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
Monday, 09 May 2022 / Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips

Sunny Days Make for the Best Smallmouth Fishing

    Have you ever wondered why spring smallmouth fishing can be frustrating and challenging? On good weather days, fish are caught. On bad weather days, very little gets caught. It’s no secret that fish activity this time of year is all relative to sunlight!
Wednesday, 04 May 2022 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – Early May, 2022

  Up until the evening hours of May 2nd, I hadn’t made a single cast all year long. Such a lousy introduction to spring season it has been. The fishing however could get better very quickly now.
Monday, 02 May 2022 / Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips

Lipless Largemouth Bass

  Lipless crankbaits are one of the best solutions for conquering coldfronts and successful early spring bass fishing. With many lipless crankbaits featuring lifelike patterns and baitfish finishing, they are some of the most effective lures on the market to entice ferocious strikes.
Sunday, 01 May 2022 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Top River Fishing Tips for Spring Smallmouths

  River systems throughout the upper Midwest can offer some of the best and most exciting bass fishing in spring. Depending on its fishery, action and trophies can both be possible on a near daily basis.
Sunday, 01 May 2022 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Mistake-Free Smallmouth Fishing

  Perfection isn’t an action. It’s a habit of meticulousness guided through fundamental process. As anglers, we can expect better of ourselves on the water on a daily basis so the next day of fishing is better than the last. To accomplish mistake-free fishing, we must learn from our past mistakes.
Sunday, 01 May 2022 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouths on Point

  Whether fishing a lake for the first time, or for the thousandth time, visiting its points is a shortcut to immediate fishing success. These topographical lake structures provide smallmouths with a multitude of benefits that are essential for feeding, homing, and survival.
Monday, 25 April 2022 / Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallie Blog

Springtime Excellence with Rapala X-Raps

  When smallmouth bass are staging for the spawn, I consider a suspending jerkbait the ultimate lure. It’s the first thing I turn to before anything else. Smallmouths aren’t on top and they aren’t on the bottom. They want to eat as they prepare for the spawn, but the water is still pretty cold so
Monday, 18 April 2022 / Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips

Suspending Jerkbaits for Pre-Spawn Smallmouths

  Early spring beckons jerkbaits from tackle trays on lakes all over the country. Smallmouth bass find suspending jerkbaits difficult to resist as they stage to spawn.