West Point Lake Fishing Report May 2017

West Point: Level: 2 feet below full pool. Temp: Upper 60s to low 70s. Clarity: Mostly clear.

Bass: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Largemouth  are being  caught on several different patterns. Topwater baits such as Pop-Rs, Zara Spooks and buzzbaits can be extremely effective for shallow and aggressive  fish, especially around bream beds. 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. Additionally, some big tournament sacks of largemouth are still being weighed-in by guys who sight fish, targeting bass that are locked on bed. This can be an aggravating way to fish, but it can pay off in a tournament win. Lots of spotted bass are caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Shaky Tail worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom Finesse worm or mini lizard around sloping gravel banks. These tactics normally work very well for numbers.”

Linesides: Excellent. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Spawned-out hybrids and stripes show back up down the lake in May. Expect the downline bite on live bait to be awesome! Some fish starting surface schooling on the main lake and can be caught on small crankbaits, topwaters, popping-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures.”

Crappie: Fair. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Spawned out crappie will typically move out and hold on deeper brush and structure or under docks for a while to recover. Night fishing should also improve in May.”

Bream: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Finding an active bed can take a little effort, but when you do, you can have a ball. Bedding usually takes place on the full moon cycles in May. Look for shallow cover in the backs of pockets. Sandy flats and stump beds tend to draw the bream like magnets. Use live pink worms, crickets and small jigs for the best results.”

Catfish: Good. Guide Keith Hudson reports, “Lots of channel cats are being caught by the few anglers who target them. Live and cut baits—and worms of course—fished on the bottom will catch catfish 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 live bait, like a 4- to 5-inch bream or a large shiner, and fish the same areas. Be sure to increase the size of your rigs, as flathead catfish in the 20- to 30-lb. range are fairly common at West Point.”