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The newest Lake Monticello fishing report can be found at: http://www.anglersheadquarters.com/ahq-insider-lake-monticello-sc-summer-2019-fishing-report/

June 21

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the mid-80s, and the water is typically clear.  Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.

The transition is pretty much over on Lake Monticello, and FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that most of the bass have already made their way out to deep water 20-45 feet down.  The majority of bass are holding within 3-4 feet of the bottom, and they will take spoons, big crankbaits and even Alabama rigs.

By the second week of July the fish may slow down on the moving baits, and then it will be time to fish shakey heads, drop shots or Carolina rigs.

There are some fish that can still be picked up early and late around the banks on topwater lures, but the majority of the fish are out deeper.

It’s not a good time to target big catfish on Lake Monticello, but Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that this is the peak time of the year to get numbers of fish using the free-line drifting method.  Small pieces of herring drifted in the top of the water column over deep water will catch fish of a variety of sizes, mostly in the 1-5-10 pound range, but with the chance at the occasional bigger one.

For larger fish the best bet remains to anchor on humps or long points from 10 to 35 feet, with rods at different depths along the structure to see how deep fish are holding on a particular day.  A variety of cut baits are working.  Fish will move shallower at night.

May 23

Lake Monticello water temperatures are around 80, and the water is typically clear.  Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.

The bassare in a transition period between middle depths and deeper water, and FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that most of the fish are right now in the 10-15 foot range where they can be caught on crankbaits and Carolina rigs.  There are also fish that can be caught on topwaters early.

However, there are already a very few deep holes that are holding schools of fish, and it clear that is the direction fish are moving.  When they first get out there the bass will be very aggressive and willing to eat big baits like crankbaits and large spoons.

The catfish action is pretty good on Lake Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the free-line drifting bite is just starting.  Small pieces of herring drifted in the top of the water column over deep water will catch fish of a variety of sizes.  For bigger fish, the best bet is still to anchor on humps or long points from 10 to 35 feet, and it’s important to put out rods at different depths along the structure to see how deep fish are holding on a particular day.  A variety of cut baits are working.  Fish will move shallower at night.

April 26

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the low 70s, and the water is typically clear.  Lake levels normally fluctuate daily, but they generally seem to be holding the lake pretty high right now.

The bassspawn is winding down on Lake Monticello, and FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that even though there are lots of signs of bedding activity in the shallows fish seem to be starting to make their way out of the backs.  While you can still bed fish in pockets or fish for immediately pre-spawn or post-spawn fish cruising in the shallows, the bite is moving towards points and humps in less than 15 feet of water.  In fact, the very last wave of fish will spawn on top of these humps.

First thing in the morning there should continue to be a very good topwater bite on buzzbaits or Pop-Rs, and you can also fish a Carolina rig or other worm around most any point.  Both secondary points close to spawning pockets as well as main lake points will hold fish.

The catfish bite continues to improve on Lake Monticello as temperatures warm, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that fish continue to move shallower.  They best bet is to anchor on humps or long points from 10 to 35 feet, and it’s important to put out rods at different depths along the structure to see how deep fish are holding on a particular day.  A variety of cut baits are working.  The free-line drifting bite is close but not quite there yet.

April 4

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the 60s, and the water is typically clear.  Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.

The bassspawn has busted wide open on Lake Monticello, and FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that fish are all over the beds.  They have been there for a little while, and so right now you can catch fish at all three stages of the spawn on Lake Monticello.  There are a lot of fish in shallow, protected pockets that can be caught on floating worms, shakey heads and Senkos.  You can either sight-cast for these fish or catch them blind-casting, and they will also eat the topwater bait of your choice – including Spooks, Pop-Rs, buzzbaits, etc.  Both pre-spawn fish and spawners will come up to eat a surface lure.

In addition to the shallow fish, both pre-spawn and post-spawn fish can also be caught in the 10-15 foot range on a Carolina rig.  Generally they will be on the secondary point closest to spawning pockets, but there are also some good ones on main lake points at the same depth.

The catfishbite continues to improve on Lake Monticello as temperatures warm, and Captain William Attaway(803-924-0857) reports that fish are definitely moving shallower.  They best bet is to anchor on humps or long points from 10 to 45 feet, and it’s important to put out rods at different depths along the structure to see how deep fish are holding.  More big fish are starting to show up than a few weeks ago, and a variety of cut baits are working.  The free-line drifting bite usually does not start up until things warm into the 70s or hotter.

March 14

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the mid- to upper-50s, and even warmer near the warm water discharge, and the lake is typically clear.  Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.

Recent bass tournaments have been won on Lake Monticello with mid-depth patterns, and there have also been a lot of fish caught on points. However, after the current round of warm, stable weather FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that anglers should look in spawning pockets and fish floating worms, Senkos, and shakey heads up shallow.  Closer to the power plant there are probably some fish already on beds, while in the rest of lake they are pre-spawn but getting close.

The catfish bite has picked up a little on Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that they have been catching some fish drifting in 50 feet of water with cut gizzard shad.  Fish should be on the verge of moving to shallower water as the temperatures rise, but for now the best action remains deeper.  Most of the fish being caught right now are 10 pounds and under.

February 22

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the mid-50s, and lake levels typically fluctuate daily. Overall the lake is fairly clear.

As we get into late February bassfishing on Lake Monticello gets better, even though FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that with temperatures still relatively cool fish have not really moved into a pre-spawn pattern.

For now the best bet is fishing an Alabama rig around points and brush piles in the 10-20 foot range. Rock can also be good, and even though there is limited natural rock on Monticello the riprap on the upper end can hold fish.

The catfish bite remains a bit slow on Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the best way to catch fish is anchoring in about 45 feet of water on long points.  White perch and gizzard shad are the best baits.

January 24

Lake Monticello water temperatures remain in the lower 50s, and lake levels typically fluctuate daily. Overall the lake is fairly clear.

Late January is usually a tough time for bassfishing on Lake Monticello, and FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that recent tournament results are consistent with this expectation.  While a nice 18-pound sack won a mid-sized tournament on Monticello last weekend, weights below that dropped off to 14 pounds in second place and then the rest of the field unable to weigh a full limit. A substantial portion of the field did not catch a fish.

The best pattern continues to be throwing an Alabama rig, and fishing the 10-20 foot range around points is generating the best catches.  The spoon bite is almost non-existent, but some fish are being caught on drop shot rigs in 20-30 feet of water around points and humps.

The catfish bite remains a bit slow on Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the best way to catch fish is anchoring in about 45 feet of water on long points.  White perch and gizzard shad are the best baits.

January 18

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the lower 50s, and lake levels typically fluctuate daily. The lake is getting back to very clear.

Late January is a tough time for bassfishing on Lake Monticello, and FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that while there are still deep fish they are so scattered that they are tough to target.  It’s hard to catch fish on a spoon without getting lucky. About the best way to get bit right now in probably the toughest month of the year on Monticello is with an Alabama rig in 10-12 feet water.  Target points and humps and try to cover a lot of water.

The catfish bite remains a bit slow on Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the best way to catch fish is anchoring in about 45 feet of water on long points.  White perch and gizzard shad are the best baits.

January 2

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the mid-50s, and lake levels typically fluctuate daily.  The lake is more stained than normal but still generally clear.

The bassfishing on Lake Monticello is still pretty good, and FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that most of the fish remain out deep.  They can be caught in 25-40 feet of water on jigging spoons.  It remains more important to find bait on your graph than fish, as bass seem to be so hunkered down that they are hard to pick up.

There are still sporadic reports of fish being caught shallow, but in general the deep bite is much stronger right now.

The catfish bite has slowed a bit on Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that at this time the best way to catch fish is anchoring in about 45 feet of water on long points. White perch and gizzard shad are the best baits.

December 19

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the lower to mid-50s, and lake levels generally fluctuate daily.

The bassfishing on Lake Monticello remains strong, and FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that fish can still be caught in 30-50 feet on a jigging spoon.  This bite should continue at least through the middle of January.  In the late fall and winter it’s usually more important to find bait on your graph than fish, as bass seem to be so hunkered down that they are hard to pick up.

There have also been some nice fish caught working the banks in less than 10 feet of water with an Alabama rig.  This is a good way to pick up a big smallmouth.

For anglers with patience it remains an excellent time to catch a monster blue catfish on Monticello.  Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that while you can anchor peak conditions still exist for drifting, and he is concentrating on 60-65 feet of water off long points and humps with white perch and gizzard shad. You have to fish slowly and be willing to wait for the big one, but there are teen weight fish to go with some true giants.

November 29

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the mid to upper-50s, and lake levels generally fluctuate daily.

The bite is not fast and furious, but if you are willing to have a little patience it’s an excellent time to catch a monster blue catfish on Monticello.  Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that while you can anchor peak conditions still exist for drifting, and he is concentrating on 60-65 feet of water off long points and humps with white perch and gizzard shad. You have to fish slowly and be willing to wait for the big one, but there are teen weight fish to go with some true giants.

It’s also a great time to bassfish on Lake Monticello, and FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that fish can be caught in 30-50 feet on a jigging spoon.  In the late fall and winter it’s usually more important to find bait on your graph than fish, as bass seem to be so hunkered down that they are hard to pick up.

November 15

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the lower 60s, and lake levels generally fluctuate daily.

It’s getting to be the most exciting time of year to bassfish on Lake Monticello.  While the last few weeks better fish have been coming on Alabama rigs fished relatively shallow, and the main fish caught on spoons have been perch, that is about to change.  FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that this hard cold snap should push the bass into biting in 30-50 feet on a jigging spoon.  In the late fall and winter it’s usually more important to find bait on your graph than fish, as bass are apparently so hunkered down that they are hard to pick up.

On the catfish front,  Captain William Attaway(803-924-0857) reports that this is the best time of year for drifting on Lake Monticello.  Fish can still be caught at anchor, but with conditions right for drifting he’d rather fish that way and has more success.  Gizzard shad and white perch fished in 50 plus feet of water are the best way to catch fish.

October 19

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the mid to upper-70s, and lake levels generally fluctuate daily.

As predicted bass fishing on Monticello has improved, and FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that in a recent tournament it took 19 pounds to win.  The bulk of the fish were caught shallow with topwater lures.  There is also a decent spoon bite in about 30 feet of water.

On the catfish front,  Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the bite is also getting better and fish can be caught off long points in about 60 feet of water.  The best pattern is still anchoring big pieces of gizzard shad and white perch and waiting very patiently, but drifting should come on soon.

September 21

Lake Monticello lake levels generally fluctuate daily and water temperatures are still in the mid-80s.

Even though temperatures are still hot on Lake Monticello, FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that the bass are starting to make some seasonal changes and gang up around bait out deep.  The best lures to use are jigging spoons, drop shot rigs and Alabama rigs.

With temperatures just beginning to (maybe) cool off Andy also suggests throwing topwater lures around the banks.