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
Regardless of the type of angler you are, our skills and statuses in fishing are always evolving and improving. A few years ago for example, one might have considered me an avid smallmouth angler who merely fishes a ton and writes articles. Now, that role has evolved into being actual licensed fishing guide who does
By Andrew Ragas A wise river rat once tipped me off with confidential information. His findings were so sensitive and accurate that if his intel was leaked, the river’s fragile smallmouth fishery and secrets could be exposed and put into peril. I was instructed to mark my calendar and prepare for this mass river migration