August 14

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are down to about 82 degrees and water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

All the rain has dropped the water temperatures on Lake Monticello approaching ten degrees, but BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that it hasn’t drastically changed the patterns for catching black bass – although things are slowly changing. The best bite is still cranking in 20-25 feet of water off points. At the same, fish are building up in large schools over humps. Often these areas are too deep for cranking, and so they are catching them on flutter spoons, drop shots, and shaky heads. 

There is still no shallow bite to speak of being reported. 

Fishing off sandy beaches and islands continues to be the best thing going for catfish on Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that if you can find areas with mussels then the bite can be outstanding. The fish are mostly smaller but will run up to 8-10 pounds, with the chance for a bigger one, and dip baits are working the best. However, you can also catch them on cut bait. Fish are mostly in 20-30 feet of water and biting throughout the day. 

Free-line drifting is also still working for anglers pulling a variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels, and it’s really as simple as drifting several rods with small pieces of bait across the lake.   

There are no reports on big fish again this week, but the preferred pattern for targeting them remains to anchor cut bait offerings on humps, points and ledges in the 20-45 foot range.  This fall they should go deeper. 

Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky so the best policy is to have to multiple different types of bait on your lines. 

July 31

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are still about 89 degrees and water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

There have been some good black bass caught on Lake Monticello this week, but BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that the bite is still pretty dependent on whether they are pulling water or not. The best fishing is in 20-40 feet of water around humps and points, and when water is moving then a deep-diving crankbait (for the shallower end of the range) or a flutter spoon will catch fish. It’s important to have the baits make contact with the bottom. 
When water is not moving then the same areas hold fish, but you basically have to fish a shaky head or some other soft plastic presentation. 

Eric doesn’t think there is much of a shallow pattern right now, and because they pump in and out so much water there is no thermocline. Accordingly, fish can live very deep on Monticello. 

While free-line drifting is still very effective for catching numbers of catfish, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that anglers are also filling up coolers with smaller blues casting dip baits (stink bait) around islands. They are concentrating on 20-30 feet of water or less, and even in the heat of the day fish are feeding well. 

For free-line drifting a variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work, and it’s really as simple as pulling several rods with small pieces of bait across the lake.   

There are no reports on big fish this week, but the preferred pattern for targeting them remains to anchor cut bait offerings on humps, points and ledges in the 20-45 foot range.

Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky so the best policy is to have to multiple different types of bait on your lines. 

Our family is travelling next week for the last week of the summer before our children go back to school, but we will resume weekly fishing reports the following week. Hopefully some cooler weather will give us some exciting changes to relay – although it will still be August in South Carolina!     

July 22

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are still about 89 degrees and water levels typically fluctuate frequently. The 99 end is clear but there is a slight stain near the dam. 

The basic pattern for catching black bass is still fishing deep on Lake Monticello, but BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that there are some wrinkles this week. In general when they are pulling water then a deep-diving crankbait like a 10XD has been very good for fishing in about 20 feet of water around humps and points. At these times the key to fishing the bait is to get it to the bottom and stay in contact with the lake floor. 

But when they are not pulling water then fish are holding over standing timber, and the key to catching them is to pull crankbaits at least five feet over their heads, stop, twitch the rod, and then reel fast. Lots of 5- and 6-pound fish have been caught this way this week. 

The depth that fish are suspending varies, and since you want to stay at least five feet over their heads then at time they are only using a square-bill crankbait to get down five feet since fish are only 10 feet below the surface.

In this heat there has been no shallow bite to speak of. 

The catfish spawn is essentially over, but Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the free-line drifting bite for eating-sized blues is still the best thing going as it probably will be until the fall.  Fish up to 5 pounds are suspended and feeding high in the water column over deep water, and as the spawn concludes more of the very big fish are also suspending. A variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work, and it’s really as simple as pulling several rods with small pieces of bait across the lake.   

At the same time many bigger fish are looking to replenish lost weight, and the preferred pattern for targeting them is to anchor cut bait offerings on humps, points and ledges in the 20-45 foot range.

Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky so the best policy is to have to multiple different types of bait on your lines. 

We apologize that these reports are running a few days behind – the author had some unexpected issues in his other job arise. 

July 9

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are 89 degrees and water levels typically fluctuate frequently. At least the 99 end is clear but we don’t have a report from the lower end. 

As the shallow smallmouth pattern has fallen off this week on Lake Monticello, BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that the better black bass are basically all deep. This week a 10XD has been very good for fishing in about 20 feet of water around humps and points, and the key to fishing the bait is to get it to the bottom and then sweep your rod to keep it in contact with the lake floor. 

But “shaking a minnow” for fish 25-30 feet deep in open water has also been effective, and they are now catching smallmouth as well as largemouth fishing a minnow-style bait on a jighead while looking at them on forward-facing sonar. Fish still aren’t interested in baits on a heavier jighead even though it’s easier to fish at those depths, and so they are still having to fish lighter jigheads. The bass also still show a preference for bigger baits.

 

Even as the catfish spawn continues to wind down, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the free-line drifting bite for eating-sized blues is still the best thing going as it probably will be until the fall.  Fish up to 5 pounds are suspended and feeding high in the water column over deep water, and as the spawn wraps up more of the very big fish will also be suspending. A variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work, and it’s really as simple as pulling several rods with small pieces of bait across the lake.   

At the same time that a few of the bigger fish are still spawning, others are starting to replenish lost weight. The preferred pattern for targeting them has now shifted deeper, and the best bet is to anchor large cut bait offerings on humps, points and ledges in the 20-45 foot range.

Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky so the best policy is to have to multiple different types of bait on your lines. 

July 2

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are in the upper 80s and water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

It’s time for deep fishing for black bass on Lake Monticello, BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that early, late, and anytime they are pulling water the best way to catch fish on Lake Monticello is fishing with a deep-diving crankbait like an 8XD or 10XD. Fish are off main lake points or on humps in 20 or more feet of water, and the key is for the bait to bump the bottom. 

Conditions get tough when they are not pumping, and fishing the same areas with a shaky head worm in green pumpkin is probably your best bet. 

There is also some action “shaking a minnow”, but right now fish aren’t interested in baits on a heavier jighead and it can be hard to get a light jighead as deep as the fish are holding – and keep up with them. That is particularly true when they seem to want bigger baits 5 inches or better. 

The one exception to the deep, offshore patterns is smallmouth, which are holding a little shallower in around 15 feet of water on main lake points. They can be caught on crankbaits, worms and swimbaits and seem to be feeding unusually well right now. 

With the catfish spawn starting to wind down, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that more big fish should be showing up again. However, the free-line drifting bite for eating-sized blues is still the best thing going. Tons of fish up to 5 pounds are suspended and feeding high in the water column over deep water, and as the spawn wraps up more of the very big fish will also be suspending. A variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work, and it’s really as simple as pulling several rods with small pieces of bait across the lake.   

At the same time that some of the bigger fish are spawning, others are coming off the spawn (and a few have yet to spawn). 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. Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky so the best policy is to have more than one option. 

June 18

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are in the low to mid-80s and water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

With temperatures getting well into the 80s on Lake Monticello, BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that the shallow black bass bite – specifically for smallmouth bass around brush or other shallow cover – has really slowed down.

Now it’s pretty much all deeper patterns, and early, late, and anytime that they are pulling water you can catch fish on the ends of points and humps in 18-25 feet of water with deep-running crankbaits like a 10XD.  Besides that you can fish flutter spoons and drop shot rigs in deep to very deep water as much as 60 or more feet around humps, road beds, and other deep structure, and when there is no current then the drop shot with a 6-inch Roboworm in Morning Dawn color continues to be the best option. You can also try a green pumpkin shaky head. 

You can also still catch fish “shaking a minnow” when they are shallower, but for very deep fish it’s hard to get a minnow-type bait on a jighead down to the fish without going for a very heavy lead head – which creates an action they don’t want. 

Along those lines, Eric notes that while there are a lot of fish deep in standing timber, it’s usually easier to get this population to bite by finding the nearest hump or point and targeting the fish that are there. 

Even as more and more mature catfish spawn, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the free-line drifting bite for eating-sized blues is just improving with temperatures well into the 80s. Tons of fish up to 5 pounds are suspended and feeding high in the water column over deep water, and there is always the chance for a big one. A variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work, and it’s really as simple as pulling several rods with small pieces of bait across the lake.   

At the same time that some of the bigger fish are spawning, others are still feeding up in preparation. Soon a few will start to come off the spawn. 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. Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky so the best policy is to have more than one option. 

June 11

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are around 80 degrees on the 99 end and warmer near the reactor.  The lake is clear and water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

It’s a variable bite for different black bass anglers on Lake Monticello, but BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that in his opinion the hottest thing going is the smallmouth bite. The fish are still relatively shallow in 6-20 feet, and you can find them around most any cover in the water. Stumps, laydowns or any sort of debris in that depth range is holding fish. They will take a drop shot and a crankbait pulled around the cover. 

But the largemouth are starting to move offshore, and the best bet first thing is to crank the points in about 18 feet with a DT-16, DT-20, 6XD or 8XD.   After that then fish are getting on humps and deeper points, and they will be as deep as about 40 feet. It’s a familiar tune that when there is current then flutter spoons and crankbaits are a good option, while when there is no water being pulled drop shots and shaky heads work better. With a shaky head on the bottom Eric likes green pumpkin while with a drop shot he wants something with a lot of metallic flakes in it.  

Even as more and more mature catfish spawn, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the free-line drifting bite for eating-sized blues is just improving. Tons of fish up to 5 pounds are suspended and feeding high in the water column over deep water, and there is always the chance for a big one. A variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work, and it’s really as simple as pulling several rods with small pieces of bait across the lake.   

At the same time that some of the bigger fish are spawning, others are still feeding up in preparation. Soon a few will start to come off the spawn. 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. Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky so the best policy is to have more than one option. 

May 29

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are around 78 degrees on the 99 end.  Water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

On the water this week on Lake Monticello, BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that the shad spawn pattern is finally dying off but that points and humps are getting even more productive. Fish will take shaky heads in 15-30 feet of water, and when there is current or wind then deep-running crankbaits or flutter spoons are working well. 

Eric also marked a lot of fish in standing timber, but again noted that a lot of times they are just swimming or suspending and don’t want to eat.   But by fishing the nearest high spot, whether it’s a hump or point, you can often catch them when they are in a feeding mode. The same bait rules for fishing generic points apply to the humps and points beside timber. 

Even as more and more mature catfish spawn, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the free-line drifting bite for eating-sized blues will just improve through the summer. Plenty of fish up to 5 pounds are suspended and feeding high in the water column over deep water, and there is always the chance for a big one. A variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work, and it’s really as simple as pulling several rods with small pieces of bait across the lake.   

Even as more and more mature catfish spawn, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the free-line drifting bite for eating-sized blues will just improve through the summer. Plenty of fish up to 5 pounds are suspended and feeding high in the water column over deep water, and there is always the chance for a big one. A variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work, and it’s really as simple as pulling several rods with small pieces of bait across the lake.   

At the same time that some of the bigger fish are spawning, others are still feeding up in preparation. 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. Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky so the best policy is to have more than one option. 

Our family is travelling for our annual beach vacation next week, but we will resume weekly fishing reports the following week.   

May 21

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are around 80 degrees and water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

Late spring patterns are dying off on Lake Monticello, but BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that first thing there is still the tail end of a shad spawn going on around riprap. Yesterday there was a seniors’ tournament that took 14 pounds to win, and fish were still being caught on Pop-Rs around the rocks early. 

After that anglers were fishing points in 15-30 feet of water, and when there is current or wind then deep-running crankbaits or flutter spoons are working well. When there is neither then shaky heads are the best bet. 

More and more fish are also moving into standing timber, and while you can “shake a minnow” (throw a minnow-type bait on a ball-style jighead) for these fish they are often reluctant to bite when they are holding in the timber.  But by fishing the nearest high spot, whether it’s a hump or point, you can often catch them when they are in a feeding mode. The same bait rules for fishing generic points apply to the humps and points beside timber. 

Even as mature catfish start to spawn, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the free-line drifting bite for eating-sized blues only gets better as temperatures hit 80. Plenty of fish up to 5 pounds are suspended and feeding high in the water column over deep water, and there is always the chance for a big one. A variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work, and it’s really as simple as pulling several rods with small pieces of bait across the lake.   

At the same time some of the bigger fish are almost certainly spawning, especially closer to the power station, but others are still feeding up in preparation. 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. Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky so the best policy is to have more than one option. 

May 15

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are in the mid-70s and water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

The black bass are moving towards summer patterns on Lake Monticello, although BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that first thing there is still a bit of shad spawn around rock and anglers are catching fish on Pop-Rs. After that then most of the action is on the main lake, although you can still catch some smaller fish in coves. 

Offshore structure and cover is holding the better fish, and brush piles in 15-30 feet of water have been productive with a shaky head on the bottom. The greatest number of big fish, though, are starting to get in standing timber. But while you can “shake a minnow” (throw a minnow-type bait on a jighead) for these fish they are often reluctant to bite when they are holding in the timber.

However, when they move up towards the nearest high spot, be it a hump or point in the same area, they are often more likely to feed, and then they will take 8XDs or 10XDs cranked down to about 20 feet. Flutter spoons are also good. 

Even as mature catfish can be entering a more difficult period, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the free-line drifting bite for eating-sized blues has taken off. Plenty of fish up to 5 pounds are suspended and feeding high in the water column over deep water, and there is always the chance for a big one. A variety of baits ranging from cut fish to chicken to mussels will work, and it’s really as simple as pulling several rods with small pieces of bait across the lake.   

At the same time the bigger fish are now getting very close to spawning and some may already be, especially closer to the power station, and 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. Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky so the best policy is to have more than one option. 

May 8

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are in the mid-70s or higher, and water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

The black bass on Lake Monticello are on a shad spawn pattern early again this week, and BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that the best bite is with a Pop-R. The shad are mostly spawning on rocks, and the riprap along the dam is a magnet for fish. After the early surface action stops then back out in the same areas and crank for them, and then when that slows head to the points and fish in 15-20 feet of water with a shaky head.

We will probably also be saying this for months to come, but Eric reports that fish are also starting to get in the standing timber and targeting fish you can see on forward-facing sonar with a minnow-type bait on a jighead is a good pattern. 

As water temperatures are bumping the upper 70s, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the free-line drifting bite forcatfish has taken off. Plenty of eating-sized blues are now 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, and it’s really as simple as pulling several rods with small pieces of bait across the lake.   

At the same time the bigger fish are now getting very close to spawning, especially closer to the power station, and 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. Lake Monticello catfish can be finicky so the best policy is to have more than one option. 

May 1

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are in the low to mid-70s. Water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

The black bass on Lake Monticello are on a similar but more seasonally advanced pattern again this week, and BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that first thing fishing a spinnerbait or crankbait around the riprap where shad are spawning is must-do. After that pattern dies off as the sun comes up then there is a decent bite in the pockets with a worm. This is targeting post-spawn fish that have not left the coves for the main lake, but the better numbers have probably already returned to the main lake. They can be caught on crankbaits fished on points.

Of course, other fish on the main lake have already headed offshore, and once again it’s the time when forward-facing-sonar can be hard to beat on Lake Monticello. Fishing flutter spoons and deep cranking is getting good.

More to follow after Eric’s tournament this weekend.

While it’s still a good time to catch a big blue shallow on Lake Monticello, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the large catfish continue to be inconsistent from one day to the next. While the fish are in pre-spawn mode, they are not feeding well every day. The best places to look for them continue to be around long points and in coves, with 15-25 feet the key depth range. Fish move towards the deeper end of that as the sun rises. 

Anchoring with perch, gizzard shad, and bream all seem to be about the same.

It’s probably also very close to the time when free-line drifting for numbers of catfish can be productive, if it has not already arrived. We will try to provide a report on that for next week. 

April 24

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are in the low 70s. Water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

Another week and another big tournament bag of black bass on Lake Monticello, with BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reporting that a 24-pound sack won the last tournament. The fish were caught on the shad spawn, and the hottest thing going right now is fishing a crankbait around rocks anywhere there is riprap and spawning shad. That’s an early morning bite, and after it dies off then the best bet is to fish the ends of points in about 20 feet of water as fish start to move out. When there is wind then a deep-diving crankbait is a good option, but in calm conditions then a shaky head is the best bet.  

At this point Eric has not seen or heard of any open water bite yet, and fish still seem to be related to the coves and points. There are even some stragglers still bedding. 

While it’s still a good time to catch a big blue shallow on Lake Monticello, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the large catfish continue to be inconsistent from one day to the next. While the fish are in pre-spawn mode, they are not feeding well every day. The best places to look for them continue to be around long points and in coves, with 15-25 feet the key depth range. Fish move towards the deeper end of that as the sun rises. 

Anchoring with perch, gizzard shad, and bream all seem to be about the same.

April 10

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello range from about 65-70 after some cooler temperatures and rain. Water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

In last weekend’s CATT black bass tournament on Lake Monticello it took 21 pounds to win, while BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that an even bigger tournament only took 16 pounds. Between waves of spawning fish the bite was a little tougher, but Eric’s son Hunter did manage to see and catch a four-plus pounder off a bed. With this weekend’s full moon there should be another decent-sized wave of fish going on beds.

Besides targeting spawning fish, the predominant pattern right now is fishing the riprap with a spinnerbait first thing where there are shad congregated. After that a jerkbait is very good for post-spawn fish that have recently come off beds. For now almost all of the fish are in the pockets still, and it won’t be for some time until they head deep on the main lake. 

With water temperatures rapidly rising and more and more prey around the banks, Captain William Attaway with Slick Willie’s Guide Service (803-924-0857) reports that we are in probably the best period for shallow catfish fishing of the year on Lake Monticello.  In the morning anchor rods as shallow as 5-15 feet on out, while when the sun is up concentrate most efforts from 10-35 feet or more. With the contours of Monticello it’s a lake where you can easily cover a wide array of water depths. 

Monticello cats are often finicky and so having a variety of baits including herring, gizzard shad, perch, bream and more is a good bet. 

Our family is travelling for our children’s spring break next week, but we will resume weekly Lake Murray fishing reports after the Easter holiday. 

April 3

Morning surface water temperatures on Lake Monticello are around 65 at the 99 end and in the upper 60s by the power station. The lake is fairly clear and water levels typically fluctuate frequently. 

The black bass spawn got underway really, really fast on Lake Monticello, and BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that it may be that the peak of the spawn actually took place this week and we are now on the backside! There will still be at least a couple more waves of bedding fish, but with Monticello fish generally bedding in at least 6 feet of water because of variable water levels it’s always a bit harder to pin down than on other lakes. 

Regardless there are still numbers of fish shallow, and all day long you can catch fish in the coves on a shaky head. Work it around the banks, off the points, and even in the middle of coves. On days when there is current or wind and fish are a bit more aggressive then a jerkbait is fishing really well off red clay points. Additionally, with a shad spawn getting underway look around rock first thing with shad-imitating crankbait or a jerkbait. 

With water temperatures rapidly rising and more and more prey around the banks, Captain William Attaway with Slick Willie’s Guide Service (803-924-0857) reports that we are getting into probably the best period for shallow catfish fishing of the year on Lake Monticello.  In the morning anchor rods as shallow as 5-15 feet on out, while when the sun is up right concentrate most efforts from 10-35 feet or more. With the contours of Monticello it’s a lake where you can easily cover a wide array of water depths. 

Monticello cats are often finicky and so having a variety of baits including herring, gizzard shad, perch, bream and more is a good bet.