Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures

Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures Northern Wisconsin’s top trophy producing bass fishing guide service & online informational resource.

Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures, LLC is Wisconsin's top trophy producing bass fishing guide service and bass fishing informational resource. Located in Minocqua, Wisconsin, Andrew Ragas fishes the waters of Vilas, Oneida, Iron and Forest Counties exclusively for trophy bass, and looks forward to hosting you. SCHEDULE YOUR FISHING TRIP WITH US TODAY!

100% CATCH AND RELEASE POLICY

Northwoods Ba

ss is Wisconsin's number-1 resource for world-class smallmouth bass fishing information, education, entertainment, conservation, and angling instruction.

You might recognize this individual on the cover of this month’s issue of Midwest Outdoors Magazine (if you subscribe vi...
03/03/2025

You might recognize this individual on the cover of this month’s issue of Midwest Outdoors Magazine (if you subscribe via print or digitally).

🤓🙌

03/03/2025

Beginning March 26th each of our Bass Cocktail Hour sessions will start a half hour earlier than usual. 7:30pm to 8:30/9pm time slot.

MARCH NEWSLETTER OUT THIS WEEK !!!!Lots and lots of spring fishing topics will be addressed in this one.Subscribe to the...
03/03/2025

MARCH NEWSLETTER OUT THIS WEEK !!!!

Lots and lots of spring fishing topics will be addressed in this one.

Subscribe to the Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures monthly newsletter. Get the news and important fishing information delivered to your e-mail.

Subscribe to Northwoods Bass - Subscribe to the Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures monthly newsletter. Get the news and important fishing information delivered by email FREE.

I posted this story 2 weeks ago as our first entry of the year. Sometimes it's really cool and refreshing to talk about ...
02/28/2025

I posted this story 2 weeks ago as our first entry of the year. Sometimes it's really cool and refreshing to talk about the things that went down several years ago and haven't been able to get replicated ever since.

I caught a 100 pound+ sack that day.

It was a day of legends. An oral history on the greatest day of smallmouth fishing I’ve ever had.

Pearl, Smelt and Sexy Shad
02/28/2025

Pearl, Smelt and Sexy Shad

What color would they hit in your neck of the woods?

Hi everybody, figured I share some updates. Sorry for being quiet. Work very busy right now. 1 - Bass classes for Februa...
02/20/2025

Hi everybody, figured I share some updates. Sorry for being quiet. Work very busy right now.

1 - Bass classes for February have been published to website this week. Our first installments of the 2025 season are now online. Yay.....

2 - Bass Cocktail Hours return in March 2025. I have not looked at dates yet, but plan on Thursday nighters 8pm's again. Figure we start this by March Madness and will run till walleye opener weekend. Thursday game nights will get moved to Wednesday nights those weeks.

3 - End of Feb / March Newsletter next week (hopefully). Long overdue for one.

4 - I have no ETA on ice out, and I am not a betting man. Still hoping for end of April. Despite that, I have excellent dates available all throughout May, so time to get those reservations in before things fill up.

5 - I will not be giving any seminars this winter, spring, or at all this year. Sorry. Everything will be conveniently happening within the comforts and confines of my office via. Bass Cocktail Hours and thru northwoodsbass.com

With March and spring fishing on the horizon I will be getting much more active on here and thru the website. I am eager to start thinking more fishing too.

GET DIGITAL ACCESS - https://www.northwoodsbass.com/subscribe/

SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER - https://www.northwoodsbass.com/newsletter/

BOOK YOUR 2025 TRIP - https://www.northwoodsbass.com/contact-us/

BOOK YOUR FISHING TRIP TODAY! - Please completely fill out my reservation form. The more information you can provide, the better I can put us on fish when it comes to your trip day.

Was in the office this weekend shooting photos for upcoming stories. Swim Jig SZN is coming soon…..www.northwoodsbass.co...
02/10/2025

Was in the office this weekend shooting photos for upcoming stories. Swim Jig SZN is coming soon…..

www.northwoodsbass.com

Take advantage of Z-Man Fishing Products FEBRUARY 2025 PROMO - All Diezel MinnowZ are 20% OFFI see the world's greatest ...
02/06/2025

Take advantage of Z-Man Fishing Products FEBRUARY 2025 PROMO - All Diezel MinnowZ are 20% OFF

I see the world's greatest color - MOTOR OIL - is temporarily sold out.

Unparalleled softness, action, and ElaZtech® durability merge to create the most bulletproof swimbait on the market. Inspired by Z-Man's renowned three-inch MinnowZ™, fresh- and saltwater anglers alike will find that the DieZel MinnowZ™'s hook slot and split dorsal fin provide easy w**d...

Hey everybody, back on the mend. I was sicker than hell for the past two weeks with virus. It was brutal. I have resumed...
02/06/2025

Hey everybody, back on the mend. I was sicker than hell for the past two weeks with virus. It was brutal. I have resumed writing again and will have our first bass class installments of 2025 published to the website soon. Lots of spring season content underway.

Standby for an upcoming newsletter too. Content worth emailing about is getting developed.

GET DIGITAL ACCESS - https://www.northwoodsbass.com/subscribe/

SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER - https://www.northwoodsbass.com/newsletter/

BOOK YOUR 2025 TRIP - https://www.northwoodsbass.com/contact-us/

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK AND READ PREMIUM CONTENT - Membership based online instruction. Access to exclusive articles, fishing reports, stories, and more!

A handful of years ago I got bashed and threatened for pointing out the amount of dead bass I’d find on some lakes withi...
01/24/2025

A handful of years ago I got bashed and threatened for pointing out the amount of dead bass I’d find on some lakes within a week following a derby.

I’ve stopped paying attention and calling it out because it’s a sickening amount.

But everyone should just keep on doing what they do. They swam away 👏👏👏👏

Delayed mortality

This occurs when a fish dies after being released. It occurs for several reasons like being placed on dry surfaces (bacterial infections) or from being held in a livewell too long (ammonia poisoning & oxygen stress)

Did you see the conversation I had with head biologist Jason Dotson from FWC. (On YouTube) He conducted a study and saw 50-70% mortality rates of bass after fishing tournaments. You would think that would be a shocking wake up for bass fishermen. I guarantee you most guys will question the science to avoid looking at the fact their fish handling is killing bass slowly

“But it swam away just fine” 🤣 Whenever you hear that statement just understand that guy doesn’t understand anything about delayed mortality. Which means they don’t understand much about fish

SPRING TRIPS UPDATE / REMAINING DATESHi everyone - I am having a hectic January at desk job but needed to post an update...
01/20/2025

SPRING TRIPS UPDATE / REMAINING DATES

Hi everyone - I am having a hectic January at desk job but needed to post an update on remaining spring dates:

May 2025 remaining dates - 14-15-16-17-18-19-20

Depending on ice out, we will be going the week of April 28th (and hopefully sooner) too. TBD. April 29-30-May 1-2, 5-6 will be each available.

Until then, happy hibernating. Stay warm today and tomorrow.....

www.northwoodsbass.com
[email protected]

While the St. Croix Rods Legend Tournament pike rod comes in a wide variety of lengths, powers, and actions there is one...
01/08/2025

While the St. Croix Rods Legend Tournament pike rod comes in a wide variety of lengths, powers, and actions there is one rod I have specifically fished with these last two seasons – The Slop-N-Tail.

Approximately 7ft3in and with a MHM action, the Slop-N-Tail is built for handling surface baits and bucktails, but it can really throw anything with comfort up to the 1.5 to 2-ounce range. This heavy moderate fast power rod at approximately 7 feet 3 inches has been avidly working 5 to 7-inch swimbaits and twitch baits for most of this year.

Watch Video - https://youtu.be/1puRxXAMuoI?si=CH5ay_p19NU8KfWU

Read full review - https://www.northwoodsbass.com/legend-tournament-pike-rods/

The best pike rod on the market today, the St. Croix Legend Tournament Pike is available in 12 unique models. Here we review the 7-foot 3-inch SLOP-N-TAIL.

Can't wait for this TV segment to air later in 2025.
01/07/2025

Can't wait for this TV segment to air later in 2025.

MidWest Outdoors TV airs on several stations throughout the Midwest and nationwide. Find a station and time in your area with this handy TV Guide. This hawg hunt will air sometime in summer 2025.

Here's what to expect when fishing with us in 2025. Use this guide as your trip planner and scheduler too.
01/07/2025

Here's what to expect when fishing with us in 2025. Use this guide as your trip planner and scheduler too.

Use this guide as a reference for 2025 fishing trips with Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures, LLC. Please contact me directly to make your reservations by e-mail, or telephone.

As a new year begins shortly at midnight, I want to express my deepest thanks to you - my anglers, readers, page followe...
01/01/2025

As a new year begins shortly at midnight, I want to express my deepest thanks to you - my anglers, readers, page followers and website visitors. Your support in the form of trip bookings, a digital subscription, email newsletter signup, and just simply contacting me at random for an inquiry or info has made 2024 an enjoyable and motivating fishing year. I am thankful to take people fishing for my favorite fish, and for your engagement!

2025 will be my 10th year of doing this. When it began, I thought the novelty of it would eventually wear off - it has not. Whether you’ve been with me in the boat from the start, recently discovered Northwoods Bass, are longing for a fishing trip and big fish, or have been a lurker from afar, your presence and interest is kindly appreciated.

As we turn the page on 2024, I hope you find peace and joy with loved ones, good health, and personally prosper to new heights.

As we also look forward to the next year, take a minute tonight to reflect on your blessings (and count them) and take a moment to remember all who are also no longer with us. I really wish we still had a few fishing dignitaries and family members who were still here.

For this upcoming year, I remain committed to putting you on your personal bests and educating on bass…. creating more fishing content…. writing timely and seasonally relevant articles and reports….. and continuing with the newsletter (January installment sometime next week?)

Fishing is fun. Cheers to you and yours 🍻

www.northwoodsbass.com

Because 2024 was impressive also for largemouth bass, the lures that caught our big fish deserved a story. You should wa...
12/27/2024

Because 2024 was impressive also for largemouth bass, the lures that caught our big fish deserved a story. You should want to try these top largemouth bass lures and the fishing methods we’ve shared for next year.

https://www.northwoodsbass.com/the-best-largemouth-bass-lures-of-2024/

Get Article Access - https://www.northwoodsbass.com/subscribe/

The best largemouth bass lures from the 2024 fishing season. Best Jig: Freedom Tackle FT Structure; Best Hardbait: Z-Man Chatterbait Elite EVO; Best Soft Plastic

Address

Minocqua, WI

Telephone

+17082562201

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures:

Videos

In the lab. Shooting some media for upcoming stories that will be only available at www.northwoodsbass.com

TW Black Friday sale week
TW Black Friday sale week

TW Black Friday sale week - It’s a good time to stock up on odds and ends. This was swimmer heavy. My new favorite plastic paddletails (Non Z-Man elaztech) are XZone Lures and Big Bite Baits. Both exceed most everything I’ve been throwing prior. Berkley Cull Shads catch el gigantes. Wait till you see what happened on Midwest Outdoors next summer 😮 #wintersucks

THE October 2024 Newsletter has been sent out. Please check inboxes and spam boxes for this latest installment. Happy reading! Not a Subscriber? Join here - https://www.northwoodsbass.com/newsletter/

This week’s video check-in and a current report and other state of affairs. Thanks to all who’ve come aboard the Ranger and had great trips for the past month. Turnover time is (mostly) here…..

Bass Bling - Fall transition and turnover time is here and that means my tackle selection becomes greatly reduced. Bring your artificials, but also get those livebait setups ready in case you want to drop some hard working suckers and chubs beneath the boat and also pretend to musky fish like I do 😉 www.northwoodsbass.com

Good morning and it’s been a while since I’ve done a video report !

Lots of PB’s this week
Lots of PB’s this week

Michael scores his PB, and is in disbelief. It’s been that kind of week for every angler. This week’s report will get posted online in the next few days. www.northwoodsbass.com

Shortcuts

Share

Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures, LLC

The waters surrounding the Minocqua, WI lakeland region teem with largemouth and smallmouth bass. The mission of this specialty guide service is to showcase Wisconsin's Northwoods as a premier world-class bass fishing destination. With our trophy regulated and well-managed inland lakes now populated with more big fish than ever before, we invite you to join us on our big fish adventure of catching, conserving, and chronicling the trophy smallmouth bass of Northern Wisconsin.

Our guided fishing trips and northwoods tours are committed to providing the most successful, informative and educational fishing experience possible. Bass anglers who fish with me (newbies, veterans, or pros, whichever you choose to be) will learn how to locate, approach, and catch smallmouth bass and largemouth bass on our region’s waters. Catching and releasing big smallmouths is each day’s mission, but cannot be made possible without the desire to learn and become a better bass angler. I will teach you my game, and how to fish at a level to succeed.

When hosting guests for smallmouth fishing, I don’t have a preference with whom I am fishing with. I enjoy fishing with men, women, and children who have a passion for fishing, a willingness to learn, and want to experience a day in my life as a northwoods bass angler.

I preach open-mindedness and positive attitude to all guests who fish with me. Despite my high standards, I also keep expectations realistic, as not every day will be as good as a weekend fishing TV show. For instance, some days of fishing are better than others. Each lake also contains more or less fish than the other, or smaller or bigger fish than the other.