West Point Lake

 Fishing Report

 

 

February 12 – Warm Front With 70 Degree Days

Report by NOEoutdoors

 

West Point is responding fast to this stretch of low to mid 70 degree air temps. Surface temps are climbing into the upper 40s and low 50s, and stained water in the upper river and creek arms is warming even quicker by late afternoon.

 

This lake sets up well for prespawn movement during warm trends. Fish are positioning along channel swings, red clay banks, and shallow cover routes leading into spawning pockets. They are not fully locked shallow yet, but the afternoon bite is real.

 

 

 

 

Bass Report

 

 

Largemouth are beginning to slide toward spawning areas, especially in stained sections. Spotted bass are holding more on points and deeper rock.

 

Where to focus

 

• Secondary points inside creeks

• Red clay banks with rock transitions

• Channel swings touching shallow flats

• Ditches running through pockets

 

 

On 70 degree afternoons, expect some fish to move into 3 to 6 feet of water in stained creeks, especially with wind.

 

What’s working

 

• Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits on wind blown clay banks

• Squarebills in stained water during peak sun

• Jerkbaits on main lake and secondary points

• Jigs around shallow wood and dock posts

• Alabama rigs over 10 to 20 feet where bait is present

 

 

The strongest window has been mid afternoon through sunset.

 

 

 

 

Crappie Report

 

 

West Point crappie are staging and starting to push shallower during the warmest hours.

 

Where they are

 

• Brush piles in 8 to 15 feet

• Docks near channel swings

• Flats in the backs of creeks with nearby depth

 

 

In stained water, fish are sliding into 5 to 10 feet late in the day.

 

Best approach

 

• Vertical fish minnows over brush

• Shoot docks in protected coves

• Slow troll small jigs along channel edges to establish depth

 

 

Once you locate the depth range, repeat it in similar creek arms.

 

 

 

 

Hybrid and Striper Report

 

 

West Point hybrids are active during this warm stretch and feeding around bait concentrations.

 

Where to look

 

• Major creek mouths

• Channel edges in 20 to 40 feet

• Wind blown points with suspended bait

 

 

If you are not marking bait on electronics, keep moving. These fish roam.

 

What’s producing

 

• Free-lines and planer boards with live bait

• Downlines over suspended schools

• Casting swimbaits or bucktails into breaking fish

 

 

Late afternoon has been the strongest feeding window when bait rises slightly in the water column.

 

 

 

 

Three Tips That Will Work On West Point Right Now

 

 

1. Target stained water and red clay in the afternoon. It warms faster and activates prespawn fish.

2. Focus on staging routes such as secondary points and channel swings rather than the extreme backs of pockets.

3. Fish the warmest hours aggressively. The 70 degree days are creating short but strong feeding windows from early afternoon through sunset.

 

 

This is a prespawn acceleration pattern. If the warm weather continues, expect fish to keep sliding shallower. If a cold snap hits, they will reposition to the first drop and hold tight.