So Wednesday I headed east on 30 toward a rendez-vous with Shaun, Rob, and KBFer lconn (Louis) to fish Monticello on Thursday. I got one of those heated shelters at Sandlin for Wednesday night and decided to hit Fork before getting there in light of the fact that the first sharelunker of the year was caught there on Tuesday. Fished about 7 hours in the Little Mustang/Williams area and got the full on Pepe le Pew! One bite all day, felt REALLY good on a black/blue jig and was having it's way with me until it decided to yank me into a tree and sawed me off. Wish I'd gotten to at least see it.

Anyways, on to Monticello, where I met Louis and found out that Shaun and Rob couldn't make it due to some car/plumbing issues. Launched just before six Thursday in fog that looked fake, like it was straight out of a low-budget horror flick, and paddled hard for the north end. One stack was fired up. I was using my iphone gps to navigate and definitely keeping my eyes and ears open since visibility was maybe five yards at best there for a while. Pretty crazy! Anyways, the iphone led us astray and as the sun was starting to come up we found ourselves on the west side instead of the east/RR bridge that was our destination. Oops! It was pretty thick...




No matter, Louis has several spots dialed in and we were in some timber in 10-12 feet. I caught couple on my black/blue jig almost immediately and then I hear Louis telling me to get over here and paddle over to him just as the fog starts burning off. He's slaying them on deep diving cranks bounced off the stumps. That lake's got current so those fish can pull! Louis definitely had the hot hand, boating 3 nice ones in the next 15 minutes, one pushing 7 and over 22 inches. I managed a couple myself on a DD22. It sure is weird to see those aggressive hard pulling jumpers during late December, but I like it!






The bite died off at around 900 maybe and the only thing either of us caught by about 2 was my one customary catfish on a bass lure (happens every time I've been there). I switched back to a jig and missed a few that were very lightly popping at it on the fall, but I just wasn't fast enough. I had forgotten my sunglasses and had a splitting sinus headache so I made the call to start the long paddle back to the ramp and left Louis on the water. I had also come to the conclusion that they just wouldn't bite without some current/generation and it was done for the day. Mistake! Talked to Louis this morning and he said it turned back on at about 330 and he boated a couple more over six! Oh well. Next time I'll remember not to be a nancy. Good times! Louis is a real character and it was a hoot fishing with him.

Wow!! Great job Tom. I wished I could have made it. I just found out it's going to cost $800 to repair my truck. .

Very nice

Awesome, I never thought of paddling to the discharge. I have only fished it a couple times, but do like Monticello. Great catfish lake.

Great report!

Thanks

The fog does make pretty cool pictures!!

Yall done good.

Nice job! I've been thinking of going there for catfish at the hot water discharge. Fished there about 12 years ago in a bass boat using water dogs and had a blast. I got my PB LMB and catfish on that lake but haven't been back since . I wanted to do it in my kayak but didn't want to paddle all the way from the park ramp. Does anybody know if you can put in at the FM 127 bridge?

Looks like you guys got on them. Wish I could have made it but had to meet plumber to change out the pop off valve on the hot water heater I replaced. I'm taking a new job on Tuesday so my fishing will be limited at best here in the next few months. Maybe we can hit it up on a Saturday or Sunday soon.

Todd I've looked all over for a closer put in... Louis dragged his yak down the bicycle lane of the bridge the last time but it's pretty steep when you get to the underpass... A guy in a PB I talked to said that there's a creek that feeds in on the east near the railroad bridge. I went down those county roads looking for it but it's all luminant and mine property so it's locked. Couldn't find what he was talking about but maybe I misunderstood where to look...

That's definitely a lake where you wish you had a t160 or a mirage drive! When the wind kicks up from the south the paddle back after throwing DD22s all day is a long churn!

Great report and pictures. That bottom fog picture could probably win a photo contest or be a magazine cover.
Nice looking fishes too.

Awesome report. Great work, guys.

I've never been to Monticello before, but it looks really interesting.

Thanks for the report and sharing the pics. That evening bite is hit or miss but always good in the AM.

cool pictures. looks like you guys had a great time.