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
Depending on where in the Midwest you live, the arrival of spring varies. The season can begin as early as late February. In most regions, not until mid-March through early April. And in the far northern states, early to mid-May. It all depends on the arrival of warming weather and the progression of ice-melt.
For spring smallmouths, suspending jerkbaits have become staples for most anglers. Nearly everyone has one, or a few, rigged up on deck. They are the ticket to early spring success. Few other baits can catch early spring smallmouths better. While many of them catch fish immediately out from the package, some can require simple
Bass fishing is not immune to trends and traffic. Some hold up to pressure and exploitation, while most of them do not. And their fisheries are cyclical as well, peaking and declining as a result of the intense fishing pressure received and its slew of aftershocks – several derbies and tournaments, fish relocation, delayed
Shallow water cover fishing and largemouth extraction calls for power fishing with heavier rod and reel set-ups and braided lines. With casting targets abound, the major strategy will be pitching and flipping jigs and plastics into the cover. If you plan to cover water throughout shallow bays and along shorelines, the secondary strategy will
