West Point Lake Fishing Report December 2017

West Point: Level: 6.2 feet above full pool. Temp: Mid 60s. Clarity: Clear on the south end; slightly stained up the lake.

Bass: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “With the cooler surface temps has come much better fishing. As winter approaches, hungry fish head shallow to feed up. This shallow-water pattern is fairly consistent now and should stay good unless we get some really cold weather. Topwater baits such as buzzbaits, Whopper Ploppers, Zara Spooks and Zoom Super Flukes are effective for shallow fish, especially around shallow cover or when the bass are feeding on schools of  shad. Try targeting areas north of the railroad trestle in the Chattahoochee. Also have a jig handy to pitch into wood cover in these same areas. Several techniques will work on the spotted bass. Try casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Zoom Shakey Head worms to chunk-rock banks. Try dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse worm or Mini Lizard around sloping gravel banks. Try a small Texas-rigged worm or a jig ’n pig around blowdown trees. Try fishing around the bridges and bridge pilings with small crankbaits and Tommyhead rigs, especially during periods of water generation. By the end of November, spoon fishing normally gets in to high gear for a mixed bag of spots, white bass, hybrids and stripers. Target 15 to 20 feet of water near the river channel or in the mouths of major creeks.”

Linesides: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Hybrids and stripes are  down the lake in good numbers. Expect the downline bite on live bait to continue to be good from now and all the way  throughout the winter. The usual humps and drop-offs should produce. Some fish are surface schooling on the main lake and can be caught on Rooster Tails, topwaters, popping-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures. Trolling with A-Rigs is also normally effective.”

Crappie: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “For the best December results for West Point crappie, try targeting blowdowns and brushpiles in 3 to 8 feet of water. I like the cuts and coves north of Highland Marina this time of year. Jigs or minnows fished under a float will usually work on these fish. Some crappie tend to remain deeper even this time of year. Try around structure such as sunken brushpiles, blowdown trees or under docks. Try drop-shotting minnows or shooting docks in 10 to 15 feet of water for deeper fish.”