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
Friday, 27 October 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Suspense

  Ladson, SC (August 15, 2023) – A lone ship in the emptiness of outer space, your boat seems lost, disoriented, far from shore. Like throwing darts at stars, your first exploratory casts into the open abyss feel like a fruitless leap of faith. Thankfully, you’ve learned a thing or two about pelagic baitfish—oily, nutritious
Monday, 23 October 2023 / Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

Drought and Drawdown Smallmouths

  Drought and drawdown-plagued waterways present obstacles to finding and catching fish. Welcome to 2023 on the Wisconsin River system. Whether due to drought or it’s the annual fall drawdown, many anglers fishing rivers and reservoirs for smallmouth are challenged by these situations.
Friday, 20 October 2023 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – Mid October, 2023

  Thank goodness! Good fishing is finally being had. It’s been a rough “autumn” (I mean fake summer) up until last week. And ever since our last two cold-fronts and cool-downs, things have finally come around for most fish species! It’s big fish only right now.
Monday, 16 October 2023 / Published in Gear Reviews, Smallmouth Bass

Swimbaits You Need This Fall

  During fall’s entirety, paddletails and swimbaits dominate. When this bite peaks, the boat goes through 2 or more packages of tails per day.
Monday, 09 October 2023 / Published in Gear Reviews, Smallmouth Bass

Finesse Football Jigs for Fall

  I stumbled onto this fish catcher back in 2019 while perusing some smallmouth bass fishing pages on Facebook. As a football jig enthusiast and hoarder, I am glad I checked out a new product that I found works so well on our crayfish infested northwoods lakes.
Sunday, 01 October 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Multi-Tasking Fall Smallmouths

  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
Sunday, 01 October 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

LIVE! Nude Minnows

  “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
Wednesday, 27 September 2023 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – End of September, 2023

  These last few weeks have been tough and challenging. We’re not getting the cooldowns we need, and this is NOT what we had expected. This month has been the most difficult fishing we’ve had all year up to this point.