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
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
By Andrew Ragas Smallmouth bass and rusty crayfish in northwoods inland lakes are on a collision course every summer. This predator and prey interaction often utilizes the same lake and river locations for habitat and feeding. Their connection as predator and prey is strong and unique, and shapes the ecosystems and food chains of ever
By Andrew Ragas Topwaters and surface baits, longtime bass fishing staples at night, are popular for smallmouths. They are hard to beat when surface activity is prevalent, the lakes are heating up from the sunlight above, and insect hatches take place. When either of these conditions are in play, topwaters often get eaten quickly, and
By Andrew Ragas Every year, our northern lakes swarm with mayflies. The hatch is considered a negative and detriment to summertime bass fishermen who fail to produce good results. While the lake’s entire food chain becomes temporarily imbalanced from this natural forage abundance, and fixated on it, the prevalence of mayflies rising from the lake’s
By Andrew Ragas Meteorology is the study of atmospheric science, the calculated process in which scientists and weather experts forecast and predict future and incoming weather. Meteorology influences fishing every day and in every way, from all fish and underwater life to our own fishing activity. When preparing for a day’s fishing trip planning according
By Andrew Ragas Big smallmouth bass are wise creatures that have been around the block several times before. As my primary target species and specialty year-round, most 20 inch bass we catch and release from the inland lakes of northern Wisconsin are irreplaceable 20 year old fish that are the most valuable members of the
By Andrew Ragas Friday nights through Sunday nights are what some fishing die-hards have to live for. Every weekend is a quick fishing vacation that occurs four times a month. Pack the vehicle and boat Thursday night, and show up to work Friday. Productivity level is low, but anticipation level and excitement is high. When