West Point Lake Fishing Report – July 2022

West Point: Level: 1 foot below 635. Temp: Upper 80s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Fair. There are a few different patterns working right now. Topwater baits such as Whopper Ploppers, buzzbaits and Zoom Horny Toads can be effective for shallow and aggressive fish, especially around bream beds and shallow cover and grass. A second pattern that works really well is to look for schools of blueback herring on the surface. The herring population seems to have exploded this year. So, I would expect many of the tactics that Lanier anglers use to catch open-water fish to really come into play over the next couple years. Try fishing open water with topwater lures and Zoom Super Flukes. Another working pattern is to concentrate on  docks and blowdowns. Try an unweighted merthiolate Zoom Trick Worm or an unweighted Zlinky or Senko-type bait or a jig ’n pig around this type of cover. Water generation can play a factor in improving the bite as the water warms up, so if you have the option, base your trips to the lake around that when possible. Some fish can be still be caught deep on old roadbeds in brushpiles, as well. Lots of spotted bass are caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Ultra Vibe Speed Craws or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse worm or Mini Lizard around sloping gravel banks or around the many shoal marker poles scattered around the lake.”  

Linesides: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Good. Spawned-out hybrids and stripes are back down the lake in July. Expect the downline  bite on live bait to be decent throughout the month. The linesides have started schooling a little on the main lake and can be caught on Rooster Tails, popping-cork rigs and Got-Cha Shad lures. Also fish can be caught trolling with the Flash Mob Jr. or the West Point trolling rig.”  

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Crappie: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Good. Crappie like deeper water in the summer and will typically move out and hold on deeper brush and structure or under docks. Shooting or pitching under the shade of covered docks or around bridge pilings is the way to go. Tube-type jigs seem to work the best. The crappie almost always like the shade on a sunny day. Night fishing is usually awesome in July, as well!” 

Bream:  Guide Keith Hudson reports, Good. Don’t forget about our bream and shellcracker. The shellcracker population over the last few years has exploded with some really nice-sized fish and good numbers being caught. They seem to really love worms fished on the bottom. 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 cycle in July. Look for shallow cover in the backs of pockets. Sandy flats and stump beds tend to draw the fish like a magnet. Use live worms, crickets and small jigs for the best results.”  

Catfish: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Good. Lots of channel cats are being caught by the few anglers who target them. Live and cutbaits and worms fished on the bottom will catch cats all over the lake, as long as fairly deep water is nearby. Jug fishing is also fun and productive. To target flatheads, go to a larger bait, like a 4- to 5-inch bream or large shiner, 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. Most of the big flatheads are caught in the Ringer/Grayson’s Landing area north of the 219 bridge in the Chattahoochee and the mouth of the smaller feeder creeks in that vicinity.”