West Point Lake Fishing Report – May 2019

West Point: Level: 2.2 feet below full pool. Temp: 72 degrees. Clarity: Stained up the lake.

Bass: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “After the high muddy water in late April, expect the shallow water fishing to remain good as the lake clears but still has a little color to it. Largemouth are being caught on several different patterns. Topwater baits such as Popping Frogs, Pop Rs, Zara Spooks and buzzbaits can be extremely effective for shallow and aggressive fish, especially around bream beds. The second pattern that works really well is to look for spawning shad. Try fishing rip-rap around bridges with spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and Zoom Super Flukes. Expect a mixed bag of fish including bass and stripers to be feeding on the shad. An early start is imperative as the best bite is almost always over about an hour or so after sunrise. Additionally, some big tournament sacks of largemouth are still being weighed in by guys who sight fish, targeting fish that are locked on bed or guarding fry. This can be an aggravating way to fish but can pay off in a tournament win. Lots of spotted bass are caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with shaky-tail worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse Worm or Mini Lizard around sloping gravel banks. These tactics normally work very well for numbers.”

Linesides: Excellent. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Spawned out hybrids and stripes show back up down lake in May. Expect the downline bite on live bait to be awesome. Some fish have usually started surface schooling in May on the main lake and can be caught on small crankbaits, topwaters, popping-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures.”

Crappie: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Spawned out fish will typically move out and hold on deeper brush and structure  or under docks for a while to recover. Night fishing should also improve in May.”

Bream: Good. “Don’t forget about our bream and shellcracker,” said guide Keith Hudson. “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 cycles in 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: Good. “Lots of channel cat are caught every April by anglers who are targeting linesides,” Keith Hudson said. “The same live and cut baits, 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 flathead catfish in the 20- to 30-lb. range are common.”