West Point Fishing Reports – April 2021

West Point: Level: 2.1 feet below full pool. Temp: Upper 50s to low 60s. Clarity: Stained up the river and in the upper-lake creeks.

Bass: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Largemouth bass can be caught on several different patterns during April. Topwater baits such as Pop Rs, Zara Spooks and buzzbaits can be extremely effective for shallow and aggressive prespawn and spawning fish. The second pattern that works really well at times is to look for spawning shad. Try fishing rip-rap around bridges with spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and Zoom Super Flukes. Sight fishing can target bass that are locked on bed. This can be an aggravating way to fish but can pay off. Try a wacky-rigged Zlinky worm or a merthiolate Zoom Trick Worm to make them mad enough to bite. Lots of spotted bass spawn in April and are caught by just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse worm or Mini Lizard around sloping gravel banks. This tactic normally works very well for numbers. April is usually my favorite month for all types of fishing in general!”

Linesides: Excellent. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Because of lower water and cooler water temps in March, expect a strong river run from the hybrids and white bass again this year until at least mid April. The hybrids have made a nice comeback since DNR has been stocking them again for the past several years. Many of these fish are mature enough this year to guarantee a big run. Try live or cut bait—even chicken livers will work at times—fished in holes from Grayson’s Landing to Franklin. Spray your bait with a little garlic scent for even more bites. Casting curly-tail grubs or small spinners will work well at times also. Some fish will, as usual, always remain down on the main lake and can be caught on small crankbaits, topwaters and Storm Swim Shad lures.”

Crappie: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “There should be a pretty good second wave of crappie coming up in early to mid April this year to spawn after the cool weather and low lake levels we had in March slowed them down. During April, crappie can be in all stages of the spawning process, from prespawn, spawn and postspawn. Crappie can be easier to catch in slightly stained water, especially if you have shallow brush, blowdowns or chunk rock structure. Use small jigs and minnows under a float for the best results. Spawned-out fish will typically move out and hold on deeper structure or under docks for a while to recover and should start to bite again by the end of the month. Night fishing should also improve in late April.”

Bream: Good. “Don’t forget about West Point’s bream and magnum shellcracker,” said Keith Hudson. “Finding an active bed can take a little effort, but when you do, you can have a ball. Bedding usually takes place on the full moon cycles in April and May. Look for shallow cover in the backs of pockets. Sandy flats and stump beds tend to draw the fish like a magnet. Use live pink worms, crickets and small jigs for the best results.”

Catfish: “Use live worms and cut bait, and you will catch channel catfish almost anywhere on the lake. To target flatheads, go to a larger bait like a 4- to 5-inch bream and fish deep holes north of 219 in the main Chattahoochee River. Increase the size of your rigs, as fish in the 20- to 30-lb. range are fairly common.”