May 4
Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-70s. Lake levels fluctuate daily.
The bass spawn is mostly in the rearview mirror on Lake Monticello, but tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that the majority of the fish on Lake Monticello have stayed in shallow to mid-depths and it’s only a slow progression through late spring/ early summer patterns.
Early in the morning there should continue to be a good topwater bite for several more weeks, and this is the one time of the year when Andy finds good surface action around points and along the bank. Pop-Rs and buzzbaits are good choices.
During the day large groups of fish can be found in about 10 feet of water off points before they head out to deeper summer haunts. Carolina rigs and shaky heads are the best ways to target them.
As the Lake Monticello catfish get into a solid pre-spawn feeding pattern this is one of the times when they are feeding the best, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that most of the of the fish are relatively shallow and trying to store up energy for the spawn. The biggest spawning month is usually June and so May can be a wide-open feeding binge.
The best pattern is to concentrate on the 10-20 foot depth range and fan-cast a bunch of baits at a variety of depths. Also don’t overlook pockets, especially pockets with cover like stumps, that can hold a lot of the fish that catfish want to eat.
With such abundant prey big Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky, and so the best bet is to have a variety of baits including gizzard shad, herring, white perch and bluegill.
In a few more weeks the free-line drifting bite will start, and there could already be some smaller fish starting to suspend that will eat.
April 21
Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-60s. Lake levels fluctuate daily.
After a massive bass spawn last week, tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that the majority of the fish on Lake Monticello are now in the post-spawn phase – minus a few stragglers. For about the next month there should be a really good topwater bite on Monticello, the one time of the year when Andy finds good surface action around points and along the bank. Pop-Rs and buzzbaits are good choices.
Post-spawn fish usually come in the same way they came out, and so large groups of fish will be hanging in about 10 feet of water off points before they head out to deeper summer haunts. Carolina rigs and shaky heads are the best ways to target them.
In the recent tournament on Lake Monticello Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the best catfish were caught anchoring off points, and even though the fish are still a good ways away from spawning they are up shallow feeding on a variety of prey. The best pattern is to concentrate on the 10-20 foot depth range and fan-cast a bunch of baits at a variety of depths. Also don’t overlook pockets, especially pockets with cover like stumps, that can hold a lot of the fish that catfish want to eat.
With such abundant prey big Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky, and so the best bet is to have a variety of baits including gizzard shad, herring, white perch and bluegill.
April 8
Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-60s. The lake is again more stained than normal after recent torrential rains. Lake levels fluctuate daily.
We are about a week out from the last new moon, and about a week out from the next full moon. Combined with some strange weather conditions this week this all seems to have had the effect of putting the bass between waves of the spawn, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that it’s hard to find fish in spawning pockets right now. Instead they seem to be concentrated on points in about 10 feet of water, and the best action has been coming working soft plastics slowly. A Carolina rig seems to be working the best.
By next weekend, especially if weather conditions stabilize, there should be another massive wave of spawning fish. Look for them in pockets and throw shakey heads, Senkos and floating worms.
From everything Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) has heard this week the best catfish are still being found shallow in the 10-20 foot range and the best pattern is fan-casting cut baits at a variety of depths off points, but with a tournament this weekend on Monticello he will know more next week.
Full report to follow on Monday.
April 1
Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-60s, depending on section of the lake, with the warmer water on the lower end near the power plant. The lake is still more stained than normal after recent rains. Lake levels fluctuate daily.
Water temperatures have cooled enough on Lake Monticello, at the right time, that tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports it will only have the effect of extending the bass spawn. If temperatures had cooled before fish got into spawning mode, or gotten very hot after they did, then it would have either postponed or shortened the spawn. But this will just prolong it, and for anglers who like to fish shallow this is ideal.
Fish are still in the pockets where they are spawning, and it’s pretty much a soft plastics bite. They have had the best luck with shakey head worms, but floating worms and Senkos should also work. To catch the biggest fish you may need to be sight-fishing, but there should also be some good females that are still moving around and searching.
The shallow bite forcatfish continues to improve, andCaptain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that from what he is seeing fish are getting very shallow and concentrating in the 10-20 foot range. Anchoring on long points that run out into the lake is the best pattern, especially if they have some stumps on them. There will also be some fish caught in pockets. The riprap at the dam will also hold some fish, but that bite usually comes on a little closer to the spawn.
Fan-cast your baits at different depths from as shallow as 5 feet out to as deep as 30 or so feet, and then narrow down the most productive range and put more baits there. Cut bream, gizzard shad and white perch will all work.
March 24
Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-60s, depending on section of the lake, with the warmer water on the lower end near the power plant. The lake is still more stained than normal after recent rains. Lake levels fluctuate daily.
The bass on Lake Monticello are right back where they are supposed to be, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that this week they have not found any bass in the staging areas where they were hanging out last week around the hard cold snap. Fish have gotten into the pockets where they are spawning, and it’s pretty much a soft plastics bite. They have had the best luck with shakey head worms, but floating worms and Senkos should also work.
It’s easy to catch fish right now on Monticello, but the hard part is getting a bigger bite. Andy speculates that the bigger females are locked onto beds and you need to be looking at them to catch them, but the days they could fish recently wind made it hard to sight-fish. Sight-fishing on Monticello Andy pretty much sticks to Senkos.
The shallow bite forcatfish continues to improve, andCaptain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that from what he is seeing fish are getting very shallow and concentrating in the 10-20 foot range. Anchoring on long points that run out into the lake is the best pattern, especially if they have some stumps on them. There will also be some fish caught in pockets. The riprap at the dam will also hold some fish, but that bite usually comes on a little closer to the spawn.
Fan-cast your baits at different depths from as shallow as 5 feet out to as deep as 30 or so feet, and then narrow down the most productive range and put more baits there. Cut bream, gizzard shad and white perch will all work.
March 17
Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures range from the upper 50s to lower 60s, depending on section of the lake, with the warmer water on the lower end near the power plant. The lake is more stained than normal after recent rains. Lake levels fluctuate daily.
The cold snap on Lake Monticello last weekend has set the bass back more than expected, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that – while there were still a few fish on beds at the beginning of this week – more of them were back to staging places. The fish were on points and the sides of points in about 15 feet of water, and covering water with Carolina rigs and medium-running crankbaits is the best way to catch them. Since the water is a bit more stained than usual that is helping the crankbait bite.
When the spawn is delayed like this it usually means that all the Monticello fish go in a couple of big waves, and that could happen in the next week or two. When that happens almost all the fish will usually be in spawning pockets or inside the points leading into them, and the bite will almost entirely be a soft plastics deal as they won’t want to chase baits. Floating worms, shakey heads and Senkos are all good for shallow fish. Sight-fishing for fish that are actually spawning Andy pretty much sticks to Senkos on the lake.
The shallow bite forcatfish continues to improve, andCaptain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports from what he is seeing fish are getting very shallow and concentrating in the 10-20 foot range. Anchoring on long points that run out into the lake is the best pattern, especially if they have some stumps on them. There will also be some fish caught in pockets. The riprap at the dam will also hold some fish, but that bite usually comes on a little closer to the spawn.
Fan-cast your baits at different depths from as shallow as 5 feet out to as deep as 30 or so feet, and then narrow down the most productive range and put more baits there. Cut bream, gizzard shad and white perch will all work.
March 10
Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the lower 60s and for now the lake is still pretty clear. Water levels fluctuate daily.
By now the bass on Lake Monticello are in full-on spawning mode, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that for the next several weeks he will exclusively be targeting spawning pockets that have fish spawning or very close to spawning. That’s almost entirely a soft plastics deal, and when fish get this close to spawning they usually don’t want to chase baits. Floating worms, shakey heads and Senkos are all good for shallow fish. Sight-fishing for fish that are actually spawning Andy pretty much sticks to Senkos on the lake.
While there is certainly a cold blast coming this weekend, Andy doesn’t believe it will push the fish out very much. Once they get this committed to bedding they usually will stay in the same areas even if temperatures drop.
The shallow bite forcatfish continues to improve, andCaptain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that he will be looking for fish mostly in the 15-20 foot range. Anchoring on long points that run out into the lake is the best pattern, especially if they have some stumps on them. There will also be some fish caught in pockets. The riprap at the dam will also hold some fish, but that bite usually comes on a little closer to the spawn.
Fan-cast your baits at different depths from as shallow as 5 feet out to as deep as 30 or so feet, and then narrow down the most productive range and put more baits there. Cut bream, gizzard shad and white perch will all work.
March 1
Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s and even low 60s, with some warmer water on the south end, and the lake is clear. Water levels fluctuate daily.
The bass on Lake Monticello are following a very normal spring trajectory, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that several early very warm fronts have (and will continue to) push everything forward. The deep bite has basically become nonexistent, more fish are staging, there are more fish roaming around in the shallows. By this weekend there should be some early fish on beds.
Staging fish on Monticello usually set up on secondary points in 5-15 feet of water, and since Lake Monticello doesn’t have creeks they are on areas just outside of spawning pockets or even points between two pockets. Crankbaits or worms fished on Carolina rigs or Texas rigs are good for these fish.
For shallow fish that are actually in spawning pockets a number of baits will all work, but Andy is usually mainly fishing soft plastics. On Monticello floating worms, shakey heads and Senkos are all good for shallow fish. Sight-fishing for fish that are actually spawning Andy pretty much sticks to Senkos on the lake.
The shallow bite forcatfish is also picking up, andCaptain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that he will be looking for fish mostly in the 15-20 foot range. Anchoring on long points that run out into the lake is the best pattern, especially if they have some stumps on them. There will also be some fish caught in pockets. The riprap at the dam will also hold some fish, but that bite usually comes on a little closer to the spawn.
Fan-cast your baits at different depths from as shallow as 5 feet out to as deep as 30 or so feet, and then narrow down the most productive range and put more baits there. Cut bream, gizzard shad and white perch will all work.
February 18
Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-50s, and the water is overall clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.
Because of the unique dynamics of the lake water temperatures are running warmer on Lake Monticello than other South Carolina lakes, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that as would be expected bass patterns are starting to change. 18 pounds won the last CATT tournament on the lake, but no one would be surprised if some very large pre-spawn bags start showing up soon.
There are still a few fish that can be caught out deep on Alabama rigs in 20-30 feet, but better numbers of fish are starting to stage on secondary points in 10-15 feet of water. Lake Monticello doesn’t have creeks but they will be found in areas just outside of spawning pockets or even points inside of two pockets. Crankbaits or worms fished on Carolina rigs or Texas rigs are all working.
Any time now there should also be some fish that will move very shallow and start to look for spawning locations. When this happens you can beat the bank with a floating worm or a shakey head.
Thecatfish patterns change more slowly than the bass patterns, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that there are still a lot of deep fish in 60-65 feet of water on ledges.
The best pattern is to put out a bunch of baits in areas where you mark fish and then wait. Perch and gizzard shad are out-fishing everything else.
Overall the bite has been fairly slow.
February 1
Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees or just below, and the water is overall clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.
It’s a transition time on Lake Monticello, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports there are a couple of different ways to catch bass right now. One productive pattern can be to fish from the bank out to 10/ 15 feet of water with a shallow running crankbait. The best bet is just to go down the bank and target rocky areas. Even though the fish are shallow they want access to deep water, so steeper areas are ideal, but they will not necessarily be on points. The main lake instead of pockets is the best area to run this pattern, and Carolina rigs will also work.
The other productive pattern is to fish the tail end of the deeper bite with a spoon or Alabama rig. Deep fish are still highly oriented to bait schools, and with the bass often hunkered very close to the bottom you may not be able to mark the fish – only bait. Be prepared to spend as much time looking for fish as actually fishing if you opt to go deep.
Channels, points, and steep drop-offs can all hold fish, and 25-40 feet is the most likely depth range. 30-35 feet is usually the key zone.
Andy also notes that an Alabama rig can work shallow, too.
It’s a time of year on Lake Monticello when you will often mark a ton of fish, but Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that not every day will they bite. In general they should be stacked up in 50-70 feet on ledges, and the best pattern is to put out bunch of baits in areas where you mark fish and patiently wait. Perch and gizzard shad are the best options.
It won’t be long until fish move into the shallows, but for right now the deep bite is still best.
January 20
Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s, and the water is overall clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.
For right now the bass fishing patterns remain about the same on Lake Monticello, and tournament bass angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that the best bet is fishing spoons around bait schools in 30-35 feet of water. Alabama rigs are also catching some good fish right now. Anglers should look around bait near channels, points, and steep drop-offs, but Andy still notes that on Monticello he never seems to catch much except for perch and catfish in areas where the birds are diving.
You can also fish a drop-shot when the bass seem finicky.
However, starting about anytime now – and almost always by the first of February – fish should move up to about the 10-foot range and stage on drops and points. They could be found from about 5-15 feet and they will be caught on Alabama rigs and Carolina rigs.
This is still a time when the catfishcannot be counted on to bite well every day on Lake Monticello, but Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that overall this is a pretty good time to catch blues on the lake. Still, don’t expect to catch a ton of fish every time you go out.
Right now the fish are holding pretty tight to ledges, and anchoring in 45-plus feet of water and putting out a bunch of baits at a range of depths is the best pattern. Perch and gizzard shad are out-fishing everything else.
January 6
Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the mid-50s, and the water is typically clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.
For reasons that are unclear Lake Monticello always fishes a little differently than other lakes, and tournament bass angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that recently out on the lake he has seen tons of birds feeding around bait. However, he never catches bass around the birds and this year has been no exception. Instead, he has caught a bunch of perch (catfish can also be found near the birds.)
However, that doesn’t mean the bass were not around bait and he found some good fish around bait schools in 35-45 feet of water. The bait and fish were within 5-10 feet of the bottom, and they wanted a spoon. An Alabama rig would probably also work but he has not fished it recently, and when the fish seem a little finicky right now Andy is turning to a drop shot. Channels, points, and steep drop-offs all remain good places to look.
Andy has also marked a lot of crappie recently but they seem very lethargic.
Thecatfish remain a little fickle on Lake Monticello, but Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that they are still catching some nice fish anchoring off deep points if you are patient. Gizzard shad and white perch are the baits of choice right now.
December 22
Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the mid- to upper-50s, and the water is clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.
The bass are still in a pretty consistent pattern on Lake Monticello, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that right now he is still exclusively fishing a spoon or Alabama rig. Part the way through January that pattern will change, but for now the bite remains very stable.
The fish are still highly oriented to bait schools, and with the bass often hunkered very close to the bottom you may not be able to mark them. Besides marking bait on your electronics, birds can also tip you off to where the bait is holding. Be prepared to spend as much time looking for fish as actually fishing.
Channels, points, and steep drop-offs can all hold fish, and 25-40 feet is the most likely depth range. 30-35 feet is usually the key zone.
The catfish bite remains pretty reliable Lake Monticello, even if the big fish eating better on some days than others, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the best results are coming anchoring in 40-55 feet of water. Early or late fish may as shallow as 25-30 feet. Humps, ledges and long points will all hold catfish, and gizzard shad and white perch are the bait of choice right now.
December 15
Lake Monticello water temperatures are still in the upper 50s, and the water is clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.
The bass are still in a pretty consistent pattern on Lake Monticello, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that right now he is still exclusively fishing a spoon or Alabama rig. Part the way through January that pattern will change, but for now the bite remains very stable.
The fish are still highly oriented to bait schools, and with the bass often hunkered very close to the bottom you may not be able to mark them. Besides marking bait on your electronics, birds can also tip you off to where the bait is holding. Be prepared to spend as much time looking for fish as actually fishing.
Channels, points, and steep drop-offs can all hold fish, and 25-40 feet is the most likely depth range. 30-35 feet is usually the key zone.
Thecatfish bite has gotten a little more predictable on Lake Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the best results are coming anchoring in 40-55 feet of water. Early or late fish may as shallow as 25-30 feet. Humps, ledges and long points will all hold catfish, and gizzard shad and white perch are the bait of choice right now.
December 2
Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the upper 50s, and the water is clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.
The bass have settled into a pretty consistent pattern on Lake Monticello, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that basically if he is on the lake right now he will be fishing a spoon or Alabama rig. Part the way through January that pattern will change, but for now the bite remains very stable.
The fish are still highly oriented to bait schools, and with the bass often hunkered very close to the bottom you may not be able to mark them. Besides marking bait on your electronics, birds can also tip you off to where the bait is holding. Be prepared to spend as much time looking for fish as actually fishing.
Channels, points, and steep drop-offs can all hold fish, and 25-40 feet is the most likely depth range. 30-35 feet is usually the key zone.
Thecatfish bite has been a little unpredictable on Lake Monticello, but Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that they have been catching some nice fish anchoring in 40-55 feet of water. Early or late fish may go shallower, as shallow as 25-30 feet. Humps, ledges and long points will all hold catfish, and gizzard shad and white perch are the bait of choice right now.
November 19
Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the lower 60s, and the water is typically clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.
With more cold weather on the way this weekend the cool weather patterns should get even stronger on Monticello, but tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that bass fishing on the lake is already all about spoons and Alabama rigs. From now until winter sets in Andy will be following bait more than looking for particular spots, which is one reason the Alabama rig fished deep can be a good complement to the spoon for covering water.
Birds are just arriving and will tip you off to where the bait is holding, but Andy also spends a lot of time idling around and graphing to see where the mega clouds of bait can be found. The bass can sometimes be so tight to the bottom that you can’t see them, but the bait will be visible.
Channels, points, and steep drop-offs can all hold fish, and 25-40 feet is the most likely depth range. 30-35 feet is usually the key zone. But most importantly remember that right now fish are on the move near bait.
It’s still the best time of the year to catch a bigcatfish on Lake Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that both anchoring and drifting are producing well. The best depth range to catch a giant is about 40-65 feet, and long points and humps close to deep water and timber are the best places to target.
White perch and gizzard shad are the best baits right now.
November 11
Lake Monticello water temperatures have dropped into the lower 60s, and the water is typically clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.
It’s the best time of the year to catch a bigcatfish on Lake Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that both anchoring and drifting are producing well. The best depth range to catch a giant is about 40-65 feet, and long points and humps close to deep water and timber are the best places to target.
White perch and gizzard shad are the best baits right now.
Last weekend’s cold snap has put water temperatures about right for this time of year, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that things are where they need to be for the deeper bass bite with spoons and Alabama rigs. From now until winter sets in Andy will be following bait more than looking for particular spots, which is one reason the Alabama rig fished deep can be a good complement to the spoon for covering water.
Birds are just arriving and will tip you off to where the bait is holding, but Andy also spends a lot of time idling around and graphing to see where the mega clouds of bait can be found. The bass can sometimes be so tight to the bottom that you can’t see them, but the bait will be visible.
Channels, points, and steep drop-offs can all hold fish, and 25-40 feet is the most likely depth range. 30-35 feet is usually the key zone. But most importantly remember that right now fish are on the move near bait.
November 5
Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the upper 60s, and the water is typically clear although stained around the banks with recent winds. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.
Warmer temperatures have the bassa little behind schedule on Lake Monticello, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that even though in mid-November he has usually settled into fishing a spoon and Alabama rig on Lake Monticello this year there was still a decent shallow topwater bite as of earlier this week. That should last until temperatures get into the lower 60s.
The deeper bite is also getting started, and from now until winter sets in Andy will be following bait more than looking for particular spots. This is one reason the Alabama rig fished deep can be a good complement to the spoon. Loons are just arriving and will tip you off to where the bait is holding, but Andy also spends a lot of time idling around and graphing to see where the mega clouds of bait can be found. The bass can sometimes be so tight to the bottom that you can’t see them, but the bait will be visible.
Channels, points, and steep drop-offs can all hold fish, and 25-40 feet is the most likely depth range. 30-35 feet is usually the key zone. But most importantly remember that right now fish are on the move.
Thecatfish bite continues to improve on Lake Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that this is the very best time of the year to catch a big fish. Anchoring or drifting in 40-65 feet is the best way to catch a giant, and long points and humps close to deep water and timber are the best places to target.
White perch and bream are the best baits right now.
October 20
Lake Monticello surface water temperatures have dropped to the mid-70s and the lake is relatively clear. Water levels fluctuate daily.
As water temperatures drop the Lake Monticello bass are starting to move deeper, and even though tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that you can still catch fish on something like an Alabama rig in the 15- foot range he is starting to switch over to fishing a spoon in deeper water.
In the summer and winter on Lake Monticello Andy will generally be fishing way points and checking particular spots, but the fall spoon bite is one time when he will be more interested in following bait than looking for particular spots. Loons can tip you off to where the bait is holding, but Andy will also spend a lot of time idling around and graphing to see where the mega clouds of bait can be found. The bass can sometimes be so tight to the bottom that you can’t see them, but the bait will be visible.
Channels, points, and steep drop-offs can all hold fish, and 25-40 feet is the most likely depth range. 30-35 feet is usually the key zone. At times fish will get up off the bottom when they are actively feeding, but sometimes they will hold tight to the lake bed.
The fall big fishcatfish bite is getting started on Lake Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that anchoring in 40-60 feet of water around long points and humps is the best pattern. A drift bite should be getting started soon, but for now fish seem to want anchored baits more. White perch, bream and gizzard shad are the best baits.
The free-line drifting bite is winding down for the season.
September 29
Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are around 80-82 degrees and the lake is still clear. Water levels fluctuate daily.
There’s not much change in the bass pattern on Lake Monticello, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that the fish are still following the bait as they transition between mid-depths of 10-15 feet and the 30-50 foot zone. Right now he advises checking mid-depth points and humps and fishing out to the deeper spots to see where bass can be found from day to day. Again, basically they are following the bait, and so if you locate the bait then bass should be close by.
Carolina rigs, crankbaits and drop shot rigs can all catch fish.
The fall bite for big catfish on Lake Monticello is picking up, but Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that patience is still required if you want to catch fish. The best way to target them is to anchor around points and humps in 50-60 feet of water, but the drift bite is also starting to pick up. Big, durable baits like gizzard shad are the best bet.
With water temperatures still in the upper 70s plenty of fish are still suspended and the free-line drifting bite remains good. This is an excellent way to target eating-sized blue cats since large numbers of smaller blues will continue to feed high in the water column over deep water as long as temperatures are hot. You can drift a variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels, and you might just catch a big one!
September 16
Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-80s and the lake is still clear. Water levels fluctuate daily.
As expected, tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that bass are following the bait as they transition between mid-depths of 10-15 feet and the 30-50 foot zone. Right now he advises checking mid-depth points and humps and fishing out to the deeper spots to see where bass can be found from day to day. Again, basically they are following the bait, and so if you locate the bait then bass should be close by.
Carolina rigs, crankbaits and drop shot rigs can all catch fish.
The fall bite for big catfish on Lake Monticello is picking up, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the best way to target them is to anchor around points and humps in 50-60 feet of water. It can also be worth starting to drift, because at some point that pattern will really turn on. Big, durable baits like gizzard shad are the best bet.
With water temperatures still very warm the free-line drifting bite is also still good. This is an excellent way to target eating-sized bluecats since large numbers of smaller blues will continue to feed high in the water column over deep water as long as temperatures are hot. You can drift a variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels, and you might just catch a big one!
To ready more about free line drifting on Monticello check out this article.
September 2
Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s, warmer on the lower end near the power plant, and the lake is still clear. Water levels fluctuate daily.
It’s another transition period on Lake Monticello for bass, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that as a result they can be particularly hard to locate in September. Through July they stay deep, but then in August they transition into mid-depths of 10-15 feet and get finicky. By October they will be in some of the deepest locations of the year, including 40-50 foot holes, and so in September it’s worth checking the mid-depth points and humps as well as the deeper spots – and everything in between. At some point this month they will be making their move deeper.
Carolina rigs, crankbaits and drop shot rigs can all catch fish.
The hot fall bite for big catfish on Lake Monticello is still just around the corner, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the best way to target them is to anchor around points and humps in 50-60 feet of water. It can also be worth starting to drift, because at some point that pattern will really turn on. Big, durable baits like gizzard shad are the best bet.
With water temperatures still very warm the free-line drifting bite is still good. This is an excellent way to target eating-sized bluecats since large numbers of smaller blues will continue to feed high in the water column over deep water as long as temperatures are hot. You can drift a variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels, and you might just catch a big one!
To ready more about free line drifting on Monticello check out this article.
