up some senkos and krocodiles at Wade's today. I'm looking forward to trying the senkos next time I go out, and hopefully hook into some SM's.

Joel137,

I'll probably wait until it gets a little cooler before I focus on trout again. I'll tie spoons on now and then to see if I can catch a stray.

[joel137]

i may try on sunday weather permiting if you want to help me move my boat ill take ya out.i still got to see what my other plans are

[yonkers26]

Joel,

I really appreciate the invite, trust me, but I won't be able to make it. I will be in the city the next two days, and won't be back until late Sunday night.

I'll definitely take you up on that offer another time. Depending on what time of the day that would be, breakfast, lunch, or a few beers are on me.

[joel137]

im currently out of work so i can go during the week as well let me know.I drink diet coke these days

[yonkers26]

Sounds good. My days off change, but I may be able to in a week or two. Thanks.