West Point Fishing Report – April 2009

West Point: Level: 5.3 feet below full pool and rising. Temp: Upper 40s to mid 50s. Clarity: Clear in the main lake; lightly stained in the backs of the creeks.

Bass: Very good. Joe Chandler said the first wave of spawning fish moved up in mid March, and the next waves are following. The fish should be locked down hard on the beds in late March and early April. Joe said they were way back in the pockets shallow, and he caught them burning a 3/8-oz. white/chartreuse spinnerbait around any shallow structure he could find. Other anglers were catching them fishing ditches near spawning areas with a jig.

Hybrids and Stripers: Good and getting better, reports guide Bobby Wilson. “We’re catching good stripers and a few hybrids on live threadfin and gizzard shad,” Bobby said. “Fish large gizzard shad, and you’ll catch larger fish. Fish on the bottom with Carolina-rigged live or cut bait. Fish are still moving up river for the river run. It should be excellent in another week, with lots of fish coming up river. These fish are from Grayson’s Landing to the ball park in Franklin.

Crappie: Excellent. “Fish are moving into the shallows and getting ready to spawn,” Bobby said. “Fish minnows on a cork or cast a Jiffy Jig under a cork at the bank or structure in the water. Try trolling jigs in the main channel or close to the bank.”