West Point Lake Fishing Reports – April 2024

West Point: Level: 3.2 feet below 635. Temp: Mid 60s to low 70s. Clarity: Stained pretty much all over the lake.

Bass: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Good. Bass can be caught on several different patterns during April. You can try working the backs of pockets with topwater baits, such as Pop-Rs, Zara Spooks and buzzbaits. This can be extremely effective for shallow and aggressive prespawn and spawning fish, and everyone loves catching fish on top! The second pattern that works really well is to look for spawning shad. Try fishing rip-rap around bridges with spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and Zoom Super Flukes. You need to be there early in the morning for the best chance at this being an effective pattern. Another tactic that pays off with some big sacks of largemouth in April is targeting fish that are locked on bed. A Senko or merthiolate Trick Worm rigged weightless will do the trick. Sometimes it takes patience to catch a bedding fish, but a lot of tournaments get won this way. Lots of spotted bass spawn in April and are caught  by just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse worm or lizard around sloping gravel banks, especially on the south end of the lake. This tactic normally works very well for numbers. April is usually my favorite month for all types of fishing in general. The weather is usually beautiful and fairly consistent.”

Linesides: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Excellent. Expect a strong river run from the hybrids and white bass this year until at least mid April. The hybrids have made a big comeback since the DNR has been stocking them again for the past several years. Many of these fish are mature enough this year to guarantee a big run. Try live or cutbait (even chicken livers will work at times) fished in holes from Grayson’s Landing to Franklin. Spray your bait with garlic scent for more bites. They can also be caught on curly tail grubs cast into the mouths of little feeder creeks up the river. Some fish remain down on the main lake, as well, and can be caught on small crankbaits, topwaters and Storm Swim Shad lures. Try the rip-rap around the bridges at daylight. The shad spawn should start soon. By the end of April, spawned-out fish start showing back up down the lake and are eager to hit downlined live baits.”

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Crappie, Bream & Catfish: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Crappie are good. After an unusually cold March, there should be a good second wave of crappie coming up in early to mid April to spawn. During April, crappie can be in all stages of the spawning process. Crappie can be easier to catch in slightly stained water, especially if you have shallow brush, blowdowns or chunk rock structure. Cuts and coves north of Highland Marina seem to get really good in April. Try casting small jigs under a float or minnows under a float. Spawned-out fish will typically move out and hold on deeper structure for a while to recover. Night fishing should also improve in late April. Don’t forget about our bream and shellcracker for the next few months. Finding an active bed can take a little effort, but when you do, you can have a ball. West Point has turned into a really good lake for some big shellcracker in the past few years. Bedding usually takes place on the full-moon cycles in April and 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 pink worms, crickets and small jigs for the best results. The overlooked but dependable catfish can show up about anywhere. Lots of cats are caught every year by anglers who are targeting linesides. The same live and cutbaits (as well as pink worms and liver) that are used on stripers will catch cats, especially in the river north of 219. To target flatheads, go to a larger bait, like a 4- to 5-inch bream, 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.”