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
Tuesday, 15 August 2023 / Published in Fishing Reports

Northwoods Bass Fishing Report – Mid August 2023

  Finally checking in with a report for the first time in three weeks! My favorite fishing partner (Mrs. Ragas) and I just concluded annual vacation week. We jumped a
Monday, 14 August 2023 / Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

A Swimbait Concoction for Open Water Smallmouths

  During the past decade, I’ve prioritized learning and focusing my time on open water fishing tactics for smallmouth bass. Prior to then, this was something I hadn’t done much
Friday, 04 August 2023 / Published in Largemouth Bass, Short Stories and Timely Tips

Hey Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!

  Frogs are fantastic baits in heavy vegetation. Utilizing a surface-running soft plastic frog around lily pads and atop mats of slop is exhilarating as bass come out of the
Tuesday, 01 August 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Rip Rap Smallmouth

  I tied on a red craw squarebill crankbait for my customer fishing at the bow, directing him to cast it parallel with and tight to the bank, and to
Tuesday, 01 August 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Largemouth Bass

Reptiles and Amphibians

  Opportunistic predators with voracious appetites, largemouth bass will eat whatever living creatures swim and slither atop matted weeds or across the lake’s surface. With our lakes gaining in weed
Tuesday, 01 August 2023 / Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass

Night Cranking

  It wanders erratically under a multitude of retrieve speeds and cadences. Its polycarbonate or circuit board lips are able to withstand the frequent punctures from digging into the hard,
Monday, 31 July 2023 / Published in Gear Reviews

The Z-Man Gobius™ swimbait

  Ladson, SC (July 9, 2023) – “Over the years, we’ve seen smallmouths turn completely away from traditional patterns and vital forage bases to focus single mindedly on round gobies,”
Friday, 21 July 2023 / Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass

Surface Smallmouths with Rapala’s X-Rap Pop

  Topwaters and surface baits, longtime bass fishing staples, are popular for smallmouths. They are hard to beat when surface activity is prevalent, the lakes are heating up from the