West Point Lake Fishing Report April 2016

West Point: Level: 3.5 feet below full pool. Temp: Mid 60s. Clarity: Lightly stained.

Bass: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Warming weather and a slightly stained lake have moved many of the largemouth shallow quickly after the warming trend. Expect the largemouth bite to continue to be good around any shallow wood or brush, rip-rap rocks or around shallow spawning baitfish schools. Shallow-water baits such as ChatterBaits, squarebill crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps should work effectively. Zoom Texas-rigged worms and lizards in green pumpkin are also producing some bass around wood. A ditch or creek run sometimes helps to bring warmer water into an area, especially after a warm rain. Dark chunk rock or even red clay retain heat and attract bass. A few bass have even to started to show up on the bed. Try a weightless merthiolate-colored Zoom Trick Worm for good results. Expect good numbers and good size. For spotted bass, try the old faithful—a Carolina-rigged Zoom finesse worm around sloping gravel banks. Spotted bass often bed in groups, so when you catch one, expect more.”

Linesides: Good. Keith Hudson reports, “The river run is kicking in strong now, and how good it stays usually depends on weather and water conditions. What you don’t want is really muddy and cold water below 50 degrees. I usually start out with cut bait soaked in garlic spray when the water temp is around 60 or lower. Live shad usually work better in water temps of 60 or higher. Start around Ringer Access, and follow the fish upstream as the water warms. Be careful—the river is still low. Stripers mixed with hybrids and white bass can continue to school on top down the lake throughout spring, as well. As usual, expect the topwater fishing to be the best very early and very late or on overcast days. The mouths of Wehadkee and Maple creeks have been producing some linesides. Downlining with live shiners will also work. Target drop-offs near the channel or the top of humps. Trolling with mid-depth crankbaits, Alabama Rigs, bucktail jigs and vertical jigging with spoons has also been producing in these same areas.”

Crappie: Excellent. “The recent warm days have drastically improved the crappie fishing,” Keith Hudson said. “Crappie are being caught by boaters and bank fishermen in the shallows on minnows and jigs under floats, especially in the afternoons. Blowdown trees in 5 to 10 feet of water are still holding some crappie. Concentrate on trees that are close to the old creek or river channel. Some crappie are being caught by drop-shotting minnows over or near deeper brush. Trolling for crappie is good right now, as well. Expect the shallow bite to turn off in the event of an extended cold snap a big rain.”