Lake Berryessa Trout and Kokanee Fishing Tutorial

alexosen
Jun 12
3 min read

Hello friends,

In this edition, we'll be covering:

Lake Berryessa Adventure and Fishing Report
What's New in the Shop
Salty Crew Unboxing - Father Day Delights
Live Bait Update

Lake Berryessa Fishing Adventure and Advice

Fishing Depth & Gear Setup

Kokanee are holding between 40 to 60 feet, making this the prime trolling zone right now. A great setup includes J&J Tackle dodgers, 8–10 inch leaders, and micro hoochies tipped with scented corn (tuna oil works wonders). Match your dodger and lure colors—pink works best in the early morning, switching to blue or purple as the sun rises. Keep your backset short (13–15 feet) when trolling deep; it improves maneuverability and keeps your lure in the strike zone.

Trolling Tactics & Boat Handling

Speed control is key—aim for 1.3 to 1.6 mph. Sharp turns can trigger bites, especially with shorter backsets; one side of the lure presentation speeds up, the other slows down, changing the lure action and prompting reaction strikes. Don’t be afraid to “dance” the boat across contour lines or drop-offs—target areas where depth shifts from 50 to 90 feet, especially near island points. Watch your sonar closely and be ready to adjust depths on the fly.

Timing, Patience & Observation

The bite typically picks up after early morning traffic clears, so patience pays off. Get there early to launch, but don’t stress if it starts slow. Follow contour lines on your map, observe other boats, and be ready to adapt. Keep an eye out for floating or stunned fish—check if they’re viable and reduce waste. Most importantly, pay attention to the details—from lure color to line length to your exact trolling path. This style of fishing should stay productive through the end of July, so now’s the time to dial it in.

How Does Berryessa Landlocked King Salmon Taste?

Next Week on Catch Happy: Ever wondered what a Berryessa King really tastes like?

So did I.

My daughters and I took over the kitchen and pan-fried fresh 4lb fillets from our recent catch—and the results surprised us.

From the skillet to the dinner table, don’t miss next week’s post featuring our full recipe, family verdict, and a few unexpected flavor notes.

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! 🏅.

📸 Cast your entry by sharing your photo and get ready to be a part of our winner's circle .

Let's make waves together! 🌊

What's New in the Shop

Watch the unboxing of our Father's Day Salty Crew order

Salty Crew

Get ready to stock up, Salty Crew fans! Our latest order just hit the shelves, bringing you a massive selection of all the gear you love. We've got everything from fresh graphic tees and comfortable hoodies to essential hats and durable shorts, perfect for your next adventure on or off the water. Don't wait – dive into the new collection and refresh your Salty Crew style at Sweeney’s!

Sweeney’s Second Cast™ – Trade-In Fridays

🎣 Trade Your Gear on Fridays at Sweeney’s!

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

Here’s how it works:

🔁 Bring in your rods, reels, or tackle.

💳 Get store credit.

⏳ Valuations may take a few days — instant trades available only if staff time allows.

Whether you're upgrading or clearing space, we're here to help your gear find a second life.

🗓️ Fridays Only

📍 Sweeney’s Sports, Napa

🕙 11am–6pm — No appointment needed

All gear must be clean and in working condition. Questions? Just ask!

Live Bait Update May 29th, 2025

In-Stock

Grass Shrimp! (Available starting 12pm, on Friday)
Medium Minnows
Large Minnows
Pile Worms

P.S. We’re excited to announce the launch of ShopSweeneys.com!

Why shop on https://www.shopsweeneys.com/? Besides supporting your local shop,

Competitive Pricing and Vast Inventory
Ships Fast from our Wharehouse in Sacramento
Buy Online, Return to the Store
Free Shipping for Orders Over $50 (some restrictions apply)

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.