West Point Fishing Report May 2012

West Point: Level: 4.5 feet below full pool. Temp: 74 degrees. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Good. Chris Bell reports, “Look for fish to be positioned in the middle of pockets along ditch lines. Based on moon phases, fish were beginning to spawn lake-wide this past week. But with the weekend cold front, fish pulled back to the creek channels within spawning coves. For consistent bites use 1/2-oz. weighted Carolina-rigged lizards within spawning coves making long casts toward the backs of pockets. Slowly drag baits down the middle of these pockets. The best colors have been green pumpkin and watermelon depending on water clarity.”

Linesides: Good. Chris reports, “Some fish are up river, but some are mid lake. These fish are at the mouths of pockets on humps and roadbeds working their way up the lake. You can catch them downlining live shad or using jigging spoons on these humps. If the bite is slow, stick with live bait, but if multiples are present use your jigging spoon. Do keep a lipless crankbait in silver with a black back present, as during the day fish will sometimes begin schooling in these same areas. Schooling action is very short so be prepared to cast.”

Crappie: Good. Chris reports, “Down lake in Maple, Veasy, and Wehadkee creeks, search for pockets holding large stumps and timber. Large schools of bedding crappie have been in these locations. Use live minnows downlined 24 inches below a floating cork. These fish are in 3 to 5 feet of water.”