Here is Your Smile, Mr Carlson
- alexosen
- Jun 4
- 4 min read
Today we are covering:
Learn to Fish Day Recap
New Pond Stars Used Gear in the Shop
Mr. Carlson Donated his Lucky Fly Reel Setup and Ask for a Smile in Return
Catch Of The Month Contest - Win a $30 gift card!
Live Bait Update
Learn to Fish Day Recap
I may have been a little too excited for Learn to Fish Day - but honestly, this is exactly why we do it. Families came out, kids learned how to bait up, cast, and work their rigs in the Napa River, and we even got to see a few first fish hit the bank.
There were lost setups, flying anchovies, ghost shrimp, plenty of laughs, and a whole lot of community spirit. Huge thank you to everyone who came out, volunteered, helped untangle lines, bait hooks, cheer on the kids, and make the day special.
Special thanks to Napa Fishing Club (NFC) board members, Bob, Carlos, and Mike for volunteering their time and expertise. Thanks to NFC member James for his help hosting the event. Also big thanks to Napa Sea Ranch team to offering us a great spot to host the event.
This is what Napa Fishing Club is all about: getting kids outside, helping families fish together, and building the next generation of Napa anglers.
New Pond Stars Stories and Used Gear.
From a Neighbor's Garage to Rod Rack
When Anthony brought in a collection of old fishing gear he received from a neighbor, we took a closer look to see what it was worth. While some of the rods and reels showed their age, several pieces were still in good, usable condition.
After evaluating the collection, we made an offer of $240 in store credit. For Anthony, it was a great opportunity to turn unused gear into an upgrade for his own fishing setup.
That's what Pond Stars is all about—helping anglers get value from gear they no longer use while keeping quality equipment in circulation.
A Gift for the Next Generation of Anglers
When Ed walked into Sweeney's Sports, he wasn't looking to sell his gear - he wanted to donate it.
The collection included the fly reel he started fishing with back in the 1970s, along with several spare spools and fly lines that helped create decades of memories on the water.
Rather than let the gear sit unused, Ed asked that it go to a young angler just getting started.
Thanks to his generosity, the next kid who comes into the shop looking for a fly fishing setup may be leaving with a piece of fishing history - and a little extra luck.
Mr Carlson, if you are reading this, here is the smile from Colton who will make good use of your donated fly reel setup. He promised me fish pictures once he finds a fly rod and learns to fly fish.
The Business Math Behind Used Fishing Gear
A customer recently brought in a fishing collection hoping to get $500 cash for it. While the gear had value, buying used equipment involves more than just reselling it. Shops must account for cleaning, testing, pricing, display space, and the risk that some items may not sell quickly.
That's why cash offers are often lower than expected. Programs like Pond Stars help anglers turn unused gear into cash or store credit while giving quality equipment a second life and helping more people get out on the water.
Free Fishing Gear for Kids
Thanks to a generous donation from Glenn, several rods and reels are being given away to young anglers at Sweeney's Sports. While the gear may show some signs of use, it's all functional and ready to help someone get out on the water.
If you're 18 or younger and need a fishing setup, stop by the shop and pick out one rod and one reel while supplies last. From bass rods to sturgeon setups, there's something for every young fisherman looking to get started.
This giveaway is made possible by Glenn and the Napa Fishing Club, helping keep the next generation fishing.
New Pond Stars Trade in Gear just Dropped.
 | 13 Fishing Concept Z3 $150 |
 | Daiwa Coastal TWS-200HSL $150 |
 | Daiwa Lexa HD 400XSL-P $200 |
 | Phenix Cicada CAX-C-1068-2 $195 |
 | Cashion IDC711MHF $180 |
 | Phenix M1 Inshore SMX711MH $110 |
Catch Of The Month Contest - Win a $30 gift card!
Show us your most impressive fishing moment by tagging @sweeneys_sports in your Instagram post or story. The grand prize? A $30 gift card and a feature on our social networks! 🏅.
If you’d like to participate, it’s simple:
Share a photo of your catch to your Instagram stories
Tag @sweeneys_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! 🎣
Think you’ve got the next winning catch?
📸 Submit your photo and join us for May’s Catch of the Month!
Live Bait Update - Fully Stocked This Week
Available this week:
Ghost shrimp
Pile worms
XL minnows
Medium Minnows
And if you're not sure what to run—stop by the shop and let’s talk strategy.
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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