West Point Lake Fishing Report – May 2022

West Point: Level: Approaching full pool. Temp: 70s to low 80s. Clarity: Clear on most of the lake.

Bass: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Largemouth are being caught on several different patterns. Topwater baits such as Pop-Rs, Zara Spooks and buzzbaits can be extremely effective for shallow and aggressive fish, especially around bream beds. A second pattern that works really well is to look for spawning shad and blueback herring. The herring population seems to have exploded this year. Try fishing rip-rap around bridges with spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and Zoom Super Flukes. Additionally, some big tournament sacks of largemouth are still being weighed in by guys who sight fish, targeting fish that are locked on bed. This can be an aggravating way to fish but can pay off. Try an unweighted merthiolate Zoom Trick Worm or an unweighted Zlinky. One other pattern is to look for fresh blowdowns with the leaves still on them. Try a jerkbait or Zoom Super Fluke worked around the outer limbs. Lots of spotted bass are caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Ultravibe 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: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Excellent. 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 started schooling on the main lake and can be caught on small crankbaits, topwaters, popping cork rigs and Gotcha Swim Shad lures. Also fish can be caught trolling.” 

Crappie: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Good. Spawned out fish will typically move out and hold on deeper brush and structure or under docks for a while to recover. Shooting or pitching under the shade of cover docks or on bridge pilings is the way to go. The crappie almost always like the shade on a sunny day. Night fishing is usually awesome in May, as well!” 

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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 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 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 of course) 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 and Grayson’s Landing area north of the 219 bridge in the Chattahoochee and the mouth of the smaller feeder creeks in that vicinity.”