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
Tuesday, 05 November 2019 / Published in Gear Reviews

Top Smallmouth Bass Baits of 2019

By Andrew Ragas At the end of every season, I reveal the secret baits that caught the most fish for customers and I. Now that my 2019 bass fishing season has concluded, we glance back at the dominating baits and presentations that screamed success for big fish this year. Revisiting the old, consistent standbys from
Monday, 04 November 2019 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – End of Year 2019

Winter and ice came early again this year! I remember when open water fishing deep into the month of November was once possible and comfortable to do. We’ve endured brutal fall seasons and rapid cold conclusions these last two years.
Tuesday, 08 October 2019 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report September & October 2019

Fall season 2019 has treated us very well. September from mid to end of month was excellent most days, and now in early October the fishing is getting better! Good bites will continue through the end of month, and my season will conclude then. I’m off the water now until October 20th.
Thursday, 05 September 2019 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report, End of Summer 2019

Summer season has come and gone. For me personally, it was a blur. From early July through mid August I barely got to enjoy it. Now that wedding season is over with, I’ve finally returned to my normally scheduled programming; fishing! Since the end of August, lots of changes have been taking place in the
Thursday, 05 September 2019 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Tackling Turnover to Catching Fall Footballs

The most popular weekend pastimes of autumn are Sunday football and hunting. While majority of fishermen have already winterized their boats, the most serious anglers remain on water, utilizing the fall season for targeting their biggest fish of the year.
Tuesday, 03 September 2019 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Vertical Jigging for Fall Smallmouth

By Andrew Ragas Fall fishing success is usually determined by location rather than presentation. Lake smallmouth are deep structurally oriented fish in fall. By now 90% of the entire lake’s bass population is living in 10% of the lake, in and around wintering locations. The best peak period of autumn occurs after the completion of
Sunday, 04 August 2019 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report, late July and early August, 2019

  Summer season has been a blur. July flew by, and here we are in early August. As of late, we’ve had some very good days on the water, and some poorer days on the water. This has all been relative to lake choices, preference of species, and fishing style. Smallmouth have been belligerent and
Monday, 29 July 2019 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Onboard and Offshore

By Andrew Ragas During summer’s dog days, some anglers give up on smallmouth bass. Others, meanwhile, are too stubborn to change their fishing ways. “I’m a shallow water guy,” boasted the angler launching his $80k rig before me one morning last August. “If I can’t catch them beating the bank, I’m probably not going to