From Bait Choices to Big Wins: This Week at Sweeney’s Sports

alexosen
23 hours ago
4 min read

Today we are covering:

Bag vs. Tray Anchovies: Why the Difference Matters for Striper & Catfish
He Bought a Fishing License - And Gave It Away (Part 2)
Live Bait Update
Congrats to our Catch Of The Month Winner

Bag vs. Tray Anchovies: Why the Difference Matters for Striper & Catfish

If you’ve ever stood at the bait freezer wondering why one pack of anchovies costs almost twice as much as the other, you’re not alone. At Sweeney’s Sports, we get this question all the time - “Is the tray really worth it?”

Short answer: yes, and here’s why.

The First Difference: How They’re Frozen

Both anchovies start the same way - they’re caught fresh. The difference comes after that.

Tray anchovies are flash frozen using specialized equipment. This process locks in moisture, oils, and natural juices.
Bag anchovies are frozen in bulk using a standard deep-freeze method. It’s cheaper and faster, but you lose some quality.

Flash freezing takes more time, energy, and cost - and that shows up in both price and performance.

Presentation on the Hook

When fishing for stripers or catfish, anchovies are a dead bait sitting on the bottom. They aren’t moving. They aren’t vibrating. The fish find them almost entirely by smell.

To rig anchovies properly:

Cut off the head
Cut off the tail
Hook through the fat belly section and tie up with miracle thread
Score the bait to release juices

When you score a tray anchovy, you’ll immediately see blood and oils pooling - even while frozen. Once it hits the water, that scent spreads through the water column and creates a much larger scent zone.

Bag anchovies will release some scent, but not nearly at the same level.

The Peach Test

Think of it like this:

You walk into a grocery store and see:

One shriveled peach in the corner
One perfect, ripe peach front and center

Which one are you reaching for?

Fish make the same decision - except they rely on smell instead of sight.

When Tray Anchovies Make the Most Sense

Targeting stripers
Fishing for catfish
Bottom fishing where scent is everything
Tough bite days when you need every advantage

Bag anchovies absolutely have their place, especially for soaking bait or casual outings. But when you want the highest chance of pulling fish into your zone, tray anchovies give you a real edge.

If you’re unsure which bait fits your setup or conditions, stop by the shop - we’re always happy to talk strategy.

Tight lines,

Mr. Sweeney

He Bought a Fishing License — And Gave It Away (Part 2)

A few weeks ago, a customer named Joe walked into the shop with a request I had never received before. Every year, he bought a fishing license for his little brother, Carlos. That was their tradition. This year, Carlos passed away unexpectedly. Joe asked if he could buy a license in his brother’s name - and have us give it to someone who would truly use it.

That responsibility wasn’t easy. How do you choose the right person? How do you make sure it means something?

Then Skyler walked in.

Skyler is just getting started. He’s on a tight budget, trying to put together a simple setup to fish the river and Lake Berryessa. When I asked if he had a fishing license, the answer was no - not because he didn’t want one, but because he couldn’t afford it yet.

That’s when it felt right.

Today, Skyler received a fishing license in Carlos’s name. He’ll fish with it, learn with it, and carry that memory forward every time he’s on the water. That license will be used the way it was intended - with purpose, appreciation, and respect.

Rest in peace to Carlos. And thank you to Joe and his family for turning loss into something meaningful.

Sometimes fishing is more than fishing.

Live Bait Update

We’re stocked up on fresh live bait and ready for the current river and lake conditions.

Currently Available:

Live Minnows
- Medium
- XL
- Jumbo
Pile Worms

Frozen Section

Frozen Roe (Tips and Curing Recipe Here)

Cure Ghost Shrimp (Excellent for Sturgeon and Striper)

Tray and Bag Anchovies

Minnows have been producing well for Napa River stripers and Lake Berryessa trout and catfish, while Roe and Cured Ghost Shrip continue to be a go-to option for bank fishing for sturgeon and striper.

Availability can change quickly, so if you’re planning a trip, swing by early or give us a call to make sure we’ve got exactly what you need.

Congrats to our catch of the month winner

This month’s Catch of the Month brought in some incredible submissions from our community, and we’re excited to congratulate our latest winner Gabe Mozzetti aka Water-Peak Outdoors!

If you’d like to participate, it’s simple: share a photo of your catch to your Instagram stories and tag Sweeney’s Sports.

Each entry gives you a chance to be featured and win a $30 gift card.

A big thank you to everyone who submitted this month - we truly appreciate your participation and can’t wait to see what you reel in next. Keep the photos coming! 🎣

As always,

We truly appreciate every time you walk through our doors. Thank you for choosing to spend your hard-earned dollars with us. It's a privilege to be of service.