West Point Lake Fishing Report – September 2017

West Point: Level: 0.1 feet above full pool. Temp: Upper 80s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “As the days start to get a little shorter and the temps cool just a little, expect a slow improvement in the West Point bass fishing. Largemouth are still being caught on deeper brushpiles, ledges and roadbeds, basically holding to a summer pattern. Try big deep-diving crankbaits or Texas-rigged Ol’ Monster worms. The best fishing is around brushpiles in these areas. Water generation always improves this bite. Downsize baits in these same areas to improve your chances for spotted bass. With the unusually high water from this summer’s rains, some West Point bass remain shallow, and this pattern should improve as the water cools. Topwater baits such as Whopper Ploppers, Zara Spooks and Spro Poppin frogs can still be effective for shallow fish, especially around grass and weedbeds. Try targeting areas north of the Highway 219 bridge in the Chattahoochee. Also, have a jig handy to pitch into wood cover in these same areas. The spotted bass bite is slower than normal, but it is still fairly consistent. Spotted bass are still your best bet. Spots are being caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Zoom Shakey Tail worms, or just by dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse worm or Mini Lizard around sloping gravel banks. Also try a small Texas-rigged worm or a jig fished around and in the blowdowns. Try fishing around the bridges and bridge pilings with  small crankbaits and Tommyhead jigs, especially during periods of water generation.”

Linesides: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Hybrids and stripes are still down the lake in good numbers. Expect the downline  bite on live bait to continue to be at least OK. As we move toward early fall, some fish are  surface schooling on the main lake and can be caught on Rooster Tails, topwaters, popping-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures. Trolling with crankbaits is also fairly effective. Try old faithful—the railroad trestle hump—and the humps out from Amity Park for good results.”

Crappie: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “The West Point crappie have moved out and are holding on deeper brush and structure or under docks in their summertime pattern. Try drop-shotting minnows or shooting docks near deep water for the best results. Some fish will start to move a little shallower as the water slowly cools later in September. Minnows fished under a float will usually work on them when you find them. Night fishing is still pretty good. Try under the bridges with lights.”

Catfish: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Lots of channel cat can be caught. Live and cut baits—and worms of course—fished on bottom will catch cats all over the lake, as long as fairly deep water is nearby. Jug fishing is also 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 West Point catfish in the 20- to 30-lb. range are fairly common.”