I am a 25 year-old multi-species angler who was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. For some reason, and despite its limited fishing opportunities, I still live there.

Most folks who know me will happily say that I am a fish junkie who suffers an incurable disease. I eat, breathe, work, and live for fishing. For some and especially my non-angler friends it may get annoying but for my associates and me it’s a routine. My life revolves around fishing in every way possible.

I'm privileged to be able to be out on the water upwards of 150 days per year. Roughly 75% of those days are spent up north in northern Wisconsin’s Vilas, Oneida, Iron and Price counties while the rest is elsewhere throughout the country as well as locally in the Chicago metropolitan area. I don’t claim to be an expert or a professional, but rather an educated individual who is well-versed with a lot in freshwater fishing. Because I occasionally compete in ABA events, bass tournaments and other competitions, enjoy working with companies, and run an online fishing publication and large educational website, I like to call myself a “semi-pro”. I’m not the best as I continue to enjoy learning new techniques, reinventing my skills, and making myself the best angler I can be. In addition, I also get great pleasure in educating others about the sport I love most, especially friends and other individuals who don’t get the same kind of opportunities I do.

I fish for everything that swims. However, if I had to choose a few quarries, they would be largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, and muskies. These four are my specialties, and what I fish for the most are big smallmouth bass and muskies. One of my obsessed goals in life is to catch the next Wisconsin state record smallmouth bass. My best fish currently stands at two pounds short of the mark (released), but I know it can definitely be broken at some of the places I fish at, which is scary. In addition, I also enjoy wading the clean and pristine creeks and streams for redhorse, wading the rivers for walleyes, and dabbling for big crappies, bluegills, and perch. In recent years, I’ve taken on a greater appreciation for the more unique, lesser-known and frowned upon predatory species such as gars, bowfins, paddlefish, sturgeons, and giant catfish. All fish are cool in one way or another regardless of appearance or reputation. But my favorites, without question, are big smallmouth bass and muskies.

My first fishing boat was my dad’s hand-me-down, a 14 foot, 1967 model, aluminum MirroCraft boat with a 6 horse Evinrude that was then upgraded to a 10 horse Johnson. By the time I was 20, I outgrew it and now I ride in a red and white retro fiberglass Lund trihull, a Lund Guide Special 315 that was designed back in the day for musky anglers. It’s a 1979 model 16 footer with a 28 horse Evinrude. I rescued it from a junkyard, refurbished and customized it with toys, and then converted into a mean mint condition fishing machine. My current pride and joy, and serves as my office. I love antiques, relics, and older technology. I’m frequently complimented on it by other anglers whom I see out on the lakes and run into at boat landings. It’s the coolest boat ever.

As for my background, I am a 2010 graduate of Loyola University Chicago. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, and an associate’s in Visual Communication and Graphic Design. Wherever my career path takes me to, (hopefully the Minocqua, Wisconsin/Lakeland area where I am currently looking for jobs and want to permanently settle) all I know is that the game of fishing and everything else I already do will be a major part of it. I have far too many talents that are too hard to be ignored.

Currently I am a freelance website and graphic designer, and work on projects with clients throughout the country. My work business site can be visited at www.ragasmedia.com. I am pretty darn good when it comes to graphic design, layout and editing, and video production. Since graduating from college, my employment opportunities have been dry and difficult to get, but feel as if my talents for design, production, and media can be benefited by everyone. Even fishing too.

Presently in the realm of fishing, I am a staff writer, columnist, and blogger for Heartland Outdoors Magazine, which is a Midwest print publication. In addition, I run, operate, manage, and write for my own large personal website, Fishing-Headquarters.com. I also contribute weekly fishing reports to the Chicago Sun-Times newspapers, and handle all website design, marketing, and social media responsibilities for two upstart tackle companies, Stankx Bait Company, and Sims Spinners. Not only am I great at managing their online presences, but am proficient at endorsing product and reaching out to target markets as I am sponsored by six other companies such as Quantum Fishing, Cortland Line, MC Custom Rods, GoPro Camera, CB’s Hawg Sauce, Bearpaws Handpoured Baits, and Time on the Water Outdoors.

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. In the famous words of the legendary hockey coach, Herb Brooks, “Great moments are born from great opportunity”. In everything I do, these words never leave my train of thought. Enjoy your moments out on the water as good things are ready to always happen. I make the most out of every day I get on the water because everything is a privilege.