West Point Lake Fishing Reports – July 2021

West Point: Level: Level: 0.1 feet low. Temp: Upper 80s. Clarity: Stained but clearing down the lake.

Bass: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “In July, we move to the typical summer patterns for West Point. Some largemouth are starting to show up on deeper brush piles and roadbeds as the water warms and drops a little. Best fishing is around brushpiles or cover even in these areas. Try deep-diving crankbaits or Texas-rigged Ol Monster worms. Topwater baits, such as Pop-Rs, Zara Spooks and buzzbaits can still be effective for shallow fish, especially around bream beds. Some largemouth are still being weighed in by guys who sight fish, targeting bass that are around these beds feeding on the bream. Spotted bass and some largemouth are being caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Zoom Speed Craws or dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse or Trick Worms around sloping gravel banks and shoal marker poles. Also try a small Texas-rigged worm or a pig ’n jig around any fairly deep blowdowns. Try fishing around the bridges and bridge pilings with small crankbaits and shaky-head rigs, especially during periods of water generation. All summer, you can almost always expect the fishing for all species to be better during the time when they are generating power at the dam.”

Linesides: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Hybrid, white and striped bass are down lake now in good numbers. Expect the downline bite on live bait to continue to be at least OK, throughout the summer. Some smaller fish are starting surface schooling on the south end of the lake and can be caught on Roostertails, topwaters, popping-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures. Another big shad hatch this year bodes well for the topwater bite. Trolling with crankbaits or the Flash Mob Jr. is also fairly effective and can help keep you cool on a hot day!”

Crappie: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Spawned out fish will typically move out and hold on deeper brush and structure or under docks. Try dropshotting minnows or shooting docks near deep water for the best results. Night fishing is usually pretty good all summer. Try under the bridges with lights.”

Bream: Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Some really nice bluegill are still bedding during the summer months. Finding an active bed can take a little effort, but when you do, you can have a ball! Bedding usually takes place leading up to the full moon cycles in the summer. Look for shallow cover in the backs of pockets. Sandy flats with some stump beds tend to draw the fish like a magnet. Use live pink worms, crickets and small jigs.”