West Point Fishing Report June 2011

West Point: Level: 2.3 feet below full pool. Temp: Mid 70s. Clarity: Stained on the main lake; clear up the creeks; stained up the Chattahoochee.

Bass: Good. Chris Bell reports, “There are still a few fish left on the bed, but most fish are falling into the postspawn pattern. The spawning fish that are left are primarily north up the river past Ringer Access. To catch these fish use Texas-rigged soft plastics. With the lower levels, finding spawning fish will become increasingly difficult. My secondary pattern is the shad spawning early in the morning. Look for shad spawning at daybreak before the sun crests the trees. This pattern will not last long but can produce some really big fish. Use buzzbaits in white with a silver prop to mimic spawning shad. The best areas are rocky points and rip-rap located near bridges.” Paul Parsons reports, “Most bass are in a postspawn pattern and are holding in shallow wood cover like blowdowns and brushpiles. Some good fish have been caught on buzzbaits first thing in the morning around this shallow wood cover. Other good baits to try right now are spinnerbaits, Trick Worms and lizards. Some bass are still bedding on the extreme north end of the lake where water temps have stayed unseasonably cool. A Texas-rigged or split-shot rigged lizard should catch these fish.” Stephen McCord mentioned something interesting. He said largemouths, spots and bream are taking advantage of the 13-year cicada hatch right now. Stephen said an XCalibur Zell Pop fished shallow near wooded banks where the bugs are likely to hit the water should produce some fish. He likes something with a yellow belly because the bugs have a little yellow on them. Other than that, Stephen said the shad are still shallow mid-lake. He’s been catching fish in less than 5 feet of water around bridge pilings and blowdowns with Senkos and swimbaits.

Linesides: Good. Paul Parsons reports, “Lots of stripers and hybrids are still running up the river. The run up the river was about three weeks late this year due to cool water temps. Striper fishing on the main-lake humps with live shad is also starting to pick up as the fish move back down into the lake. Fifty-plus fish days are common.” Chris reports, “Fish have been relating to shad first thing in the morning. Look for schooling fish. Fish are schooling lakewide in the mouths of pockets and creeks. The action will be fast, so use fast moving shad-imitating baits. Use 1/4-oz. Rat-L-Traps and Pop-Rs. Work baits quickly.”

Crappie: Good. Chris reports, “Crappie fishing has been good. With lower water levels, fish have pulled out to their normal summertime areas. Use live minnows around deep brushpiles, docks and bridge pilings. Fish are positioned in depths from 10 to 15 feet deep. The best bridge pilings are the Yellow Jacket and Half Moon Creek bridges.” Paul reports, “Crappie fishing under the main-lake bridges at night is starting to pick up. The Cameron Mill Road bridge in Yellow Jacket Creek is a popular bridge for night fishing. The railroad trestle and 109 bridges are also good bets for catching a cooler full of slabs. Live minnows are the best bait.”