NOEoutdoors Fishing Report West Point Lake

December 5th

 

West Point is in its early winter groove. Water temps are dropping, the lake has a good stain in several creeks, and the bait is shifting into predictable areas. This is the time of year when you can catch fish shallow early and then slide out to deeper structure once the sun gets up. Here’s what’s happening with bass, stripers, and crappie.

 

Largemouth and Spotted Bass

 

Bass fishing has been steady. The stained water up the lake is helping the shallow bite, while the clearer water down the lake is pushing the spots deeper.

 

What’s working:

• Slow dragging finesse presentations along creek channel swings and points.

• Vertical fishing in 15 to 30 feet when bait stacks deeper.

• A slow-moving bait around docks, rock, and wood in the stained sections.

 

Largemouth are hitting early in the backs of pockets, especially where wind pushes in. Spots are holding around bait in clearer water near the dam and main lake humps.

 

Three bass tips for early December:

    1.    Hit the stained water early. That’s your best largemouth shot.

    2.    By mid-morning, commit to deeper water and follow the bait.

    3.    Slow your retrieve and let the fish come to you.

 

Stripers and Hybrids

 

Stripers and hybrids are roaming the mid-lake section and pushing bait into pockets. They’re shifting depth constantly, so you have to stay flexible.

 

What’s working:

• Pulling live offerings at mixed depths around bait schools.

• Casting metal-style lures into short surface flurries.

• Dropping vertical presentations when you mark tight groups in deeper water.

 

Birds are giving away most of the action. If gulls start circling heavy, head that direction.

 

Three striper tips for early December:

    1.    Don’t stay in one creek too long. These fish move fast on West Point.

    2.    Work both shallow and deep lines until you figure out their level.

    3.    Follow the bait. You won’t catch fish away from it this time of year.

 

Crappie

 

Crappie fishing is good and consistent. Fish are holding on brush, docks, and bridge pilings in 8 to 15 feet. Stained water is helping keep them active.

 

What’s working:

• Hovering small jigs above brush with minimal movement.

• Dropping minnows right over the tops of the piles.

• Casting light jigs and letting them pendulum through the strike zone.

 

The best bite this week has been late morning through early afternoon.

 

Three crappie tips for early December:

    1.    Brush near creek channels is holding the best fish.

    2.    Keep your bait above the fish, not buried in the cover.

    3.    Slide around the brush if the bite slows. Sometimes moving five feet makes the difference.