West Point Lake Fishing Report – September 2019

West Point: Level: 0.7 feet below full pool. Temp: Mid 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 bass fishing at West Point. A few largemouth and spotted bass are still being caught on deeper brushpiles, ledges and roadbeds in the main-lake area, basically holding to a summer pattern. Try big deep-diving crankbaits or Texas-rigged Ol’ Monster worms. Also, drop-shotting can be effective in these areas. The best fishing is around brushpiles or other structure in these areas, if you can find them. Water generation always improves this main-lake bite. Downsize baits in these same areas and improve your chances for spotted bass. A few fish will remain shallow, and the shallow pattern should improve as the water cools. Topwater baits such as Rebel Pop-Rs, Zara Spooks and Spro Poppin’ frogs can still be effective for shallow bass, especially around grassbeds and weeds. Try targeting the mouths of feeder creeks 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, are the spotted bass on West Point. Spots are still your best bet on the south end of the lake and can be caught  on Spot Remover jig heads loaded with Zoom Shakey Tail worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse worm or mini Lizard around shoal markers. Also try a small Texas-rigged worm or a jig ’n pig around blowdown trees. Actively schooling groups of bass will also hit the Flash Mob Jr. rig, a personal favorite in the early fall.”

Linesides: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “It has been a good summer for schooling topwater action on the main lake. I expect surface schooling on the main lake at some point this fall to improve again. These fish can be caught on Rooster Tails, topwater, popping-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures. Fish early or stay late in the day for the best results. Cloudy calm days are usually best. Expect the downline bite on live bait to continue to improve as we move toward early fall. Trolling with a crankbait/bucktail jig combo should also continue to be fairly effective. Try old faithful areas like the Railroad Trestle Hump and the humps out from Amity Park for good results.”

Crappie: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “The crappie at West Point will typically move out and hold on deeper brush and structure or under docks until the water temps drop into the low 70s or so. Try drop-shotting minnows or shooting docks in 10 to 15 feet of water for the best results. You can really do well if you find  one of these schools. Try the cuts and coves in Yellow Jacket Creek and from Highland Marina north to Wolf Creek in the Chattahoochee. Some fish will start to move a little shallower as the water cools, maybe by the end of September. Minnows fished under floats will work on these shallower crappie when you find them. Any blowdown near deep water is a good starting point for fish moving shallow. Night fishing is still pretty good. Try under the bridges with lights.”