West Point Fishing Report March 2015

West Point: Level: 4.6 feet below full. Temp: Upper 40s. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “We still seem to be stuck in this winter weather pattern for at least a little longer. As long as the weather remains cold and the lake continues to drop and clear up, expect the largemouth bite to continue to be fair at best around rip-rap rocks, shallow wood or brush cover or around baitfish schools in the shallows. Shallow-water baits such as ChatterBaits, Rat-L-Traps and crawfish Shad Raps will work at times. A few big prespawn females are being caught, so it is a good time for a trophy. Remember, a warming trend or heavy rain will usually improve the bite very quickly. One of the main keys to this type of fishing is to look for stained water that is just a few degrees warmer. Expect some fish (especially spots) to stay stacked up on deeper structures such as humps, ledges, roadbeds and brushpiles in at least 15 to 25 feet of water. Drop-shot worms, jigging spoons or a green-pumpkin 1/2-oz. football-head jig are good choices for deeper mixed fish. For specifically targeting spotted bass, try a Tommy Head with a Zoom Shakey Head worm around rip-rap, brushpiles or rocky banks with blowdowns. Another good spot technique this time of year is drop-shotting directly in brushpiles. Simply running banks with a small crankbait can also produce spots.”

Linesides: Good. Keith reports, “The mouths of Yellow Jacket, Wilson and White Water creeks should continue producing fish. Russ’ Hand-Tied Bucktails or a white 1/2-oz. Rooster Tail should be kept handy in case you spot surface feeding activity. A big Red Fin also is a good choice for larger fish. Expect the topwater fishing to be best very early and very late or on overcast days. The fish are mostly less than 3 pounds, but there is an occasional big one mixed in. Gulls and loons help pinpoint them. I still suggest vertical jigging a spoon as well. As long as the water is clear, they will hit it. Trolling with mid-depth crankbaits and Alabama Rigs has also been producing in these same areas. The river run usually cranks up in late March. Downlining with shad or bass shiners is also fairly effective right now. Most of the fish are running a little small. Lots of 1- to 3-lb. fish are there for the taking. Bigger fish often suspend under the smaller schoolies in the 25- to 35-foot range and can be caught on the live bait. Freelining live bait will work at times.”

Crappie: Good. Keith reports, “It is time to start trolling for crappie. Wehadkee, Yellow Jacket and Beech are already producing a few fish. Troll near the channels in 12 to 18 feet of water. You can also try fishing a minnow under a float around brushpiles or pitching small tube jigs under docks. 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. Drop-shotting minnows over or near deeper brush will also produce results.”