West Point Fishing Report – June 2007

West Point: Level: Down 3.8 feet below full pool. Temp: Mid to upper 70s. Clarity: Clear on main lake; light stain in the creeks.

Largemouth: Good, said guide Paul Parsons. he said the fish were still in a spring pattern in shallow brushpiles and blowdowns. He was catching them throwing a jig ’n pig, Texas-rigged lizard or a Trick Worm without a weight. There was a topwater bite early and late in the day on buzzbaits, Pop-Rs or Zara Spooks. “We’re just waiting on them to go into their summer pattern,” Paul said. “They should already be there, but all we’re catching out on the humps is spots.” When the fish move into their summer pattern, Paul said they will move out into 15- to 30-foot depths on humps and roadbeds. The Carolina-rig bite should turn on.

Spotted bass: Excellent. Paul said he is catching spots all over the lake on rocky points with a Carolina-rigged finesse worm in green pumpkin, watermelon seed or chartreuse pepper. He has been catching lots of 2- to 4-lb. spots.

Linesides: Very good, said Paul and guide Bobby Wilson. Fish are back down into the lake following the spawning run. Fish the flats, roadbeds and standing timber. Live bait will work very well fished on a downline. Threadfin shad and gizzard shad are the best bet to boat a lot of fish. Look for schooling fish on top and try popping corks with a popping bug, Rooster Tail, jigging spoon or a Rat-L-Trap to catch these schooling fish. A good graph is a must to have. Paul said the fish are holding in 25 to 35 feet of water, and that lots of small 2- to 3-lb. striper, along with some big hybrids are being caught downlining. He also mentioned a good topwater bite early during the first hour of daylight in some of the creeks. Popping-cork rigs, Sassy Shads and Rat-L-Traps are the best bet for these schooling fish. Paul caught 32 hybrids on live shad on May 21.

Crappie: Excellent. Bobby said he is catching 75 to 90 fish each trip by fishing brushpiles and downed trees. He said minnows, fished on a Carolina rig with a No. 2 hook, are catching lots of fish over the tops of the trees and brushpiles. Paul said the big crappie — from 1 pound to heavier than 2 pounds— are biting, and they can be caught on live shad around brushpiles, blowdowns and docks in shallow water.