Published articles by Andrew Ragas. The most comprehensive bass fishing library for Wisconsin bass fishing and across the Midwest.
Smallmouth Audibles
Monday, 01 July 2024
Calling an audible is a term in football, referring to when the quarterback has to change a play at the last minute in response to how the opposing team is lining up. Usually, the quarterback doesn’t like what he sees. This last-minute strategy change is dependent upon his ability to read the opponent, and
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass
The Best Fishing Boat Upgrades
Monday, 01 July 2024
Today’s marine market has priced out most serious anglers and consumers. Whether seeking an aluminum deep-V or flat bottom jon, or a fiberglass bass boat or multi-species hull, acquiring any boat type from every manufacturer is expensive, as will be the cost of its ownership. To buy a new boat nowadays, one must have
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Gear Reviews
Smallmouth Fish Finders
Monday, 17 June 2024
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.
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass
Surface Snacks for the Mayfly Hatch
Monday, 03 June 2024
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.
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass
Reading the River
Saturday, 01 June 2024
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!
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass
Best Z-Man Colors for Northwoods Lakes
Saturday, 01 June 2024
“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
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Gear Reviews, Smallmouth Bass
River Smallmouths Close to Home
Monday, 06 May 2024
Wherever you live in the Midwest, I’m willing to bet a fortune there’s a major river system located a drive away that’s teeming with big smallmouths. If you’re willing to explore and find them, prepare yourself for some life-changing events and newfound fishing addictions.
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass
Spring Largemouth Hot Spots
Wednesday, 01 May 2024
Up here, the seasons can change in a flash and weather patterns evolve quickly. As lake surface temperatures slightly warm, bass instinctively sense these changes and go on the move.
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass
Top Spring Largemouth Patterns and Tactics
Wednesday, 01 May 2024
We’re well past ice-out, and by now anglers have greater open water fishing opportunities presenting themselves. Ponds, flowages, drainage lakes, backwaters, swamps, rivers, and channels would be such places to start looking at.
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass