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, 13 April 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Gear Reviews, Smallmouth Bass

River Smallmouths with Z-Man’s Chatterbait WillowVibe

  Faux summer this week has the fish woken up and hungry.  A few of you saw my post from last night on my Facebook page. Here’s a recap of
Monday, 10 April 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!

  After ice-out, smallmouth undertake structural migrations from wintering sites to their staging locations, utilizing the lake’s contours and breaklines as their trail in order to reach these temporary destinations.
Saturday, 01 April 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouths the Northwoods Way

  “Andrew, what’s your favorite lure of all-time for catching smallmouths?” my readers and customers most frequently ask.
Saturday, 01 April 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Starting Lineup for Spring Smallmouths

  Across many northern waters, smallmouth activity begins immediately after ice-out. Where catch and release-only regulations are implemented in Michigan and Wisconsin, it’s now possible to target smallmouths in spring
Saturday, 01 April 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Rippin’ Rap Smallmouths

  Winter relents. Spring creeps in. Ice has finished melting, and we have open water once again. At this time, smallmouths are schooling together and stacked; programmed to undergo structural
Monday, 27 March 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass, Short Stories and Timely Tips

Mud Bottoms and Shallow Largemouths

  Specific lake locations that conduct heat are instrumental in scoring early season bass fishing success. The areas that warm quickest are determined by underwater structure and the lake’s geography.
Monday, 20 March 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass, Short Stories and Timely Tips

Alternative Cover for Largemouths

  When emergent weed growth fails to sprout in spring, largemouths seek and favor alternative habitats and sources of cover. In recent seasons, this has become the scenario and common
Thursday, 16 March 2023 / Published in Fishing Reports

2023 Fishing Itinerary

Here is a complete itinerary of the type of fishing we could be doing during the 2023 fishing season.