West Point Fishing Report – May 2008

West Point: Level: Down 0.5 feet below full pool. Temp: Low 70s. Clarity: Clear on the main lake and in the creeks. Stained up the river.

Bass: Fair. “I think most of the larger fish have bedded out already, but there will be fish moving up onto the beds all the way through the next full moon,” said Charlie Baldwin. The shad spawn started about a week ago, and if you notice shad flashing early in the morning it shouldn’t be any problem to catch fish. Try a spinnerbait, topwater or a crankbait through the shad. Over the next few weeks, the postspawn fish should be moving out deeper to points and ledges to feed in 15 to 20 feet of water. Crankbaits and Carolina rigs should be very productive on these postspawn fish.

Linesides: Very good, said guide Paul Parsons. “They’re almost done with their spawning run up the river. The shad are starting to spawn on the main lake on the rip-rap around the bridges early in the morning, and hybrids up to 8 pounds are being caught,” Paul said. “Good artificial lures to use are small crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Super Flukes. You can also downline shad about 8 to 10 feet deep and catch bigger fish. The action will only last for about the first 30 minutes of daylight. After the shad stop spawning on the rocks, you should be able to keep catching them for a little while on live shad out over deeper water by dropping your baits down around 15 to 20 feet. Then look for hybrids and stripers to start schooling on the main-lake humps, flats and roadbeds.”

Crappie: Good, said guide Bobby Wilson. “Fish are moving in and out right now, feeding on the shad that are moving in and out. Try trolling Jiffy Jigs under a cork, with black/chartreuse working best. Or try casting at the bank. Any trees you see down in the water are usually holding a few fish — try minnows on these. After the spawn these fish will move out to brushpiles in the creeks and river channel. Downline minnows to the top of these brushpiles, and you still can come away with a good mess of fish.”