What's New in the Shop?
First cast:
Dear customers, we are Closed for Easter this Sunday, March 31st. Please make plans to visit with us on Friday or Saturday, if you need fishing gear/tackle or gun shop services.
Hey Parents!
Spring is here, and what better way to celebrate the outdoors than by teaching your child a lifelong skill? We're excited to announce the 1st Annual Kids Learn to Fish Event, co-hosted with the City of Napa, Park Rangers, and the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife!
The event, held on Saturday, May 4th at Oxboe Preserve, is the perfect opportunity for kids ages 7-15 to learn the basics of fishing and have a blast on the Napa River.
Spots are limited (only 15!), so register early! Unfortunately, due to parking restrictions, walk-ins won't be possible.
Here's what your kid can expect:
A fun and educational 5-station fishing clinic covering:
Knot tying
Safety and fishing ethics
How we impact water quality
Casting
Rigging
All the gear they need – rods, reels, tackle, bait, catch & release equipment – plus expert instruction and coaching!
By the end of the day, your child will be:
Confident in their fishing skills
Equipped with a new appreciation for the outdoors
Hooked on a fun and rewarding hobby!
Don't miss out! Register your child today!Â
We look forward to seeing you there!
This year's event is limited to 15 kids only, so if you'd like your kid to participate and learn how to fish, register early. Unfortunately, due to limited parking on Oxboe Preserve, we won't be able to accommodate walk-ins.
Live Bait Inventory Update
Live Pile Worm
Medium Minnows
XL Minnows
Working on getting Grass and Ghost shrimp. Call the shop for details.
Second cast:
Largemouth Bass and Halibut Seasons Are Here
As the weather warms up, largemouth bass fishing in Northern California lakes is heating up. From the serene waters of Lake Hennessey in Napa County to the renowned fishing destination of Clear Lake, anglers are gearing up for a productive season. In this comprehensive fishing report, we feature insights and tips from Niko and Eli, two high school anglers who work at Sweeney's Sports. These young enthusiasts share their experiences and techniques for targeting largemouth bass in various Northern California lakes.
Largemouth Bass
Niko's Report:
Gear:
- Okuma Avenger Rod and Reel Combo (7' medium power, fast action)
- 8 lb P-Line
Methods:
Niko found success using a wacky or Neko rig at Lake Hennessey, consistently enticing big strikes. He caught three largemouth bass with a total bag weight of about 4 lbs using a Gary Yamamoto Senko in the smoke/purple & black flake color, enhanced with Trophy Bass Pro-Cure scent...
Read the full report on the Catch Happy blog.
Eli's Report:
Gear:
- Abu Garcia Black Max 3 Baitcaster
- 10-lb Green Braid
- Okuma Celilo "B" Rod
Experience:
Eli started bank fishing at Lake Hennessey around noon, initially without success. After moving to fish along the rocks, he landed his first fish about an hour later using a Neko rig with a watermelon black/red-colored bait, 1/16-ounce Neko weights, and a 3/0 offset shank worm hook...
Read the rest of the article on the Catch Happy blog.
Halibut
It's that time of year again – the halibut are starting to show up in San Francisco Bay, and if you've got a boat that can handle the bay, it's time to start planning your fishing trips!
Our customers are already reporting some early season success. Just take Chase and his dad, for example. They launched their boat at Berkeley and headed over to Oyster Point to try their luck. Their secret weapon? Frozen herring on simple halibut rig.
Read the rest of the article on the Catch Happy blog.
Third cast:
The pallet is here! Stock up on 9mm Target Ammo: $299 for 1000 rounds.
Stop by the shop and grab your ammo today, while supplies last.
Fishing Reports
Napa River
Sturgeon
All the rains bring Sturgeon into our river system. It's bait fishing time!
Check our detailed sturgeon fishing instructional video and blog here.
Use live Grass or Ghost Shrimp, Pile Worms, Salmon roe, or Eel threaded onto a barbless hook, wrapped with magic thread (twine), and terminated with a bait button.
It's important to keep your bait on the bottom with a 4-16 ounce (tide speed dependant) sinker and, ideally, a weighted leader.
Regardless of the bait used, the key to success is getting out on the water and enjoying the experience. The river currently has a high population of hungry sturgeon, and with the improved weather, conditions are excellent for fishing.
For gear, bait, and the latest fishing information, stop by our shop. Guided trips are also available for booking.
Lake Berryessa
Lake Berryessa Fishing Report - Early Season Update by Big Nate Guide Service
Date: March 20th
The fish were incredibly active, jumping out of the water, tangling lines, and putting on a spectacular fight. Spoons trolled with downriggers at depths around 25 feet and speeds between 3.2 and 3.5 mph proved to be the most effective technique. The aggressive bite resulted in some intense releases off the downriggers.
Trout fishing is red hot on the lake right now.
Fly Fishing Report from the Bend Co: Northern California's Rivers and Creeks Heating Up
As we move further into the spring season, fishing conditions in Northern California are showing significant improvement. From the creeks to the rivers, anglers are finding success with a variety of techniques and fly patterns.
Putah Creek:
The flows on Putah Creek have dropped to 143cfs as of today. They’ve been fluctuating a ton lately. The same fly patterns are working as before smaller olive or black streamers. Zebra midge, mayfly’s pmd’s and bwos, Caddis and worms. (Pro tip) working on getting your dead drift dialed is going to be key in tricking the ultra-picky Putah Creek rainbows to eat.
Trinity River:
The Trinity River continues to provide outstanding fishing opportunities. Flows in Lewiston are currently around 300 cfs, while downstream in Junction City, the river is flowing at approximately 1,000 cfs. The water color is a perfect steelhead green, indicating prime conditions for targeting these magnificent fish. A good number of steelhead remain in the system, including fresh fish and those making their way back to the ocean. Traditional steelhead flies such as red copper johns, rubber legs, and mayfly patterns are producing well. The ever-popular squirmy worm is also a reliable choice for enticing steelhead.
Lower Sacramento River:
After a period of high water, the Lower Sacramento River has returned to fishable levels. While still running high at 15,900 cfs out of Keswick Dam, the flow has decreased significantly from the previous 40,000 cfs. Anglers are finding success by focusing on caddis and mayfly patterns, as the fish are actively feeding on these insects.
As conditions continue to improve, anglers can look forward to even more productive fishing throughout Northern California's rivers and creeks. Whether you're targeting steelhead on the Trinity, trout on Putah Creek, or a variety of species on the Lower Sacramento, now is an excellent time to get out on the water and enjoy the fantastic fishing opportunities available.
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.
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