Fishing stories, fisheries issues, rants, my uncensored thoughts and opinions (not yours) and infotainment. The most comprehensive bass fishing library for Wisconsin bass fishing and across the Midwest.
Fanatical for Finesse Swimbaits
Monday, 08 July 2024
Oftentimes, smallmouths can be picky eaters, preferring only one certain paddletail (brand, color, or size) while ignoring the others. Then on other days, they will showcase no behavioral or feeding judgment, hammering everything swimming past.
- Published in Smallie Blog, Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouths Under Pressure
Friday, 01 December 2023
If you clicked on this story thinking it’s a how-to about dealing with fishing pressure, you’re maybe 33% correct. This is mostly a venting session filled with observations and atrocities I witness each season. Fishing for a partial living is far from glamorous, and with it comes a lot of dirt if you know
- Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallie Blog, Smallmouth Bass
Fire Craws in Northwoods Lakes
Tuesday, 13 December 2022
I finally found a real fire craw in the wild. Up north, they are not so common. This is why “fire craw” and anything in red craw should be in your year-round lure and color selection more often.
- Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallie Blog
Springtime Excellence with Rapala X-Raps
Monday, 25 April 2022
When smallmouth bass are staging for the spawn, I consider a suspending jerkbait the ultimate lure. It’s the first thing I turn to before anything else. Smallmouths aren’t on top and they aren’t on the bottom. They want to eat as they prepare for the spawn, but the water is still pretty cold so
- Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallie Blog
Is Social Media Ruining Fishing Spots?
Saturday, 12 February 2022
Every once in a while, I come across insightful columns pondering whether social media is ruining fishing. Though these online super-sites are an integral tool for networking, information gathering and education, they are without question negative on fisheries. The disheartening realities of Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube far outweighed the positives. Fishing isn’t the same as
- Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallie Blog
Northwoods Bass 2020 Fishing Itinerary
Friday, 20 March 2020
Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures, with your host and instructor Andrew Ragas, is committed to providing the most successful, informative and educational fishing experience possible. Bass anglers who fish with me (newbies, veterans, or pros, whichever you choose to be) will learn how to locate, approach, and catch bass on our region’s waters. Here is a
- Published in Fishing Reports, Smallie Blog
Match The Hatch Rusty Crayfish
Monday, 29 July 2019
By Andrew Ragas Smallmouth bass and rusty crayfish in northwoods inland lakes are on a collision course every summer. This predator and prey interaction often utilizes the same lake and river locations for habitat and feeding. Their connection as predator and prey is strong and unique, and shapes the ecosystems and food chains of ever
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallie Blog, Smallmouth Bass
Summer Slam – Topwater Giants
Monday, 01 July 2019
By Andrew Ragas Topwaters and surface baits, longtime bass fishing staples at night, are popular for smallmouths. They are hard to beat when surface activity is prevalent, the lakes are heating up from the sunlight above, and insect hatches take place. When either of these conditions are in play, topwaters often get eaten quickly, and
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallie Blog, Smallmouth Bass
Write to the Wisconsin DNR to maintain current bass regulations
Tuesday, 23 April 2019
The inland lakes of Wisconsin and their trophy, special management fisheries need your help. If you don’t want to see tournaments and other events permitted and exempted to regulations (you and I follow) on special management waters, here’s your chance to act before early May! In response to question #10, write and express your
- Published in Smallie Blog
- 1
- 2