We would like to happily announce the release of Fishing-Headquarters Magazine, Issue 9. This is our issue for May and June, 2012. It’s a very strong issue in terms of subject content and visual engagement. In my opinion with overall design and subjects, this is our best one since fall 2011′s issue 6. Online Link – http://issuu.com/aragas/docs/fishing-headquarters2.3 Website Link – http://www.fishing-headquarters.com/magazine/earlysummer2012.html This is our early summer issue for May and June, 2012. So what’s in this issue? Adam Glickman writes about big early season river muskies, Andrew Ragas discusses his trophy smallmouth bass tube fishing techniques as well as wading  [ Read More ]

The spring fishing season and its weather inconsistencies often resembles the shape of a roller coaster that is full of inclines and declines. For instance, there are periods of warmth which lead to good fishing, periods of cold which lead to miserable fishing, and never a consistent happy medium that is somewhere in between that represents satisfactory fishing. Record the results in the form of a bar graph and you will see what I am talking about. Spring weather stinks. It’s rare to have a weather-perfect spring fishing season. When it comes to locating and catching shallow water smallmouth bass  [ Read More ]

The effectiveness of artificial lures should never be questioned. Inline spinners have successfully lured fish into biting for over 100 years. For most anglers, fishing with inlines is not a foreign technique. But to some, it is an unknown concept. They are a lure category that is underrated, often forgotten about, and left ignored in the tackle box. With the advent of new lure concepts, and the technological advances in manufacturing, design, and mass production, it’s no wonder why certain lures have taken the back seat in the boats of many anglers. Inline spinners are one of them.  Most lures  [ Read More ]

Other than my own, and some of the “up north” sites, I very rarely visit or participate on discussion board websites anymore. However, there are some days in which boredom kicks in and I’ll throw a post if I see a need for it. On one such website, Windycityfishing.com, I did just that. This discussion I participated in should make for a good, new blog post. It’s been several days since I last fished, but there is light at the end of this tunnel, and it will be here within ten days.   Here’s the post: Member wrote: Ok I  [ Read More ]

These are specimens of fish that anglers can only dream of catching. I, for one, am one of them. Fishing-Headquarters contributor, Kenny Lookingbill, who is an aquatic ecologist technician with the Illinois Natural History Survey, sent me these photos of massive crappies that were captured during last week’s spring survey of 3,500 acre Emiquon Lake. During their survey, the largest fish captured were up to 17 inches and 3.4 pounds. Lookingbill reports that average sizes of fish were between 13 to 14 inches. Emiquon Lake, located in Lewistown, IL is regarded as one of the best public bass fisheries in  [ Read More ]

Fishing originally wasn’t written into my Friday schedule. But since I took the entire week off from working on projects due to a death in the family and other personal reasons, I figured I might as well get out there to find the elusive crappies….. You must seriously think it’s a joke to call these fish elusive, right? Well, not. From here, they are, and have been for the last few years….. If the fishing wasn’t going to be good, I had to also shoot some habitat photos for an upcoming article I’m working on, which is about wading and  [ Read More ]

Being a web and graphic designer as well as a fisherman have a lot of perks. In situations like one of my most recent projects, I’m glad to say that my three trades all go hand in hand together. It’s not every week this happens. Back in February, while working for Heartland Outdoors Magazine and Sims Spinners at the Tinley Park Fishing Show, I was introduced to a small local Chicago tackle company per the recommendation of friend and personal fishing rod builder, Matt Coppolino (www.mccustomrods.com). Not knowing much about this small tackle company, other than its baits had a  [ Read More ]

Putting all work and phone calls and e-mails aside for a few days until Monday, I decided to take my second therapy session of the week by going fishing once again. Just like Monday’s outing, I was faced with yet another dilemma: A cold front. But this one was much worse. As was the fishing. I hit the flow at 2pm and worked my areas until 5pm. After Monday’s productive outing, I decided to return to the same exact areas with hopes that similar results would be had. Unfortunately the fish weren’t around today as they had attempted to be  [ Read More ]

This afternoon, I completely disregarded and neglected all work, took a mental health day, and decided to hit my local river for some small stream bassin’. After a weekend of seeing firsthand of what death is all about, fishing was the only right thing to do on my first day back. In what may have been the last words I’ll ever hear from my 82 year old grandfather whose days of life are now numbered, I was whispered “Go fishing and don’t worry about me.” So I followed through and did. It was awesome. Despite the unkind cold front and  [ Read More ]

Ever since the previous week in which numbers of coho salmon were caught by anglers flocking to the downtown city limits of Lake Michigan, the fishing has significantly slowed. However, with not enough fish in the freezer to host a much-anticipated dinner party for family and friends, I had to give it one last shot. Above – Quite possibly my favorite downtown fishing spot. If the fishing stinks, at least I have the gorgeous jogger babes to look at. This past Friday (3/16), I cut loose during the afternoon hours and met up with my friend Mike at an undisclosed  [ Read More ]