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The newest Lake Monticello fishing report, updated October 20, can be found at: http://www.anglersheadquarters.com/ahq-insider-lake-monticello-sc-fall-2017-fishing-report/

August 31

Lake Monticello water temperatures have dropped several degrees from their highs in the 90s. Lake levels generally fluctuate daily.

Tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that towards the end of the summer lake Monticello bass fishing got tough, and whereas 20 pound sacks were winning night tournaments earlier in the season weights well under 10 pounds were good enough by the end.  Most of the fish are still offshore, but the bite has really slowed.

Although September can still be a tough month, Andy expects the deep fish to bite better.  He will be dragging a worm around deep spots including brush and drop-offs in 30-40 feet, and when water temperatures cool a few degrees there should also be a decent topwater bite early.  Some fish are already being caught on a Pop-R first thing but the window should get longer.

As the fall progresses fish will be relating more to bait, and by late September or early October anglers will want to idle around and locate bait schools.  By mid-October Andy will be fishing vertically with a spoon.

On another front, the free-lining catfish bite continues to be really good.  Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that in addition to numbers of fish they are still catching some really nice ones free-lining pieces of cut herring.  The depth varies from day to day but the best results have come recently over 100-plus feet of water, with the baits generally running 5-15 feet down.  The hottest action has been close to the discharge where William speculates that the fish are eating cut bait that gets churned back up.  Look for the big fish bite to come on once temperatures cool off.