July 21

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.

We are entering a tougher period with the bass fishing on Lake Monticello, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that fishing is a bit of a grind. The fish are in the same locations in 20-25 feet of water around depth changes including points and humps and ridges, and by now you generally need a finesse-oriented presentation to catch them. Drop shots and shakey heads are usually the best approach. 

There can be a decent topwater bite early and late, usually fishing topwater lures around points.  The riprap wall along the dam can also hold fish. 

While they won’t be going all the way to the banks, the next move the fish will make will be when they transition shallower into the 10-15 foot range. This usually happens in August, and then the fish will probably stay there until temperatures really cool off. 

As it should be until temperatures start to cool off, the Lake Monticello free-line drifting bite is still really good for numbers of bluecatfish.  Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that plenty of eating-sized blues remain suspended high in the water column over deep water where they are feeding. You can drift a variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels. 

While you could certainly catch a big one free-line drifting, the best pattern for targeting large fish remains to fish a lot of rods and fan-cast baits at a variety of depths from the bank out to 30 feet around long points and underwater humps. White perch and bream are the preferred baits right now, but herring and gizzard shad will also work.

In a couple of weeks when the spawn is completely finished many of the bigger fish will start to move to move out to deeper water, from 40-50 feet on out.  This can usher in one of the best periods of the year on Monticello – the fall deep drifting bite.

July 1

Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s and the lake is clear. Water levels fluctuate daily.

The bass fishing is still good on Lake Monticello, but tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that – as you would expect in the summer – the bite is better first thing and in the evenings. Additionally, a mid-depth pattern has been pretty strong the last week and instead of just catching fish on deep depth changes they are also biting well on cover including stumps, rocks and brush in the 10-20 foot range. This is almost exclusively a soft plastic bite with Texas rigs and shakey heads. 

There are also fish on true offshore spots, and Andy still thinks the biggest fish are in 20-30 feet of water around depth changes, including points and humps and ridges. The three baits that Andy will start off throwing are a crankbait, a spoon and a big worm like an Ole Monster. However, there are some periods when they want something more subtle like a drop shot and a small worm. 

There is still a sporadic topwater bite shallow.

The free-line drift fishing forcatfish continues to be strong, andCaptain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that plenty of eating-sized blues are suspended high in the water column over deep water and they are hungry. You can easily catch a cooler full of fish up to about five pounds, and there is certainly the chance for a big one. A variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work. 

Many of the biggest fish are still focused on the spawn, but with some of the better fish starting to come off of beds the chances of catching a good one are going up again.  The best pattern for targeting large fish remains to fish a lot of rods and fan-cast baits at a variety of depths from the bank out to 30 feet around long points and underwater humps.  White perch and bream are the preferred baits for big fish right now, but herring and gizzard shad will also work.

June 23

Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the middle to upper 80s and the lake is clear. Water levels fluctuate daily. 

The bass fishing is overall good on Lake Monticello, but tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that there are days when the fish don’t bite as well and you have to turn to more finesse tactics. Also, they aren’t on every offshore spot, and you need to keep moving until you find the concentrations of hungry fish. He would wonder if the fish were starting to enter a summer slowdown, but it’s probably too early in the summer for that especially in a year where things are running behind. You just have to pick your spots and hit the right times.   

Overall the best pattern is still fishing 20-30 feet of water around depth changes, including points and humps and ridges. However, there are also some days when the fish are holding on brush more than drops.  The three baits that Andy will start off throwing are a crankbait, a spoon and a big worm like an Ole Monster – but again, there are some periods when they want something more subtle like a drop shot and a small worm. 

There is still a sporadic topwater bite shallow, and just this week they landed a nice mid-depth smallmouth in about 15 feet.

 

The free-line drift fishing forcatfish continues to be strong, andCaptain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that plenty of eating-sized blues are suspended high in the water column over deep water and they are hungry. You can easily catch a cooler full of fish up to about five pounds, and there is certainly the chance for a big one. A variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work. 

Many of the biggest fish are still focused on the spawn, but with some of the better fish starting to come off of beds the chances of catching a good one are going up again.  The best pattern for targeting large fish remains to fish a lot of rods and fan-cast baits at a variety of depths from the bank out to 30 feet around long points and underwater humps.  White perch and bream are the preferred baits for big fish right now, but herring and gizzard shad will also work.

June 14

Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s and the lake is clear. Water levels fluctuate daily. 

With water temperatures very warm the free-line driftingcatfish bite has finally taken off, andCaptain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that plenty of eating-sized blues are suspended high in the water column over deep water and they are hungry. You can easily catch a cooler full of fish up to about five pounds, and there is certainly the chance for a big one. A variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work. 

Many of the biggest fish are still focused on the spawn, but with some of the better fish starting to come off of beds the chances of catching a good one are going up again. The best pattern for targeting large fish remains to fish a lot of rods and fan-cast baits at a variety of depths from the bank out to 30 feet around long points and underwater humps. White perch and bream are the preferred baits for big fish right now, but herring and gizzard shad will also work.

As is normal in June it’s a really strong bass bite on Lake Monticello, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that in 20-30 feet of water around depth changes the fishing is very good. Fish are relating to a bunch of different stuff, from points to humps to ridges. There are basically three baits that Andy will be throwing right now – a crankbait, a spoon and a big worm like an Ole Monster. 

The fishing is always best when the fish first get out deep, and later in the summer it will slow down, so now is the time to target them before you have to turn to finesse techniques. 

While you can still fish topwater early you don’t want to miss the best deep bite.  

May 25

Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 70s and clarity is normal. Lake levels fluctuate daily. 

It’s still a transition period between post-spawn and early summer bass patterns on Lake Monticello, but tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that if temperatures go up a couple more degrees then some good schools of bass should get offshore. At the beginning of the season they are the most aggressive, and within the next week or so that bite should turn on. The best places to look will be 20-30 feet of water around depth changes including points, humps, and ridges. A crankbait, a spoon and a big worm like an Ole Monster are the go-to baits, and since the best bite is when the fish first get out there you don’t want to miss it. 

But for now the fish still haven’t really transitioned deep, and early in the morning it’s still worth fishing a topwater lure around points and the bank, including Pop-Rs and buzzbaits. During the day fish have been in about 10-15 feet of water off points.  Carolina rigs and shaky heads are the best ways to target them. 

With the Lake Monticello catfish in pre-spawn feeding mode this is one of the times when they are eating the best, but Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) is also starting to see signs that some fish may be starting to make beds and become more focused on spawning than eating. However, there are still plenty of hungry blue catfish that can be caught in shallow water. 

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 offer a variety of baits including gizzard shad, herring, white perch and bluegill. 

Like the offshore bass, when temperatures inch up a couple more degrees the free-line drifting bite should take off, although there should already be some smaller fish starting to suspend that will eat. 

May 19

Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 70s and clarity is normal. Lake levels fluctuate daily. 

It’s a transition period between post-spawn and early summer bass patterns on Lake Monticello, but tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that we are really close to some good schools of bass getting offshore. At the beginning of the season they are the most aggressive, and within the next week or two that bite should turn on. The best places to look will be 20-30 feet of water around depth changes including points, humps, and ridges. A crankbait, a spoon and a big worm like an Ole Monster are the go-to baits, and since the best bite is when the fish first get out there you don’t want to miss it.  Especially with the hot weather start checking now.    

As of writing, however, the fish haven’t really transitioned deep, and early in the morning it’s still worth fishing a topwater lures around points and the bank, including Pop-Rs and buzzbaits. During the day fish have been in about 10-15 feet of water off points. Carolina rigs and shaky heads are the best ways to target them. 

With the Lake Monticello catfish in pre-spawn feeding mode this is one of the times when they are eating 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 offer a variety of baits including gizzard shad, herring, white perch and bluegill. 

Very soon the free-line drifting bite will start, and there could already be some smaller fish starting to suspend that will eat. This heat wave should accelerate that progression. 

May 12

Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-70s and clarity is normal. Lake levels fluctuate daily. 

It’s a transition period between post-spawn and early summer bass patterns on Lake Monticello, as shown by recent tournament results. Tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that they have had good weights in the CATT tournaments most of the spring, but the fact that 13.75 pounds won the last event is due to fish being scattered between different stages. 

Early in the morning it’s still worth fishing a topwater lures around points and the bank, including Pop-Rs and buzzbaits. During the day you can start out looking for fish in about 10-15 feet of water off points. Carolina rigs and shaky heads are the best ways to target them. Soon the fish will stack up in offshore areas, but for now it’s a lot of searching to locate the fish. 

With the Lake Monticello catfish in pre-spawn feeding mode this is one of the times when they are eating 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 offer 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. 

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.