West Point Fishing Report October 2013

West Point: Level: Full pool. Temp: Mid 80s. Clarity: Most of the creeks in the mid lake are clear as well as the main lake south of 109.

Bass: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “We finally got what we wished for—a full lake for almost the entire summer. I believe we had a really good hatch and survival rate of largemouth this year, which should really improve the bass fishing in the next few years. For now, I am looking forward to fall fishing. The water has started to drop a little bit, which should pull some of the bass out of the shallow cover they seem to have stayed locked into all summer. This should improve the fishing as the water continues to cool off and the fish go into the fall feeding mode. Some largemouth have already started chasing schools of baitfish in the backs of pockets and will hit small crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps or Zoom Super Flukes. Also, a jig ’n pig will catch some good largemouth around exposed wood or brush. Expect to catch a mixture of largemouth and spotted bass on the shallow patterns. Some schools of spotted bass can also be found on deep brushpiles and can be caught with a drop-shot rig in 15 to 25 feet of water. Try the mouths of most of the major creeks and the Chattahoochee River south of Hwy 109. The same old structures such as drop-offs, ledges, roadbeds continue to hold the deeper fish.”

Linesides: Good. “With the gradually cooling temperatures, the topwater lineside fishing has already started to improve,” Keith said. “A mixed bag of hybrids, stripers and white bass can be expected. A popping-cork rig, a 1/2-oz. chrome Challenger spoon or a white 1/2-oz. Rooster Tail should be kept handy at all times in case a school does decide to pop up. Specifically, I have seen fish schooling near the mouth of Whitewater Creek and between the 109 and trestle bridges. Using downlined threadfin shad, I have still been catching a few nice stripers mixed with hybrids and white bass—basically from the railroad trestle south. Most of the fish remain near the main river channel or in the mouths of the creeks. When you don’t see them on top, downlining with shad or bass shiners remains the best bet. Some fish are also being caught trolling with mid depth crankbaits, swimbaits and Alabama rigs. Use your electronics to look for these fish in the 15- to 20-foot range. Focus on the edges of humps, roadbeds and creek channels.”

Crappie: “Crappie fishing has improved with the cooling water. I expect to see a really good fall crappie season this year,” Keith said. “They usually start to pick up after the first days of a little cooler weather. Try pitching small jigs around deeper blowdown trees. Concentrate on trees that are close to the old creek or river channel. Docks with brush also continue to hold fish. A small minnow under a float will also work. The fish seem to stack together tighter when the sun is out. Fall crappie always seem to run a little smaller than the ones caught in the spring. The night fishing also has picked up. Try fishing under Yellow Jacket or 109 bridges with lights for your best results.”