West Point Fishing Report November 2011

West Point: Level: 10.5 feet below full pool. Temp: Around 70 degrees. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Good. Chris Bell reports, “Fishing has continued to pick up with the recent cooler temperatures. Cooler temperatures and low water conditions have concentrated fish on just about any shoreline cover available. Fish can be caught on many different patterns right now dependent on current weather conditions. On windy days, use a 3/8-oz. spinnerbait in a chartreuse/white color with double willowleaf blades, gold and silver combination. On days when there is less wind, use shallow-diving crankbaits and topwater poppers in shad patterns. With these baits, you will need to cover a lot of water, so be prepared to stay on your trolling motor.” Guide Paul Parsons also said the fishing is good. He reports, “Some good fish have been caught on buzzbaits and other topwater lures early in the morning. Later in the day, deep-diving crankbaits are working well on the humps and roadbeds. We have been catching lots of big largemouths on live shad. Spotted bass are holding on the humps and roadbeds. We have also been catching big spots on shad.”

Linesides: Good. Chris reports, “Topwater activity is heating up first thing in the morning and late in the evening. The mid-day bite has continued to be the same using live shad on humps and roadbeds, but for consistent action focus on schooling topwater fish. To catch these topwater fish, use floating flies trailed behind popping corks. The action can last for a while, so be prepared. The best areas for topwater action have been mid lake from north of Wehadkee Creek to the 109 bridge.” Paul said the striper fishing is very good. He reports, “Striper fishing on the main-lake humps and flats with live shad is good. We have been catching stripers from the railroad trestle all the way down to the dam. There has been some topwater striper action first thing in the morning, and we have been catching these fish on popping cork rigs.”

Crappie: Good. Chris reports, “Fish have not begun roaming yet, but once you locate fish in cover you can catch quite a few. The best locations have been in Yellow Jacket Creek on standing timber and deep brushpiles. Temperatures have not dropped quite enough for trolling jigs, so stick with downlining live bait.” The trolling bite should pick up this month, as fish move up to feed.