West Point Fishing Report April 2015

West Point: Level: 3.9 feet below full. Temp: 57-62 degrees. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Expect the largemouth bite to continue to improve dramatically around rip-rap rocks, shallow wood or brush cover or around baitfish schools in the shallows. As the water warms, shallow-water baits such as jerkbaits, ChatterBaits, Rat-L-Traps and crawfish Shad Raps will work even better. Some big prespawn females are being caught, so it is a good time for a trophy. One of the main keys to this type of fishing is to look for the stained water that is just a few degrees warmer. Most creeks seem to be producing. The spotted bass are also starting to turn on as well. Carolina-rigged finesse worms or a Tommy Head rigged with a Zoom Shakey Head worm are good choices for these somewhat deeper mixed fish. Another option this time of year for spots is simply running banks or shoal markers with a small Bandit crankbait. Usually when you catch one, there are other spotted bass in the same area.”

Linesides: Good. Keith Hudson reports, “The river run normally cranks up full bore in late March and into early April. It is usually pretty easy fishing. Anchor out, and use live or cut shad with garlic spray (or in a pinch chicken livers sometimes work) fished on bottom. Sections of the Chattahoochee River north of Ringer access around Grayson’s Landing are usually a good starting place. Expect a mix of whites, hybrids and stripers, and the occasional surprise big flathead catfish. As the month goes along, you can somewhat follow the fish on up to Franklin. Use caution when running the river, as the water is still down a good bit. Fair numbers of fish are still down on the main lake. Downlining with shad or bass shiners is still fairly effective right now. Freelining a live bait will also work at times. The mouths of Yellow Jacket, Wilson and White Water creeks should continue producing some fish. Expect the topwater fishing to be best very early and very late or on overcast days. Gulls and loons help pinpoint their locations, so keep your eyes and ears open. Trolling with mid-depth crankbaits and Alabama Rigs has also been producing in these same areas.”

Crappie: Keith reports, “The bite really picked up this week. It’s time to start filling those freezers with crappie. Wehadkee, Veasey and Yellow Jacket creeks are already producing good fish. Troll early morning near the channels in 10 to 15 feet of water. The fish will move shallower in the afternoons. The Float-n-Fly technique really works well to find and catch a limit during this prespawn and spawning time. Try fishing the smallest minnows you can find or a 1/16-oz. jig under a weighted float around brushpiles or gravel banks in shallow 2 to 3 feet of water. Casting with small Jiffy Jigs (black/chartreuse and blue/white curly or feather tails) is a favorite this time of year. Blowdown trees in 10 to 15 feet of water are also holding some fish. Concentrate on trees that are close to the old creek channels. Lots of nice crappie are already being caught by bank fishermen as well—right now!”