West Point Lake Fishing Report May 2018

West Point: Level: 1.8 feet below full pool. Temp: Mid to upper 60s. Clarity: Mostly clear.

Bass: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Largemouth are being caught on several different patterns. Topwater baits such as Pop Rs, Zara Spooks and buzzbaits can be extremely effective for shallow and aggressive fish, especially around bream beds. The second pattern that should work really well this year in late April and early May is to look for spawning shad. Try fishing rip-rap around bridges with spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and Zoom Super Flukes. Additionally, some big tournament sacks of largemouth are still being weighed-in by guys who sight fish, targeting fish that are locked on bed. This can be an aggravating way to fish, but it can pay off in a tournament win. Lots of spotted bass are caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Zoom Shakey Tail worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse Worm or Mini Lizard around sloping gravel banks. These tactics normally works very well for numbers.”

Linesides: Excellent. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Spawned-out hybrids and stripes show back up down the lake in May. Expect the downline bite on live bait to be awesome! Some fish are starting surface school on the main lake and  can be caught on small crankbaits, topwaters, popping-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures.”

Crappie: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Spawned-out crappie will typically move out and hold on deeper brush and structure or under docks for a while to recover. Night fishing should also improve in May.”

Bream: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “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 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: “Lots of channel catfish are being caught, but few anglers target them. Live and cut baits and worms fished on the bottom will catch cats all over the lake, as long as fairly deep water is nearby. Jug fishing is also fun and productive. To target flatheads, go to a larger bait like a 4- to 5-inch bream or large shiners, and fish the same areas. Be sure to increase the size of your rigs, as West Point flatheads in the 20- to 30-lb. range are fairly common.”