Our family is going to rent a house and go to the lake for a week. I have never fished this lake and was looking for some advise. I believe we are generally located across the lake from the state park. I have not been on this lake in over 30 years and the best I can remember it did not have much or any standing timber. So if you don't have private brush piles where do you find crappie? Or do you recommend fishing for sandbass or catfish? Any pointers is appreciated. We will be there at the end of this moth into the first week of June.

Thanks

There is lots of standing timber. Some not above surface, but if you look with electronics, you will find plenty.

I'm right there with you Retired Farmun. Want to go there, heard good things, just not sold on where to go. Good luck. Let me know what you find out and vice versa.

It's a fun lake full of fish! Brush and submerged timber would be my guess. I haven't been on that lake in 6 months but wouldn't be scared to run a trip there tomorrow. There's timber west of 21 and between the 2 bridges. If you don't know where your going I wouldn't get in a hurry. East of the RR bridge is pretty open. The waters pretty clear, minnows and 1/8oz jigs in Bad Shad and Popcycle always worked best for me. I would focus on brush and timber in 15-20'. Good luck!

There's always crappie on the bridges, all though they get pressured alot. Just be careful running if your not familiar with Sandlin. Most timber is covered since they raised the lake level slightly when they opened Monticello gate. May and June are good for sandbass also.

Good info coming so far, I didn't realize the lake level had been raised and the timber hazard even existed. Is dock shooting a thing on that lake?

I absolutely love this lake!! The 21 Bridge is Good & the Barefoot Bay Bridge also if you make it that far from the State park area but don`t rule out those Dock especially in the upcoming months! This lake has some very nice Red Ear sunfish to 10 inches

Cajun crickets in shades of orange and brown. Fish off points in treetops, water maybe 40 ft, but the tops will be 15 to 20 ft below. If you fish minnows the brim and small bass will
feast on them, but the kids will have a good day. Minnows are available at Blodgett across
the Hwy 21 bridge.

https://tpwd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=fd103605049c44a8b81be6f9da6f4956

Here ya go sir.

Fishbonz, would you be willing to give up some of your redear locations? I have a wife that had rather catch big bream that eat. I started to PM you but you are over your limit. Thanks Daniel

PM sent

Follow up report. I was there the week of the full moon but had decent success. I was there to catch fish and really didn't care what kind. I ended up catching catfish, crappie, and sandbass that week with catfish being the best by far. There was some early morning schooling of the sandbass, however they would not stay up very long but if you happen to be close enough to cast into them you could pick up a few. I tried crappie at the RR bridge and 21 bridge and caught some at both and some on timber and brush piles between those bridges mentioned above. I struggled with boat control trying to sit on top of them long enough to tempt a bite I have an old foot control trolling motor and definitely can see the advantage of spot lock.. I got 2 gallon size bags of fillets to use for a family fish fry, thanks for the pointers. I considered the trip a success.

Thanks for the report Farmum

The Crappie in that lake are big!!

If you do not know that there is timber on the lake you need to buy the boat lanes chip from Tom Mayne Guide Service so that you do not tear up your boat.