Napa Fishing Club Meeting, Pond Stars Updates & Local Fishing Reports
- alexosen
- Jun 9
- 5 min read
Today we are covering:
Napa Fishing Club Meeting - Friday, June 19th, 2026
Introducing Online Listings for Pond Stars Used Gear and latest videos
Fishing Reports
Catch Of The Month Contest - Win a $30 gift card!
Live Bait Update
Napa Fishing Club Monthly Meeting
Break bread with fellow club members, talk fishing, share stories, make connections, and learn something new.
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM at Sweeney’s Sports
Carlos - @no_animals_no_life_napavalley - will share boat and bank tactics for targeting trophy catfish. Registration is free for current club members.
Introducing Online Listings for Pond Stars Used Gear
Pond Stars is our used fishing gear program designed to help anglers buy, sell, trade, and donate quality equipment within the local fishing community.
From rods and reels to tackle and accessories, every item that comes through the program gets evaluated and given a chance at a second life on the water.
To make it easier to browse our latest inventory, most used gear items will now be listed on our website and available for in-store pickup only.
We're currently working on adding shipping options and expect to begin offering shipping on select used gear items by early July.
Latest Pond Stars videos
A Promise Kept
One of the best parts of our donated gear program is seeing fishing equipment find a new home. Recently, Collin and Colton stopped by and picked out a Daiwa Jupiter setup along with the fly reel that Ed Carlson generously donated to help a young angler get started.
Ed originally learned to fish with that reel back in 1974, and now it's beginning a new chapter with another fisherman. Before heading out, Colton promised to send photos of his future catches- and most importantly, he shared the smile that Ed hoped his donation would create.
Moments like this are what make the Napa Fishing Club and our community gear programs so special.
Discovering a Collection of Fishing History
Every once in a while, a used gear collection arrives that gets everyone excited. Recently, a customer brought in an impressive assortment of vintage rods and reels, including classic Fenwick, Sabre, and Mitchell equipment that dates back decades.
As the collection was unpacked, it became clear that many of these pieces weren't just old -they were well-preserved examples of fishing history. From vintage trout rods to premium offshore setups, each item told a story about the evolution of the sport.
Moments like these are what make Pond Stars so much fun. You never know when the next collection will contain a hidden gem, a rare classic, or a piece of tackle that deserves a second life on the water.
A Piece of California Fishing History
Not every collection that comes through Pond Stars is about value alone - sometimes it's about the stories behind the gear. Recently, Jeff brought in a remarkable collection that included custom Harnell rods originally customized by Modern Bait and Tackle, a legendary San Francisco tackle shop. These rods were custom-made for Jeff's father, John, specifically for bank fishing for sturgeon.
With powerful backbones, sensitive tips, and decades of history behind them, these rods are a reminder of the craftsmanship and innovation that helped shape California fishing.
The Reality of Buying Used Fishing Gear
When anglers bring in high-end rods and reels, it can seem like an easy deal. But buying used gear comes with risks that aren't always visible at first glance.
In a recent Pond Stars trade-in, a closer inspection revealed a damaged guide on a rod that wasn't obvious during the initial evaluation. While the issue can be repaired, it highlights the challenges tackle shops face when purchasing pre-owned equipment.
That's the balancing act of the used gear business.
Sometimes everything checks out perfectly, and sometimes hidden issues appear after the deal is done. Programs like Pond Stars help keep quality gear in circulation, but they also require shops to take on the risk that comes with every trade-in.
Fishing Reports
Lake Berryessa
Berryessa is settling into its early summer pattern, and the best bite continues to be early and deeper.
Kokanee and king salmon are the big headline right now, especially after the recent CDFW salmon plants.
Trollers should focus on the morning window before the heat gets heavy, working 40–60 feet down as a starting point and adjusting from there as the sun gets higher. Dodgers with pink, orange, purple, or blue hoochies, tipped with scented corn, are a good starting setup.
Bass fishing is still very much in play, but expect the better fish to be tighter to shade, rock, points, and deeper structure once the sun gets up. Early morning topwater, small swimbaits, underspins, drop shots, and finesse presentations should all be in the rotation.
Catfish anglers should think evenings, coves, cut bait, chicken liver, nightcrawlers, and patience.
One important note: with the Putah Fire activity near Highway 128 and hot, dry conditions in the forecast, please check road closures and fire updates before heading toward the Winters side of the lake. Bring extra water, fish early, and don’t drag trailer chains or do anything that could throw sparks.
Napa River
The Napa River is in its summer transition. The big spring striper push has slowed, but there are still resident stripers, schoolies, catfish, and sturgeon around if you fish the tides correctly.
For Thursday, the tide swing looks strong, with a good morning outgoing/incoming transition and another strong movement later in the day. Moving water is the key.
For stripers, bait anglers should keep it simple with anchovies, pile worms, ghost shrimp, or live minnows where available. Lure anglers should focus around current seams, bridge areas, cuts, and shoreline ambush points with paddle tails, jerkbaits, Aruku Shad, and topwater early or late. If the water is dirty, slow down and use vibration or scent. If it is clearer, natural baitfish colors are a good starting point.
Best bet this week
Berryessa early for kokanee/salmon or bass, then off the water before the heat.
Napa River anglers should plan around moving tide and fish low-light windows for the best chance at stripers.
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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