West Point Fishing Report October 2015

West Point: Level: 3.4 below full pool and dropping. Temp: 73-78 degrees. Clarity: Some stain.

Bass: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “As the weather continues to cool down and the lake level continues to drop, expect the largemouth bite to continue to be good around any shallow wood or brush cover or around baitfish schools, especially north of Highland in the Hooch. Shallow-water baits such as Zoom Super Flukes, Strike King KVD 1.0 and 1.5 crankbaits and topwater baits such as Zara Spooks and Pop-Rs should work. One of the main keys to this type of fishing is to look for the schools of shad in the shallow water. In late October, expect more fish, especially spots, to stack up on humps, ledges, roadbeds and brushpiles in 15 to 20 feet of water. Drop-shot worms, jigging spoons or a green-pumpkin, 1/2-oz. football head jig are good choices for deeper mixed fish. For specifically targeting spotted bass, try a Tommy Head with a Zoom Shakey Head worm around rip-rap, brushpiles or rocky banks with blowdowns. Another good spot technique this time of year is drop-shotting directly in brushpiles.”

Linesides: Good. Keith Hudson reports, “Downlining with shad or bass shiners is becoming more effective as the water cools. Oftentimes bigger fish suspend under the smaller schoolies in the 15- to 25-foot range and can be caught using the live bait. Some stripers mixed with hybrids and white bass continue to school on top fairly consistently. The mouths of Wilson and Whitewater creeks and in the main river channel near the dam have all been producing some fish. A popping cork rig or a white 1/2-oz. Rooster Tail should be kept handy in case a school pops up. Expect the fishing to be the best very early and very late or on overcast days. The fish are mostly less than 3 pounds or so, but there is an occasional big one mixed in. Gulls and loons should start to show up soon to help pinpoint them, as well. I expect the size to continue to improve as the water continues to cool down. Trolling with mid-depth crankbaits, Alabama Rigs and vertical jigging chrome Challenger spoons have also been producing.”

Crappie: Good. Keith reports, “A minnow fished under a float will work, or you can try pitching small tube jigs. Blowdown trees in 5 to 10 feet of water are holding West Point crappie. Concentrate on trees that are close to the old creek or river channels. I like the area from Highland Marina north to 219 in the Chattahoochee. Covered docks with brush in this area will also hold fish. Drop-shotting minnows over or near deeper brush will also produce results.”