West Point Lake Fishing Report – October 2017

West Point: Level: 0.8 feet low. Temp: Low 80s. Clarity: Clear on the south end; slightly stained up the lake.

Bass: Slow. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “As the days get shorter and the temps cool, expect a big improvement in the fishing. With the unusually high water from the hurricane rains, good numbers of fish are already shallow, and this pattern should only improve as the water cools. Topwater baits such as buzzbaits, Whopper Ploppers, Zara Spooks and Spro Poppin Frogs are effective for shallow fish, especially around shallow brush, grassbeds and weeds. Try targeting areas north of the 219 bridge in the Chattahoochee. Also have a jig handy to pitch into wood cover in these same areas. Slower than normal, but still fairly consistent, the spotted bass are still your best bet for numbers. Spots are being caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Zoom Shakey Head worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom finesse worm or mini lizard around sloping gravel banks. Also try a small Texas-rigged worm or a jig ’n pig around blowdowns. Try fishing around the bridges and bridge pilings with small crankbaits and Tommyhead rigs, especially during periods of water generation.”

Linesides: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Hybrids and stripes are down the lake in good numbers. Expect the downline bite on live bait to continue to improve drastically as the water cools and we move on into fall. The usual humps and drop-offs should produce. Some fish are on the surface schooling on the main lake and can be caught on Rooster Tails, topwaters plugs, popping-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures. Trolling with crankbaits is also fairly effective.”

Crappie: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Some West Point crappie have already started to move shallower. Target blowdowns and brushpiles in 3 to 8 feet of water. I like the cuts and coves north of Highland Marina this time of year. Jigs or minnows fished under a float will usually work on these fish when you find them. Some crappie still tend to move out and hold on deeper brush and other structures or under deeper docks. Try drop-shotting minnows or shooting docks in 10 to 15 feet of water for good results on these deeper fish.”