Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 9:49 am Post subject: Route 9 Ponds 06/05
Daryl (aka Daryl) and I paddled and fished the western Route 9 Ponds yesterday. We parked in the circle at the end of Old Brickyard Lane in Kensington and carried our kayaks down the well worn path through the brush and past a smaller pond to the bigger ponds that are right next to Route 9:
Like at most places that I've visited this year, DEET was an absolute essential for the trip. Permethrin wouldn't have been a bad idea either. It ended up being an absolutely beautiful day for a paddle. We got on the warm misty water at 5:45 am and were off the water around 1:15 pm. The water was clear down to three feet, but most of it isn't much deeper than that. After the hot sun came up, what little breezes we got were very much appreciated. Apparently, it was a terrific day for hot air ballooning, too:
We paddled around for a bit before fishing. At one point, we inadvertently chased a swan off of its nest and the clutch of eggs on which it was sitting. I was surprised that it wasn't aggressive toward us. We also saw a lot of two foot long carp and tons of sunnies in the water. A lot of the pond is super shallow and weedy already. I suggest bringing your favorite topwater lures if you head out there. I got all of my fish on a few different colors of wacky rigged Senkos, despite also throwing a big Mepps inline bucktail spinnerbait, a Texas rigged monster 10 inch worm, a big Rapala Clackin' Crank and a Texas-rigged soft creature bait. Daryl had some success with a diving crankbait later in the day. I think that he landed a yellow perch and a keeper largemouth bass on it. My first fish was a largemouth bass that I landed at 6:40 am in a deeper (e.g., maybe four feet) weedless area next to a shallower weedy area:
It was a keeper, but just barely. I ended up landing 16 largemouth bass, of which only three were keepers. The biggest was only 15 inches long and weighed only 1-1/4 pounds, and I didn't even take a photo of it. While all of the fish were small, they all looked healthy:
Unfortunately, my best fish of the day was a 13 inch black crappie:
I think that Daryl landed 11 largemouth bass, of which only a couple were keepers. As he and I slowly paddled back to where we had launched, he asked, "Where the heck are all of the bigger bass hiding?", when a three pounder slowly swam between our kayaks. I don't think that we'd head back there until the ponds are covered in ice. I've heard that's when the big bass and crappie come out to feed on shiners. _________________ Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!
Last edited by PECo on Mon Jun 06, 2011 1:30 pm; edited 1 time in total
I wasn't aware you were allowed to fish there (not saying you aren't, as there's certainly plenty of bank fisherman evidence that it happens). I used to work for a guy who owned the land around one of those ponds and he warned me that I should bring along a letter from him if I went out there.
Now, he could have been huffing and puffing for all I know, so don't read much into it.
Anyway, I'm glad you got to explore the area! _________________ J.P.
Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:57 am Post subject:
I always try to be considerate of landowners, even if they selfishly don't want me to traverse their property to fish. Do unto others, I guess. I'm not saying that you're wrong, J.P., but the hole through the brush and trees at the end of Old Brickyard Lane where the path to the ponds begins isn't posted "No Trespassing". Neither is any part of the shoreline that I saw, although Daryl told me that the shoreline along Route 9 is very clearly posted. While we were on the water, we saw two guys fishing from a big canoe and four guys fishing from the shore. One of the shore fishermen had the biggest metal stringer that I've ever seen (or heard), so he definitely had high hopes for a good catch. Unfortunately, big largemouth bass and black crappie are probably very heavily pressured there. _________________ Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!
Oh I'm not claiming one thing or another - just saying what the owner told me. I've been there and I didn't see a sign either, so you are probably right.
I'm just throwing it out there!
As for pressure, well, what place around here isn't? Small waters, many buckets, and few restrictions are a tough combo! _________________ J.P.
I drive by there all the time and spent a couple of hours one afternoon trying to find a way in. Nice to see someone got in there that place looks great.
The water tends to be murkier so plan accordingly with the correct colors. There are crappie in there as well like he said. If you park in the culdesac near the brick yard nobody will give you a hard time. Don't be afraid to fish every square inch of that place. It's fairly shallow and i've gotten my best fish out in the direct center of the pond.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Do unto others, I guess. I'm not saying that you're wrong, J.P., but the hole through the brush and trees at the end of Old Brickyard Lane where the path to the ponds begins isn't posted "No Trespassing". Neither is any part of the shoreline that I saw, although Daryl told me that the shoreline along Route 9 is very clearly posted. While we were on the water, we saw two guys fishing from a big canoe and four guys fishing from the shore. One of the shore fishermen had the biggest metal stringer that I've ever seen (or heard), so he definitely had high hopes for a good catch. Unfortunately, big largemouth bass and black crappie are probably very heavily pressured there. 
