West Point Lake Fishing Report – September 2022

West Point: Level: 0.2 feet below 635. Temp: Mid 80s. Clarity: Stained a little north of Wolf Creek and mostly clear on the lower 75% of the lake.

Bass: 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. A few largemouth and spots are still being caught on deeper brushpiles, ledges and roadbeds in the main-lake area, basically holding more to a summer pattern. Try big, deep-diving crankbaits or Texas-rigged Ole Monster worms. Also fishing a drop shot can be effective in these areas. Best fishing is around brushpiles or other structure in these areas, if you can find them. Water generation always improves this bite. Downsize baits in these same areas and improve your chances for spotted bass. With the unusually high water from this summer’s rains, some fish choose to remain shallow, and this pattern should improve as the water cools and we move toward fall. Topwater baits such as flukes, Whopper Ploppers and popping frogs can still be effective for shallow fish, especially around grass and weedbeds. 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, spotted bass are still your best bet on the south end of the lake. Spots are being caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Zoom Finesse worms at bridge pilings or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse worm around  shoal markers. Also, try a small Texas-rigged worm or a jig around blowdown trees. Actively schooling groups of fish will also hit the Flash Mob Jr. rig, a personal favorite in the early fall.”

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Linesides: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Fair. It has been a mostly disappointing summer in general for schooling topwater action on the main lake. I still expect surface schooling on the main lake at some point this fall. These fish can generally be caught on RoosterTails, topwaters, popping-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures. Start early or stay late for the best results. Expect the downline bite on live bait to continue to improve  as we move toward early fall. Trolling with crankbaits and bucktails 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: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Fair. The fish 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 slowly cools, maybe by the end of the month. Minnows fished under a float will usually work on them when you find them. Any blowdown near deep water is a good starting point. Night fishing is still pretty good. Try under the bridges with lights.”    

Catfish: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Good. Lots of channel cats are being caught. Live and cutbaits and worms 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 deeper channels north of the 219 bridge. Be sure to increase the size of your rigs as fish in the 20- to 30-lb. range are fairly common.”