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
Wednesday, 19 July 2023 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – Mid July 2023

  In unsurprising fashion, summer has been a blur. Been fishing lots, and traveling back and forth frequently since late May. I also got sick over Independence Day, which brought me down for a week. I recovered enough to return to the water last week.
Saturday, 01 July 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Tips for More Summer Smallmouths

  The most challenging, rewarding, and steady smallmouth fishing of the season takes place in summer. Depending on your whereabouts, patterns could be habitual or constant from year-to-year. They may revolve around good weather, peak feeding, or other additional factors.
Saturday, 01 July 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass

Northwoods SLOP!

  Slop. Junkweed. Floating weed mats. Pad fields. Several northern largemouth waters contain these plant life overgrowths. As the summer months proceed on, plant species sprout and flourish, fed by daily sunshine and nutrients seeping into the system. Through photosynthesis, they continue to grow as summer progresses.
Saturday, 01 July 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Crappie Fishing

Simply Crappies

  All throughout the Midwest, crappie anglers are superstars when fish are shallow, vulnerable, and abundant in spring. For a few weeks, everyone is catching them it seems, and it’ll be the only time of year they get targeted by the majority. But come summer, the game changes. The waters warm and shallows get vacated,
Saturday, 01 July 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass

Rise and Shine Largemouths

  Rise and shine! Multiple alarms sound off, prompting me to get out of bed. It’s 3am, and pitch-black outside. I sleep-walk into the kitchen, and fire up the coffee pot. To wake up and get my day started, I’ll need more than just a few copious cups of high-caffeinated coffee.
Friday, 30 June 2023 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – Early July 2023

  Hi everyone, fishing has remained good-to-great, as we enter the first days of July. I just got off the water this week, and evade the tourists. July holiday is the one week of the year I don’t want to be up north. Smallmouth fishing has remained good and above average. We didn’t focus on
Wednesday, 21 June 2023 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – Mid June 2023

  Bass have spawned long ago. The water temps are getting both high and low. The mayflies are hatching. And I finally got my boat back with new motor install done! What’s there not to like about middle of June fishing?
Monday, 12 June 2023 / Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

Fishing The Post-Spawn Flats

  When seeking quality post-spawn fish in June, I turn to the largest and deepest lakes in the region where we target their expansive flats and look for very good near-shore habitat.