West Point Lake Fishing Report – April 2023

West Point: Level: 2.9 feet below 635. Temp: Mid 60s to low 70s. Clarity: Mostly clear.

Bass: Guide Keith Hudson  reports, “April is usually my favorite month for all types of fishing. The weather is usually beautiful and fairly consistent. Bass can be caught on several different patterns. 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 is to look for spawning shad. Try fishing riprap around bridges with spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and Zoom Super Flukes. Additionally, some big tournament sacks of largemouth are weighed in April by guys who sight fish for bedded bass. A Yamamoto Senko or a merthiolate Trick Worm rigged weightless will do the trick. This can sometimes be an aggravating way to fish but can pay off in a tournament win. Lots of spotted bass spawn in April and are caught by just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse worm or Lizard around sloping gravel banks, especially on the south end of the lake. This tactic normally works very well for numbers.”

Linesides: Guide Keith Hudson  reports, “Excellent. Expect a strong river run from the hybrids and white bass this year until at least mid April. The hybrids have made a big come back since the 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 cutbait (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. They can also be caught on curly tail grubs cast into the mouths of little feeder creeks up the river. Some fish will, as usual, always remain down on the main lake, as well, and can be caught on small crankbaits, topwaters and Storm Swim Shad lures. Try the riprap around the bridges at daylight. The shad spawn should start soon!”

Crappie: “Good. After an unusual up and down March, there should be a good second wave of crappie coming up in early to mid April this year to spawn,” said Keith. “During April, crappie can be in all stages of the spawning process. Crappie can be easier to catch in slightly stained water, especially if you have shallow brush, blow-downs or chunk rock structure. Cuts and coves north of Highland Marina seem to get really good in April. Try casting small jigs under a float or minnows under a float. Spawned-out fish will typically move out and hold on deeper structure for a while to recover. Night fishing should also improve in late April.”

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Bream: Guide Keith Hudson  reports,“Good. Don’t forget about our bream and shellcracker for the next few months. Finding an active bed can take a little effort, but when you do, you can have a ball. West Point has turned into a really good lake for some big shellcracker in the past few years. 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: “Overlooked but dependable, catfish can show up about anywhere,” said Keith Hudson. “Lots of cats are caught every year by anglers who are targeting linesides. The same live and cutbaits (as well as pink worms and liver) that are used on stripers will catch cats, especially in the river north of 219. To target flatheads, go to a larger bait, like a 4- to 5-inch bream, and fish the same areas. Be sure to increase the size of your rigs as fish in the 20- to 30-lb. range are fairly common.”