West Point Lake Fishing Report June 2018

West Point: Level: 0.4 feet above full. Temp: Mid 70s. Clarity: Moderate stain.

Bass: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “With the late May rains, the lake has remained at full pool and is still reasonably cool. Topwater baits such as Chug Bugs, Whopper Ploppers, Senkos and buzzbaits can be effective for shallow and aggressive postspawn fish, especially around bream beds. Some of the better tournament sacks of largemouth are still being weighed-in by guys who sight fish, targeting bass that are around these beds feeding on the bream. Early in the month and first thing in the morning, try fishing rip-rap around bridges with spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and Senko rigs, as there is still a light shad spawn happening. Pitching jigs into mid-depth blowdowns and wood cover also is a great pattern this time of year. Later in the month, some bass should start showing up on deeper brushpiles and roadbeds as the water warms and lake level drops a little. Try deep-running crankbaits like the Fat Free Shad, or fish a Texas-rigged Ol’ Monster worm. Some spotted bass are still being caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Zoom Shakey Tail worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom finesse worm or mini lizard around sloping gravel banks.”

Linesides: Excellent. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Spawned-out hybrids, stripes and white bass have shown up  back down lake in big numbers. Expect the downline bite on live bait to stay good throughout June. Also, some fish have started surface schooling on the main lake and can be caught casting crankbaits, topwaters, popping-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures. Best times for this schooling activity is early or late or on overcast days. Trolling for stripers will also improve in June as the water warms.”

Crappie: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Spawned-out West Point crappie will typically move out and hold on deeper brush and structure or under docks. Try drop-shotting minnows or shooting docks for the best results. If you are good at casting to or shooting docks, you can still do well. Night fishing is usually really good in June, and you can beat the heat by fishing after the sun goes down.”

Bream: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Finding an active bed can take a little effort, but when you do, you can have a ball catching bluegill and shellcracker. Bedding takes place on the full moon cycles in June. 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.”

Catfish: Excellent. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “For channel catfish, use live and cut baits worms fished on bottom. You can catch channel cats all over the lake if fairly deep water is nearby. To target flatheads, go to a larger bait like a 4- to 5-inch bream or large shiner and fish the same areas. Increase the size of your rigs for flatheads in the 20- to 30-lb. range.”