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
Thursday, 01 June 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass, Muskie Fishing

Favorite Plant Species

  Across most North American waters, aquatic plant species form the foundation of healthy and flourishing underwater ecosystems. Underwater vegetation will not only protect water quality and lead to healthier habitats, but they also produce life-giving oxygen and play host to several fish species.
Thursday, 01 June 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass

Tips for Bigger Summer Largemouths

  No creature is wiser, wittier, and more deceptive than a trophy largemouth bass is. Once summer peak settles in, which for me is by mid-July, my bass fishing desires and motivation revolve greatly around the whereabouts of big largemouths.
Monday, 15 May 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass

High Water Strategies for Largemouths

  With over 100-plus inches of snowfall this winter, I would expect high water fishing and its strategies to be in everyone’s bass fishing considerations these next several weeks. Here’s the deal of what happens as largemouths are eager to push into newly formed flooded shoreline habitats.
Tuesday, 09 May 2023 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – Early May 2023

  Hoping everyone is having far better luck than I am OFF the water – We’ll get to those details down towards the very bottom of this post. Regarding the fishing, it’s been going well!
Monday, 08 May 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

Rivers and Flowages for Spring Smallmouths

  Each spring, I preach fishing waters that warm fastest. To catch potentially the most active fish, and to tap into premier smallmouth fisheries whose populations are further and deeper established into the spawning season, I always fish and guide on the larger river systems and their flowages to begin the season.
Wednesday, 03 May 2023 / Published in Gear Reviews

Hair Jig Smallmouth with St. Croix Rods

  Finesse fishing for smallmouths has ignited angler interest. More anglers are turning to long spinning rod and high-capacity reel set-ups for achieving long casts with light line presentations for early spring smallmouths.
Monday, 01 May 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Microwaves

  Last May (May 15, 2022) on one of northern Wisconsin’s largest inland lakes, my customers and I launched to chilly 45-degree water temperatures. Cold water be damned, we weren’t going to let it prevent us a good day. Despite the lake’s cold water, what we had working in our favor soon after was sunshine
Monday, 01 May 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Top Spring Smallmouth Patterns and Tactics

  Ice melt is ongoing as we speak. Some lakes such as mid-size lakes, flowages, and river systems are open and ready to go, while the largest waterbodies will be opening within the coming few days. Undoubtedly, the best few weeks of the year are now here.