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
Monday, 12 June 2023 / Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

Fishing The Post-Spawn Flats

  When seeking quality post-spawn fish in June, I turn to the largest and deepest lakes in the region where we target their expansive flats and look for very good near-shore habitat.
Monday, 05 June 2023 / Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

Soft Jerkbaits for Smallmouths

  When it comes to jerkbait fishing, smallmouth anglers should always bring a handful of soft bait minnows for the party. Equally effective for smallmouths, and sometimes even better depending on fish activity levels, soft jerkbaits in the fluke style can be fished with the same cadence as a hard jerkbait to draw strikes. It
Friday, 02 June 2023 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – Late May & Early June 2023

  Due to my bad luck and continued boat blunders, I spent more time on land than on water this spring. It was excruciatingly brutal. The good news is, starting June 10th we are back in business. Despite this recent downtime and re-charge, I spent about a week fishing throughout the northwoods – on solo
Thursday, 01 June 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Catch Smallmouths Quickly

  By Andrew Ragas – with Cory Schmidt Time – (noun) is the continued sequence of existence and events that occurs in irreversible succession from the past, through the present, into the future. It is a component quantity in material reality or in the conscious experience. It’s also the single greatest fishing tool to have.
Thursday, 01 June 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass, Muskie Fishing

Favorite Plant Species

  Across most North American waters, aquatic plant species form the foundation of healthy and flourishing underwater ecosystems. Underwater vegetation will not only protect water quality and lead to healthier habitats, but they also produce life-giving oxygen and play host to several fish species.
Thursday, 01 June 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass

Tips for Bigger Summer Largemouths

  No creature is wiser, wittier, and more deceptive than a trophy largemouth bass is. Once summer peak settles in, which for me is by mid-July, my bass fishing desires and motivation revolve greatly around the whereabouts of big largemouths.
Monday, 15 May 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass

High Water Strategies for Largemouths

  With over 100-plus inches of snowfall this winter, I would expect high water fishing and its strategies to be in everyone’s bass fishing considerations these next several weeks. Here’s the deal of what happens as largemouths are eager to push into newly formed flooded shoreline habitats.
Tuesday, 09 May 2023 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – Early May 2023

  Hoping everyone is having far better luck than I am OFF the water – We’ll get to those details down towards the very bottom of this post. Regarding the fishing, it’s been going well!