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The newest Lake Monticello fishing report can be found at: http://www.anglersheadquarters.com/ahq-insider-lake-monticello-sc-spring-2018-fishing-report/
March 30
Lake Monticello water temperatures vary from the upper-50s to mid-60s with the influence of the warm-water discharge. Lake levels generally fluctuate daily.
It’s most people’s favorite time to bassfish on Lake Monticello, and FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that right now you want to be fishing in less than five feet of water and have a bunch of different worms tied on – a floating worm, a Texas rig, a weightless Senko and a shakey head. There are a large number of males already on beds, and there are also some good females up shallow near the bank. More and more good females will continue to pull up. This is the very best time of the year to beat the bank on Lake Monticello.
No new catfish report.
March 15
Lake Monticello water temperatures vary wildly from the mid-50s to mid-60s between the influence of the warmwater discharge and variable air temperatures. Lake levels generally fluctuate daily.
It’s getting to be pretty good bass fishing on Lake Monticello, and FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that last weekend it took about 20 pounds to win an event with 30 or 40 boats. One wave of fish spawned back in late February when temperatures spiked, but the next wave of pre-spawn bass are staging off points at the entrance to bays and coves where they will ultimately spawn. The best fishing is in 12 feet of water and less.
Shallow to medium-running crankbaits have been the best baits so far, but soft plastics will also work well right now. Very soon you should be able to fish a floating worm back in the spawning pockets.
No new catfishreport.
February 23
On the catfish front, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that fish are heading shallower and as long as temperatures continue to increase they will keep going in that direction. The best pattern right now is anchoring on humps that top out in about 30 feet of water; on long, gently sloping points; and in the back of deep coves. Perch, bream, and gizzard shad are the best baits.
No new bass fishing report from FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria, out on Tour.
February 9
Overall, FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that bassfishing on Lake Monticello is still tough as nails. Fishing deep with Alabama rigs and shakey heads around rock in 15-25 feet is the best bet, but nothing is hot.
On the catfish front, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports anchoring on deep water humps with cut bait is still the best way to catch fish. Both white perch and gizzard shad are working well.
January 18
Despite some rotten weather, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the catfishbite remains good on Lake Monticello. Anchoring on deep water humps with cut bait is the best way to catch fish right now, and both white perch and gizzard shad are working well.
No new bass fishing report from FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria.
December 21
It’s the time of year when the Lake Monticello bass should be stacking up on points and drops in 30-35 feet of water and eating a jigging spoon, but unfortunately FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria says they just are not. He reports that a bass bite has been very hard to come by, and even the perch have been inconsistent. It’s unclear exactly what is going on.
Luckily, the catfishaction on Monticello remains good according to Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857). While drifting will catch fish, he still suggests anchoring in the 50-70 foot range.
December 14
In catfish news, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the best place to look is still around humps and long points in 50-70 feet of water. Drifting has gotten a little bit better, but he still recommends anchoring. There are some occasional tough days but overall the bite has been good.
Bass reports are slim on Lake Monticello, but FLW angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria says that if he were out there right now he would definitely be fishing a jigging spoon and drop shot. Points and drops in 30-35 feet are the best places to start, but it’s all about where you are marking the bait.
December 1
If the results from the day after Thanksgiving bass tournament on Lake Monticello are any indication that lake is still fishing pretty tough, and it only took 12 pounds for the win. Tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria says that right now is the time for fishing a spoon on Lake Monticello, chiefly in the 30-40 foot range. Of course, the exact depth depends on where you are marking bait. Points and drops hold the most fish this time of year.
Around now the birds become a useful tool for finding fish on Monticello, although if you see them over very deep water in the 100-foot range they are probably over catfish and perch. However, any activity closer to the bank is a good sign that bass are nearby.
On the catfish front, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the drift bite really hasn’t picked up yet and so he recommends anchoring. At times it has been a little slow, but there are still some good fish being caught in 50-70 feet on humps and long points with cut bait. Patience and being at the right place at the right time is the key.
November 10
Lake Monticello water temperatures have dropped into the mid-60s. Lake levels generally fluctuate daily.
In catfish news, Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the fall bite is picking up on Lake Monticello – and should only continue to get better as the season progresses. Already the Monticello beasts are beginning to move around, and for the next month or two the best trophy fishing of the year should take place.
The best pattern right now seems to be anchoring on humps in 55-75 feet and fishing cut gizzard shad, white perch and bream. The drifting bite hasn’t really taken off yet.
October 20
Lake Monticello water temperatures have dropped into the mid to lower-70s, while clarity is still very good. Lake levels generally fluctuate daily.
After a late-summer slowdown bass fishing on Lake Monticello is getting better, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that fish are starting to move shallower. That’s Monticello-shallow, not Lake Wateree shallow, and so some good fish are being caught in 7-10 feet of water on Carolina rigs. There has also been a pretty decent topwater bite early in the morning.
Plenty of fish remain deep, too, and using a jigging spoon you can catch bass as well as scads of perch off the right points.
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.