Bass fishing at Lake Berryessa is heating up as spawning activity begins, while stripers and trout patterns remain steady. This week’s update also covers new gear arrivals, Napa Fishing Club events, and clubhouse rental opportunities.

Live ghost shrimp are back in stock, fishing conditions remain steady at Lake Berryessa and Napa River, and new Shimano gear has arrived. Get the latest fishing report, bait updates, and a preview of the 2026 salmon season in this week’s Sweeney’s update.

What’s happening on the Napa River, what’s working at Berryessa, and the bait update anglers have been waiting for.

Fishing conditions around Napa are starting to shift as winter patterns slowly give way to early spring activity. This week’s report covers striper action in the Napa River, trout trolling at Lake Berryessa, bait recommendations, and updates from Sweeney’s including the upcoming Napa Fishing Club.

Heritage Suites at Sweeney's is becoming the home of something bigger than a club. Napa Fishing Club is launching to connect adults, mentor youth, support conservation, and create a stronger, more unified fishing community in Napa - and we’re inviting you to be part of it.

Sweeney’s Sports is launching the Napa Fishing Club - a new community hub for local anglers to share knowledge, host events, and connect with each other.

I haven’t gone fishing in four weeks. Not because I couldn’t. Just life, business, winter mode. And despite what you’re seeing online, this isn’t some magical “best time of year” bite. The fishing is… okay. You might grind out one or two.

The rains are behind us for now, and we’re looking at a solid stretch of cooler, sunny winter days ahead. As the river begins to clear from its muddy stain, expect stripers to turn on and feed aggressively.

As you can see, they did pretty well using white Keitech swimbait with white 1/2 ounce jig-head. Congrats Luis! Nice catch

What do you do when one of your rod guides loses its insert? Most people set the rod aside in hopes that they will have time to track down and glue the missing insert eventually. The rod ends up sitting and collecting dust.

Whether you’re heading out to the Napa River, making a run up to Berryessa, or just cruising downtown, this new drop from Salty Crew is made for life on and off the water.

At this year’s trade show, I stopped by the Okuma booth to get hands-on with their latest rods and reels. Okuma is known for balancing affordability, reliability, and performance—and this lineup is no exception.

If you’ve been waiting to see what Daiwa has in store for 2026, you’re in for a treat. I just got back from the trade show floor where I had the chance to get hands-on with Daiwa’s brand-new lineup of reels and rods—and let me tell you, some of this gear is going to turn heads.

Kokanee are holding between 40 to 60 feet, making this the prime trolling zone right now. A great setup includes J&J Tackle dodgers

Whether you're drifting the Napa River for stripers or dropping lines into Lake Berryessa for crappie, few techniques rival the effectiveness of live bait.

Welcome to Sweeney’s Second Cast™ — our dedicated day for used gear trade-ins and store credit.

A new set of boating restrictions is rolling out across Northern California in response to the discovery of invasive golden mussels.

Picture this: You’re on the Upper Sacramento, and trout are feasting on Blue Wing Olives. The problem? The shop is out of the exact size you

Trolling for trout without a downrigger can be incredibly effective with the right setup, and lead core line is the key to getting lures dow

Learn the Art of Fly Tying from a Local Legend! Creating your own flies isn’t just rewarding—it’s the key to catching more fish!