West Point Fishing Report – October 2007

West Point: Level: Down 10.9 feet below full pool. Because of low water levels, use caution on main lake, and extreme caution up the river. Temp: Upper 70s to low 80s. Clarity: Clear on main lake, stained to muddy in the backs of the creeks. Stain up the Chattahoochee, but clearing.

Largemouth: Good, said guide Paul Parsons. “Largemouth fishing has been good late in the afternoon during periods of generation. Fish around shoal markers, roadbeds or old pond dams with big worms or deep-diving crankbaits like a DD22. Brushpiles in 10 to 15 feet of water should also produce some fish. Most of the roadbeds have brushpiles on them. Night fishing has been good around lighted docks that still have enough water under them, which is not many. The marina docks are the best bet. Throw a big, black Texas-rigged worm,” Paul said.

Spotted Bass: Good on main-lake, rocky points and roadbeds with a Carolina-rigged finesse worm, Paul said. Also, some nice spotted bass have been caught off the rip-rap at the dam.

Linesides: Very good.“The fish are biting real good down on the flats and humps on the main part of the lake,” said guide Bobby Wilson. “We’re catching fish downlining threadfin and gizzard shad on top of these fish. Most fish are running about 2 to 6 pounds, 25 to 35 fish a day, five-hour trips.” Paul said the stripers and hybrids are on main-lake humps and flats from Highland Marina Resort all the way to the dam. “Live shad fishing is the best way to go. Fish big threadfin or gizzard shad 20 to 30 feet deep,” Paul said. “Find the fish on your graph, and you should get bit. Fishing has been best from daylight until about 10 a.m. These fish can also be caught night fishing with live shad. There is a good topwater bite on the main lake first thing in the morning. Throw popping-cork rigs, Rooster Tails, Rat-L-Traps or Sassy Shads. We have been catching 20 to 50 hybrid and striped bass per four-hour trip. Lots of small striped bass in the 2- to 6-lb. range are being caught. Please release these baby stripers that were just stocked so they have a chance to get big.”

Crappie: Fair. “Fish are still being caught around the bridge pilings,” Bobby said. “Fish should be moving back to the mouth and middle of the creeks. You can catch them trolling jigs, just like in the spring. Night fishing is picking up real good. A good light is a must.” Paul said to fish minnows under the bridges at night 10 to 15 feet deep. Good lights are the key to success. “If you don’t have green Hydro Glow lights, try fishing around the lighted marina docks. The Yellow Jacket, railroad trestle and 109 bridges have been producing lots of crappie.”

Catfish: Good, Paul said. “Channel and blue catfish are biting good at night. Fish around bridge pilings and rip-rap with live or cut shad or chicken livers,” Paul said. “Another good area is around the West Point dam, above and below dam. Some big flatheads up to 30 pounds have been caught recently way up the river, however, boating is extremely hazardous due to low water. If you go up the river watch out for rocks, stumps and shallow mud.”