West Point Fishing Report September 2014

West Point: Level: 2.4 feet below full pool. Temp: Mid 80s. Clarity: Mostly clear.

Bass: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Expect the largemouth bite to improve around grass and shallow cover, especially north of 219 in the Hooch. Use shallow-water baits such as Spro Poppin Frogs, Zoom Super Flukes and topwater baits such as Zara Spooks and Pop-Rs. As the weather continues to cool down and the lake level drops, expect more fish, especially spots, to stack up on structures such as humps, ledges, roadbeds and brushpiles in 10 to 15 feet of water. Big crankbaits like the Model 7 or 8 Bomber Fat Free in citrus-shad color or a green-pumpkin 3/4-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 bridge pilings, brushpiles or rocky banks with blowdowns. A green-pumpkin Zoom Finesse or Trick Worm on a Carolina rig will continue to produce fish throughout the fall as well. Shoal markers are a good place to start if you are not familiar with the lake at all. They almost always hold at least some fish and are easy to find.”

Linesides: Good. “Schooling stripers mixed with hybrids and white bass continue to bite fairly consistently, ” Keith said. “The areas between the railroad trestle south to the 109 bridge, the mouths of Wilson and Wehadkee creeks and in the main river channel near the dam have all been producing. A popping cork rig or a white 1/2-oz. Rooster Tail should be kept handy in case a school pops up out of nowhere. Expect the fishing to be 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. I expect the size to improve as the water cools down. Trolling with mid-depth crankbaits, Alabama rigs and casting chrome Challenger spoons has also been producing in these same areas. Downlining with shad or bass shiners can still be effective. Oftentimes, bigger fish suspend under the smaller schoolies in the 15- to 25-foot range and can be caught using live bait.”

Crappie: Good. Keith reports, “A small minnow under a float will work, or you can try pitching small tube jigs. Blowdown trees in 5 to 10 feet of water are already holding fish. Concentrate on trees that are close to the old creek or river channel. I like the area from Highland north to 219 in the Chattahoochee. Covered docks with brush will hold crappie. They stack together tighter when the sun is out as they definitely prefer shade. The other option is night fishing. Tie up under one of the bridges or near the major creek channels, put out some lights, and kick back. The crappie will usually show up within an hour or so after dark. It’s a good way to fill your freezer. Night fishing under the bridges with lights usually remains good throughout the fall.”