West Point Lake Fishing Report – February 2024

West Point: Level: 6 feet below 635. North of Highway 219 is dangerous, so be careful if you choose to go up. Temp: Upper 40s to mid 50s. Clarity: Stained from the rains.

Bass: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Fair. After a super slow bite for bass in January, hopefully we turn the corner in February. Stained water and rocks warm quickly when the sun is out. Bass will seek out warmer water and baitfish/crawfish that are really shallow in the warmer water or around the chunk rocks. A few degrees can make a difference. In the stained water, lures of choice are crawfish color No. 5 and 7 Shad Raps and other small cranks. Red lipless vibrating-type baits (Rat-L-Trap), ChatterBaits and white/white spinnerbaits. The Whitewater/Turkey creeks area seems to always be one of the first to turn on after a colder-than-normal winter, but other creeks can be good, as well. If we do have a quick warm up with warm rain run-off  in February, I really expect the fishing to get much better quickly.”

Linesides: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Fair. The big rains and cold temps that we had in January really slowed down the striper/hybrid bite. Some fish are still being caught on the lake trolling Flash Mob Rigs. The mouths  of Yellowjacket and Maple creeks have probably been the two best areas. A few really nice-sized stripers are being caught on big baits upriver. Try cut or live gizzard shad or bream in the Ringer to Potato creek area. Don’t be surprised if you hit a big cat, as well. Big bites are pretty slow, so don’t expect a lot of action, but you might get a 20-lb. plus with this technique. The usual good spoon fishing was slow this year due to the heavy stain all the way to the dam. Some hybrids usually start the spawning run in February, and that could happen by the end of the month.”

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Crappie: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Good. In most years, a warm rain in February will turn the crappie bite on big time. Fishing with minnows or jigs 3 to 4 feet under a float will catch them when they decide to move up. Just look for any kind of cover. The bank fishing can be just as good as fishing from a boat. In most years, the smaller creeks north of 219 turn on first. Whitewater and Turkey creeks also produce a good early bite in most years. Other techniques will work, as well. Guys who spider troll Jiffy Jigs do really well this time of year. Troll old creek channels near standing timber, around bridge pilings, over brushpiles and near blowdowns in 10 to 15 feet of water in most creeks. You can’t beat crappie on the dinner table either. Time to start filling that freezer.”