West Point Lake Fishing Report – April 2019

West Point: Level: 3.6 feet below full pool. Temp: Low to mid 60s. Clarity: Clearing.

Bass: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “April is usually my favorite month for all types of fishing in general. The weather is usually beautiful and fairly consistent. Bass can be caught on several different patterns. Topwater baits such as Pop Rs, Zara Spooks and buzzbaits can be extremely effective for shallow and aggressive prespawn and spawning fish. The second pattern that works really well is to look for spawning shad. Some big tournament sacks of largemouth are weighed in April by guys who sight fish, targeting fish that are locked on bed. A Yamamoto Senko or merthiolate Trick Worm rigged weightless will do the trick. This can sometimes be an aggravating way to fish, but it can pay off in a tournament win. Also try fishing rip-rap around bridges with spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and Zoom Super Flukes. Look for shad-spawn activity on the rocks first thing in the morning. 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.”

Linesides: Excellent. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Expect 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 cut bait—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, remain down on the main lake and can be caught on small crankbaits, topwaters and Storm Swim Shad lures. Try the rip-rap around the bridges at daylight —shad spawn should start soon!”

Crappie: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “There should be a decent second wave of crappie coming up in early to mid April this year to spawn. During April, crappie can be in all stages of the spawning process—prespawn, spawn and postspawn. 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: Good. “Don’t forget about our bream and shellcracker at West Point, said guide Keith Hudson. “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 pink worms, crickets and small jigs for the best results.”

Catfish: Good. “Lots of channel cat are caught every April by anglers who are targeting linesides,” Keith Hudson said. “The same live and cut baits, as well as pink worms and liver, that are used on stripers will catch cats, especially in the river north of 219. To target flatheads, go to a larger bait like a 4- to 5-inch bream, and fish the same areas. Be sure to increase the size of your rigs, as flathead catfish in the 20- to 30-lb. range are fairly common.”