San Francisco Bay Halibut Update, Club News & Learn to Fish Day - Weekly Fishing Report
- nancybalois1
- 6 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Today we are covering:
San Francisco Bay Halibut Update
Napa Fishing Club - First Meeting Was a Success
Learn to Fish Day - Coming May 30
Helping Kids Get Outdoors - Our Mission
Live Bait Update - Fully Stocked This Week
Catch Of The Month Contest - Win a $30 gift card!
By Alex, AKA “Mr. Sweeney’s”
Hello friends,
This week I’ve got a full update for you.
We’re talking about a recent halibut trip in San Francisco Bay, a recap of our first Napa Fishing Club meeting, and some exciting news about our upcoming Learn to Fish Day that supports getting kids outdoors and away from screens.
Let’s jump right in.
San Francisco Bay Halibut Update - A Lot of Action, No Keepers
Last Sunday, I had the chance to get out on a friend’s boat for an early-season halibut trip in San Francisco Bay.
It was the first time his 24-foot boat had been in the Bay, so we were doing a little dialing in as we went.
We were trolling at about:
1.8 miles per hour
Using:
8 oz ball weights with basic Halibut rigs
Frozen Anchovy or herring as bait
No flasher (which, looking back, might have been the mistake)
By the end of the day, we landed 13 halibut, but unfortunately, all were undersized.
Still- a great sign.
Seeing that many juveniles this early suggests we could be looking at a very strong halibut season, especially as we move into late summer and early fall when those fish mature.
One tip I received afterward from a customer:
Add a flasher to increase attraction.
Try running slightly faster speeds.
That’s something I’ll definitely be testing next time out.
Bottom line?
Lots of fish in the system—and that’s exciting news.
Napa Fishing Club - First Meeting Was a Success
Our first Napa Fishing Club meeting happened last Friday, and I have to say—it was fantastic.
We had about 24 people show up, and the atmosphere was exactly what we hoped for.
We:
Fired up the grill
Served burgers
Talked fishing
Shared stories
Built connections
I also gave a short presentation covering updates on Napa River and Lake Berryessa, and it sparked some great discussions among members.
If you’ve been thinking about joining a fishing community here in the Valley, this is a great time to get involved.
Right now, there aren’t many fishing-focused clubs in the area, and we’re building something special here.
Learn to Fish Day - Coming May 30
One of the biggest things we’re working on right now is our Learn to Fish Day, and I’m really excited about this one.
Date: Saturday, May 30
Location: Napa Sea Ranch
Expected Attendance: 30–50 participants
This event is designed especially for:
Beginners
Families
Kids who want to learn fishing basics
We’re planning three hands-on stations:
Station 1 — Rig Setup
Learn how to assemble basic fishing rigs correctly.
Station 2 — Baiting Techniques
Practice baiting hooks safely and effectively.
Station 3 — Casting Practice
Learn how to cast properly and get comfortable fishing from shore.
After training, participants will head out to fish with volunteers nearby to help untangle lines and answer questions.
Our goal?
Make fishing approachable, fun, and welcoming.
Look out for the official invite next week.
Helping Kids Get Outdoors - Our Mission
Napa Fishing Club is about more than just fishing.
It’s about helping kids step away from screens and discover the outdoors.
Fishing teaches:
Patience
Responsibility
Respect for nature
Community connection
That’s why part of every membership supports youth involvement.
Membership Details
Adults: $50 per year
Youth (Under 21): Free
Half of adult fees go directly toward purchasing gear for kids
How You Can Support the Mission
Many people have asked how they can help - even if they don’t fish or don’t live locally.
So we created a GoFundMe campaign to support youth fishing programs.
Every dollar donated goes toward:
Rods
Reels
Tackle
Starter kits for kids
We also document the results so donors can see exactly where their support goes.
Because sometimes what kids need most isn’t just equipment - it’s encouragement and mentorship.
And that’s what we’re trying to build here.
Live Bait Update - Fully Stocked This Week
If you're heading out soon, we’re fully stocked with bait right now.
Available this week:
Ghost shrimp
Pile worms
XL minnows
With favorable tides coming up, this is a great time to get out on the water.
And if you're not sure what to run—stop by the shop and let’s talk strategy.
Final Thoughts
This past week reminded me why I love this community.
Fishing trips, club meetings, helping kids get started - it all connects back to one thing:
Building something meaningful around fishing.
Whether you're chasing halibut, learning something new, or helping the next generation, there’s a place for you here.
Hope to see you soon - on the water or in the shop.
Tight lines,
— Mr. Sweeney 🎣
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! 🎣
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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