Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures

02/10/2025

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

www.northwoodsbass.com

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...

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/

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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

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]

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.

01/08/2025

Has anybody else seen this happen before? Our big fish that day were piled up within a hundred yards of where walleyes get dumped in from - the boat landing.

Read Here - https://www.northwoodsbass.com/walleye-stocking-failures-or-just-very-smart-smallmouths/

Watch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnKL7MPzHVs

Is this a Wisconsin walleye stocking failure? Or just very smart smallmouths taking advantage of a food supply? Back in October, most Vilas County, Wisconsin...

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.

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.

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

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

12/24/2024

May the spirit of Christmas overcome the chaos of the modern world. So many blessings bestowed upon us, and may peace forever fill your soul.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. Enjoy your holiday spent with family and loved ones.

From mine to yours 🌲 ❄️

www.northwoodsbass.com

12/22/2024

Just a heads up that spring trips are already getting reserved by anglers. This is the time of winter to get the best dates and lock in.

Go here: https://www.northwoodsbass.com/availability-calendar/

Contact to schedule and plan your 2025 trips with Northwoods Bass. No deposits due until after Jan 1st!

www.northwoodsbass.com
[email protected]
Tel - 7082562201

Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures specializes in smallmouth bass and largemouth bass fishing trips in Vilas, Oneida, Iron, and Forest Counties. Based in Minocqua, Wisconsin.

12/17/2024

Appreciation post -

Due to how good and kind 2024 was for us, I could make at least 5 more of these collages depicting all the big, quality bass we caught this year.

Each day of fishing in my boat brings high expectations and very high standards. My objectives are for you to catch, and for me to navigate the boat, put you on the spots, and instruct and educate (and coach you up some!). Whether or not you caught a giant bass with me that day, I’m sure you returned home with a new outlook on fishing, information you can apply on your own, and acquired more knowledge and intellect that will make you a better angler for your next trip(s).

2024 was an outstanding year on big fish. From ice out until mid November, we were on them weekly and often daily. My success is measured by the number of 20-inchers we catch - that's just how I am programmed. The total below:

Smallmouths: 63 (20" and larger)
Largemouths: 34 (from 19 to 21.5")

What made this year stand out: No dinking around. We fished quality waters almost daily. Love the challenge and everyone's willingness for lesser bites. Next, early ice out helped to prolong the spring feeding, but by mid May the bass all wanted to begin nesting. Luckily we had great fishing in April. Good fishing continued into summer, but we had far too many days that were horribly windy or uncomfortably flat calm. Summer was great that daily conditions became repetitive and consistent - more largemouth trips in summer, please. Fall was the best of them all, with the prolonged season. We caught the most big smallmouths from Labor Day thru early November. If you continue fishing with me, we have prioritized the fall months.

Biggest bass of the year were dandies. Several 5 pounders, including 1 topping 6.

2024 Biggest Fish of the Year Awards
-----------------------------------------

Biggest Smallmouth (by length) – 22", Jesse Raymaker May 2024

Heaviest Smallmouth - 21.5" Mike Loehr (5.7 #) October 2024

Heaviest Smallmouth #2 (bc the guide don't count) – 21.75" #6.19 Andrew Ragas October 2024

Biggest Largemouth – (2) at 21.5" Andrew Ragas April 2024

New Customer PB’s – 18

Priceless photos, video, and memories. So awesome.

www.northwoodsbass.com

12/13/2024

An absolute masterclass on best lures from 2024. Several newcomers made the list.

Learn the where's, when's, and why's and how each of them contributed to the catch. Some of them accounted for new customer PB's, or just simply shattered a boat record or two.

Whether the goal is a trophy or numbers, you should want to try some of these smallmouth bass baits and tactics for next year.

The best smallmouth bass lures from the 2024 fishing season. Best Swimbait: Z-Man Diezel MinnowZ; Best Jig: Beast Coast OW Sniper Jig; Best Hardbait: Z-Man Chatterbait Elite EVO

12/12/2024

Spring trips are highly sought after due to high probability for big fish, numbers days, and quality trophy outings. We are now booking spring dates, and fingers crossed we can get out starting in late April. All spring trips (ice out thru May) are full day.

You may visit the online calendar to see availability & openings, and the weeks we are planning to fish in 2025.

Go here: https://www.northwoodsbass.com/availability-calendar/

Contact to schedule and plan your 2025 trips with Northwoods Bass. No deposits due until after Jan 1st!

www.northwoodsbass.com
[email protected]
Tel - 7082562201

12/11/2024

2024 - an absolute banner year for big largemouths..... unlike last year, which was a massive dud for them...... I cannot remember a single year prior where I caught several of them in the 19 to 22-inch range like this one. I will look thru photos to get the official head count. From end of April through October, they kept showing up for me. I find big largemouths to be far more elusive, combative, and educated than smallmouths.

New for this year, because the big buckets treated us so well, I will be revealing the top largemouth baits in a series of its own.

These were just a few.....

Coming soon!
https://www.northwoodsbass.com

12/11/2024

I took a break from seminars last year, but we are angling to get back into a few as time and interest allows. Events are pending for winter and spring and later in 2025. If your club, organization, or special event is seeking a presenter, please contact me immediately.

Did you know I am a public speaker and presenter too? Every winter and spring I offer seminars and presentations to clubs, organizations, and sport shows.