West Point Lake Fishing Report – April 2025

West Point: Level: 5.5 feet below 635. Temp: Mid 60s. Clarity: Mostly clear.

Bass: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Good. If you want to catch some fish, April is usually the most consistent month of the year for all types of fishing. The weather is usually beautiful, and it is just a great time frame to be on the water. Largemouth bass can be caught on several different patterns this month, and all of them involve staying shallow for the most part. Topwater baits, such as Pop-Rs, Zara Spooks and buzzbaits can be extremely effective for shallow and aggressive prespawn and spawning fish. Try the backs of pockets in most of the major creeks. I normally prefer the pockets with little feeder creeks in the backs. The second pattern that works really well is to look for spawning shad. Try fishing rip-rap around bridges with spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and Zoom Super Flukes. Additionally (not one of my favorites, but it can win a tournament), is sight fishing. Some of the biggest bags of the year are weighed in by guys who are good at it. Try throwing a Zoom merthiolate worm or a Senko at fish that you see locked on beds in shallow water. Other techniques will work in April, as well, so just get out there, and you will probably catch them. Lots of spotted bass spawn in April and are caught by just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse worm or Mini Lizard around sloping gravel banks. This tactic normally works very well for numbers. Spotted bass fishing is usually better on the lower end of the lake.” 

Linesides: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Excellent. There are also some really good stripers showing up this spring, if you are willing to put in the extra effort that it takes to land one. You need heavier equipment, bigger weights, hooks and bigger baits. You might only get a few bites a day, but they could be 20-plus-lb. fish. Gizzard shad are probably the best bait, if you can net them, but they will take a hand-sized bluegill, as well. Try fishing deeper areas from the 219 bridge north to around the Potato Creek area. Due to the colder winter and the lack of rain this spring so far, I anticipate a strong river run from the hybrids and white bass this year, until at least mid April. The hybrids have made a nice come back since the DNR has been stocking them again for the past several years. Many of these fish are mature enough this year to guarantee a big run. Try live or cutbait (even chicken livers will work at times) fished in holes from Grayson’s Landing to Franklin. Spray your bait with a little garlic scent for even more bites. Some fish will, as usual, always remain down on the main lake, as well, and can be caught on small crankbaits, topwaters and Storm Swim Shad lures. Fish the shad spawn on rip-rap for the first hour or so of daylight for good results.” 

Crappie: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Good. There should be a good second wave of the smaller crappie coming up in early to mid April this year to spawn after the lower water and colder nights that we had in mid March slowed them down. During April, crappie can be in all stages of the spawning process. Crappie can be easier to catch in slightly stained water, especially if you have shallow brush, blowdowns or chunk rock structure. Spawned-out fish will typically move out and hold on deeper structure for a while to recover. Night fishing should also improve in late April.”

Bream: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Good. Don’t forget about our bream and shellcracker. Finding an active bed can take a little effort, but when you do, you can have a ball. Bedding usually takes place  on the full moon cycles in April and May. Look for shallow cover in the backs of pockets. Sandy flats and stump beds tend to draw the fish like a magnet. Use live pink worms, crickets and small jigs for the best results.”

Catfish: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Good. This lake is full of catfish, and they seem way underfished. They can be caught about anywhere that there is fairly deep water nearby. Lots of channel cat are caught every year by anglers who just enjoy relaxed fishing. Live and cutbaits will catch cats all over the lake. Just anchor out, throw a little stinky chum out (sinking dog or cat food works well), put out a few bottom rigs and relax. The catfish will find you. To target flatheads, go to a larger bait, like a 4- to 5-inch bream and fish areas north of the 219 bridge. Be sure to increase the size of your rigs as fish in the 20- to 30-lb. range are fairly common.”