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, 01 October 2024 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

How Late into the Fall is Still Good?

  “Assuming it’s safe to get out there, how late in the year is smallmouth fishing still potentially good?” asked a Lake Ontario-based angler, at one of the many Facebook smallmouth fishing pages I follow behind the scenes.
Wednesday, 25 September 2024 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – Mid and Late September, 2024

  The fishing is HOT as of late. So hot (aside from 70’s and 80’s air temps) that from Tuesday of last week when it hit 86 in the afternoon thru Sunday the 22nd when it dropped to 55, the boat captured 5 new customer PB’s and 17 fish were 20 inches and greater. In
Monday, 23 September 2024 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass, Short Stories and Timely Tips

Feast on Fall Largemouths

  Similar to spring, fall in the northwoods is short and condensed. Between summer and winter, we sometimes get only a week or two of transition time between the seasons. Feeding windows are also shorter and closing.
Monday, 16 September 2024 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

Paddletails for Pre-Turnover Smallmouths

  Prior to turnover, paddletails and swimbaits dominate. When this bite peaks, the boat goes through 2 or more packages of tails per day.
Monday, 09 September 2024 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

Horizontally September

  As water temperatures gradually cool, the lakes eventually turn over, and smallmouths slide deeper to the point of wintering, the tackle box closes. As these events simultaneously occur, my boat’s tackle selection lessens each week – and the majority of gear and tackle I’ve carried up to this point will no longer be needed.
Sunday, 08 September 2024 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – Early September, 2024

  My favorite fishing partner (Mrs. Ragas) and I just concluded annual vacation week. A lot of the same patterns we experienced and observed from the other week will carry over again into this week, as it appears warm weather is here to stay for another while.
Sunday, 01 September 2024 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

The Features of Flats

  Trip after trip, and the later we got into September month, the smallmouth bite was steadily improving it seemed.
Sunday, 01 September 2024 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Simply Smallmouths

  We’ve all observed that guy shore fishing from the river bank, or standing at the front deck of his boat, who’s brought with him all the gear he owns. He’s got so much shit laying around everywhere, that he doesn’t know what to do. You’d wonder whether he has a hoarding problem, or didn’t