Andrew Ragas

Founder & Owner of the Fishing Headquarters,

Site Administrator & Web Designer

Hello, and welcome to the Fishing Headquarters website. My name is Andrew Ragas and I am a multi-species angler who fishes the lakes and rivers of Northern Wisconsin, and the rivers and streams of Northern Illinois. I enjoy fishing as much as possible throughout the year and often find myself fishing upwards of 150+ days per calendar season. This is at the result of good fortune, and the lack of girlfriends.

If I had to choose a few favorite quarries, they would be power and finesse fishing for Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass, chasing suspended and “jungle-oriented” Northern Pike on the lakes in Wisconsin, wading rivers and casting crankbaits for Walleyes, and casting for Muskies on rivers and lakes.

At the moment, I have fished throughout the upper Midwest, namely in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. I have also fished the east coast off the shores of Cape Cod, and in south Florida for the legendary 10-pound Largemouth Bass. As I grow older, I hope to have the opportunity of being able to travel the world and catch fish especially throughout Canada, northern Europe, and South America.

Besides my fishing-related information, I am a senior attending Loyola University Chicago, and am majoring in Communication - with fishing thrown onto the side, obviously. . . In my spare time, I design websites for businesses and individuals alike, and I enjoy being in the company of my friends, as long as they do not interfere with my fishing. Sorry guys, but I’ve gotta do what I’ve gotta do!

When my collegiate studies are completed, and with an even greater understanding for the sport of fishing and the dynamics it brings, I would like to work within the fishing industry and apply the skills I have learned within the classroom into that field. Whether it is product management for tackle companies, website and/or catalog design, tackle testing, something else, or all of the above, I think my services and skills would fit within that field of work. Not saying that this cannot happen, but if it won’t be fishing in tournaments to make a living, then working within the angling industry is what I want to do and can eventually see happening. Either/or, it would be fun and productive work!

In my mind, fishing is more than just an obsessive hobby - it is a lifestyle. I am a firm believer that if you treat the sport with respect and use your God-given talents on the water, you will be rewarded with great catches.

If interested in contributing to the website, becoming an advertising partner, and in receiving news concerning the website and discussion forums, send me an e-mail at andrew@fishing-headquarters.com

Kenny Lookingbill

FHQ Commodore and Moderator of Discussion Forums.

Board of Directors for seasonal FHQ Tournament Series.

My name is Kenny Lookingbill and I am from Cambridge, IL, which is around the Quad Cities area. I attend Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois and am majoring in Biology and hope to work for the Department of Natural Resources in the Fisheries Division.

I have been attending Illinois State University since fall 2006 where I eventually met Tony (bassmastertony), late that semester where he mentioned that his friend Andrew was starting up a fishing website after he discovered that I liked fishing. I then registered on the site a few days after it started up and instantly loved it. I liked the atmosphere of younger anglers and people I could relate to and most of them were from Illinois.

I am still relatively new to fishing as I have only been seriously fishing for around 4 years. However, I have fished all over the upper midwest over the last couple years including Lac De Mille Lac in Ontario Canada, Lake Rathbun in Iowa, the lakes of northern Wisconsin with Andrew, and of course many places in Illinois, ranging from Mickelson’s Landing up north on the Mississippi River, to strip mines in West Central Illinois, to Clinton Lake in East Central Illinois and the Dupage River in Chicago's western suburbs.

I fish year-round whenever I can as I enjoy open water fishing and ice fishing. I also consider myself a multi-species angler as I fish about any fish that inhabits waters in Illinois, whether it is Bass fishing in ponds, Walleye fishing in the Rock River, Catfishing in ponds and reservoirs, or panfishing in any body of water. I also will occasionally fish for the Esox species when the time calls for it. I still am looking the elusive first Muskie, but I believe it will come this year. I also hope to fish in more tournaments eventually when I have more time and money, as I have done well the couple that I have fished.

Mike Goode

FHQ Commodore and Moderator of Discussion Forums.

Board of Directors for seasonal FHQ Tournament Series.

Like most youngsters, my history in fishing began  at the early age of three when I used a "top of the class" Donald duck pole with Mickey Mouse bobber and the best bait God ever created: Wax worms! 

By the time I was eight, I had perfected my skill of catching dink bluegills with the family at Shabbona Lake located in north central Illinois. Shortly after, I was ready to move on to the big show. The first lure I ever fished with was a small blue Rapala Husky Jerk which I quickly fell in love with.

As the years progressed, I got more into the game of bass fishing. During my high school years I teamed up with Andrew on fishing the Fox River and its smaller tribuatries. This in particular was my first time ever of wading and fishing for multi species and I loved it. On one specific outing, a friend who was fly fishing, caught my eye with what he was doing with his flies and it seemed very cool. Intrigued by this, Andrew and I attended a small fly fishing convention and came extremely close to purchasing our first fly rods. At the time purchasing these expensive toys were not feasible considering we were both low on cash, but as the years went by, fly fishing had always remained in the back of my mind.

During my senior of high school I joined Andrew in northern Wisconsin at his cabin.  This trip would live in infamy as the trip that I almost outfished Andrew on his own territory! This was the time when the world famous "Juggernaut Special" was born.  A 3 or 5 inch avocado salt and pepper Kalin Grub with an Owner jig head caught most of the Smallmouth Bass on the trip along with medium diving Bandits. The same year I also started Muskie fishing.

Ever since my high school years and for the past four seasons, I began to attend my Uncle's yearly Canadian trip in which the crew catches loads of Walleye, Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. Besides the upper Midwest and Canada, I have also fished Cave Run in Kentucky for Muskie and have caught two average size fish thus far. 

I recently got hooked on fly fishing and fear that it is becoming an obsessive hobby of mine. I have three rods and am beginning to get good at casting, but not catching as I have ways to go in polishing up my game. I would like to mention that I recently purchased my first fly rod Muskie combo.

Currently I am a student at DePaul University in Chicago with Senior standing, and study Economics. Besides that, I work at the footwear and waders department at Cabela's in Hoffmann Estates, IL.