Andrew Ragas splits time between the Chicago area and Wisconsin's Northwoods. Based in Minocqua, WI, he specializes in trophy bass fishing and offers guided trips from May thru October. While big bass is the passion, he dabbles in multi-species as well. He may be visited online at www.northwoodsbass.com
Winter is looming. Smallmouth bass know it and also prepare for it. By early October, water temperatures have fallen below 60 throughout much of their northern range, and fall turnover is in the process of completion. Shorter daylight in conjunction with plummeting water temps and completion of turnover will influence smallmouths to congregate heavily
“It’s cheating!” most proclaim. “They’re too expensive!” some even complain. “Whatever puts them in the boat!” I exclaim. Disallowed in tournaments. Too expensive for a dozen to purchase from bait shops. Messy and a burden to maintain and keep alive. These are just a few excuses for not wanting live minnows, and I get
Beginning in early September, we drift shallow flats and beach shorelines. While most boats are still positioned around deep weedlines and offshore structure, we concentrate on the sand flats and inside weedlines of shorelines. The fishing improves with each passing day, and gets really good by late month. We zig and zag with the
September is a month of transition and changing of seasons. With shortening daylight and colder nights, the entire food chain reacts and acclimates to these changes. On many clear water fisheries with sand bottom composition, trophy smallmouth return the shallows where they are most comfortable in cooling waters, and roam sand beaches.
Most smallmouth die-hards have September and October blocked off on their calendars as the best time to catch giants. Meanwhile, a select few do the same for November until waters freeze over, if the weather and fishery allow. From the world-renown Great Lakes fisheries to the inland waters across the north country, smallmouths are
As water temperatures gradually cool, the lakes eventually turn over. Smallmouths slide deeper to the point of wintering, and the tackle box closes. As these events simultaneously occur, my boat’s tackle selection lessens each week – and the majority of gear and tackle I’ve carried up to this point will no longer be needed.