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, 20 June 2024 / Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

Selecting for Specimens

  The first assignment for this challenge is identifying the true trophy bass lakes that have viable populations of smallmouths weighing 5 lbs. or more. Many inland northern waters throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan that are managed for trophy fisheries, and have special management regulations, qualify in this respect.
Monday, 17 June 2024 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Fish Finders

  Nothing is simpler on the water than slinging a search lure and catching whatever bites. My fish-finding strategy is all about getting paddletails to wiggle, shimmy, and swim lively throughout the entire water column on a medium to steady retrieve.
Thursday, 13 June 2024 / Published in Gear Reviews, Largemouth Bass

ChatterBait Creators Unveil Refined ElaZtech Trailer

  Ladson, SC (June 13, 2024) – The tail tells the story. It’s the instrument empowering baitfish escape acts; a visual profile that incites emphatic strikes. Underwater, this muscular, razor thin appendage ripples, fans and kicks continuously. In its wake, the tail leaves little breadcrumbs, unique undulations and a sound signature that speaks the language
Monday, 03 June 2024 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Surface Snacks for the Mayfly Hatch

  Calm humid nights preceding warm windless mornings in mid-June cultivate the greatest aquatic food chain reaction feeding phenomenon of the year – the mayfly hatch.
Saturday, 01 June 2024 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Reading the River

  A river doesn’t just carry water – It carries life. To smallmouths and all other fish species residing in them, a river’s water level and flow rate will dictate their seasonal migrations, locations, habitats, feeding, and all other variables to the fish-catching formula you could think of!  
Saturday, 01 June 2024 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Gear Reviews, Smallmouth Bass

Best Z-Man Colors for Northwoods Lakes

  “It’s a crime to not have the PB&J Finesse TRD!” scolded one guide customer. “The Deal in any bait is solid in clear water,” added another. “I may second The Deal, but Green Pumpkin gets bit in every situation. And also, the Motor Oil Diezel Minnow is absolute money,” revealed one more. From Smelt
Wednesday, 22 May 2024 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – Mid and Late May 2024

  Another week of excellent fishing has concluded. Compared to most other reports and angler feedback I could gather, we did exceptionally well. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday were each very good days. That means just 1 day sucked.
Monday, 20 May 2024 / Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

Attacking Staging Sites

  At this time, smallmouths are schooling together and stacked; programmed to undertake structural migrations to where they will stage and set-up in preparation for their spawn which could be any day now.