West Point Lake Fishing Report – August 2019

West Point: Level: Full pool. Temp: Low to mid 80s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Some largemouth are being caught on deeper brushpiles, ledges and roadbeds as the water continues to warm. Try big deep-diving Bomber citrus-shad colored crankbaits or Texas-rigged Zoom Ol’ Monster worms. Best fishing is around brushpiles in these areas, if you can find them, or if you’ve put them out yourself. Water generation always improves this bite. Downsize baits in these same areas to improve your chances for spotted bass. With the unusually high water from this summer’s rains, some fish choose to remain shallow. The river has remained a little cooler and still has some flow from a full Lake Lanier. Topwater baits such as Pop-Rs, Zara Spooks and Spro Popping Frogs can still be effective for shallow fish, especially around grass and weedbeds. Try targeting areas north of the 219 bridge in the Chattahoochee. Also have a jig handy to pitch into wood cover in these same areas. Slower than normal, but still fairly consistent, spotted bass are still your best bet. Spots are being caught by casting Spot Remover jig heads loaded with Zoom Shakey Tail worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse worm or Mini Lizard around sloping gravel banks and shoal markers. Also try a small Texas-rigged worm or a pig ’n jig around blowdown trees. Try fishing around the bridges and bridge pilings with small crankbaits and shaky head rigs, especially during periods of water generation.”

Linesides: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Expect the downline bite on live bait to continue to be at least OK throughout the summer. Fish have been more scattered than usual with the high water this year. Hybrids and striped bass are still down the lake in good numbers. Some fish are surface schooling on this year’s shad hatch. Try the mouth of Whitewater, Wehadkee and Wolf creeks. Schooling fish can be caught on Rooster Tails, popping-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures. Trolling with crankbaits or crankbait-and-bucktail combos is also fairly effective. Trolling covers more water and can help keep you cool on a hot day.”

Crappie: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Summertime crappie will typically move out and hold on deeper brush and structure or under docks. Fish are holding mostly between 15 and 25 feet deep and tight to cover or shade. Try drop-shotting minnows or shooting docks with jigs near deep water for the best results. Yellow Jacket and Whitewater creeks have been OK. Night fishing is usually pretty good all summer. Try under the bridges with lights.”

Catfish: Good. “Good numbers of channel catfish can being caught,” said Keith Hudson. “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, although bait-stealing turtles are more of a nuisance in the late summer. To target flatheads, go to a larger bait like a 4- to 5-inch bream or large shiner and fish the same areas. Be sure to increase the size of your rigs, as fish in the 20- to 30-lb. range are fairly common.”