So you want to catch a Sturgeon?
- nancybalois1
- Apr 16
- 5 min read
Today we are covering:
How to Catch Sturgeon from start to finish
Napa Fishing Club Kickoff Meeting — April 17
Catch Of The Month Contest
Live Bait Update
By Alex, AKA “Mr. Sweeney’s”
Hello friends,
Today I want to walk you through how to catch sturgeon from start to finish—whether you're brand new to sturgeon fishing or you've tried before but haven't had much success.
We’re going to cover everything—from bait selection all the way to rod setup and bite detection—so by the end of this, you’ll have a clear blueprint to follow.
Right now is a great time to target sturgeon, especially through mid-April into May, when tidal waters like the Napa River, Sacramento River, and the Bay tend to produce consistent action.
It All Starts With the Right Bait
If you want to catch sturgeon, the very first thing to focus on is bait.
Sturgeon feed along the bottom, slowly moving through rivers and bays, probing for food. That means scent and presentation matter more than anything else.
Here are the top baits I recommend:
Best Sturgeon Baits
Salmon Roe Cure it with salt and sugar overnight, then wrap it in mesh bags.
Ghost Shrimp Live ghost shrimp are extremely effective when available.
Pile Worms Tough to handle—but sturgeon absolutely love them.
Many anglers run multi-bait setups, combining shrimp and pile worms together to create a stronger scent trail.
Whatever bait you use, remember this:
Always keep the hook tip exposed.
That small detail makes a huge difference when it’s time to set the hook.
Build a Strong Leader Setup
Your leader setup needs to be strong, simple, and reliable.
A typical setup includes:
65 lb mono leader
6/0 barbless hook (required by law)
Strong barrel swivel
Small sliding leader weight (½ ounce)
That small weight helps keep the bait pinned to the bottom, which is exactly where sturgeon feed.
Don’t skimp on quality here—especially with your knots and swivels.
That’s where failures happen.
Why Heavy Weights Are Essential
One of the most common mistakes beginners make is using weights that are too light.
For sturgeon, you’ll want:
8–14 ounce weights
There are two important reasons for this:
1. Keep Your Bait Pinned to the Bottom
Sturgeon rely on scent.
If your bait drifts too much, they’ll pass right by it—even if they’re close.
Heavy weights keep your presentation exactly where it belongs.
2. Help Detect Subtle Bites
Sturgeon bites are very subtle.
Heavy weights help create tension in your line, making it easier to detect movement when a fish takes interest.
How to Detect a Sturgeon Bite
This is where many anglers miss opportunities.
A sturgeon bite is not aggressive like a striper.
Instead, it looks like:
A small dip
Another slight movement
Maybe one more subtle pull
And that’s your moment.
Set the hook immediately.
If you wait too long, the fish will spit the bait and move on.
That’s why watching your rod carefully is critical.
Use a Rod Balancing System (Not a Rod Holder)
Here’s a pro tip that separates successful anglers from beginners:
Don’t leave your rod sitting in a holder.
Instead, use a rod balancing setup.
When your rod is balanced horizontally, even the smallest bite will cause the rod to tip—giving you immediate visual feedback.
That reaction time makes all the difference.
It’s one of the most important techniques in sturgeon fishing.
Choosing the Right Rod
You don’t need expensive gear to get started—but your rod does matter.
Look for:
Strong backbone for fighting large fish
Sensitive tip for detecting light bites
Recommended options include:
Premium: Phoenix 807
Mid-range: Ugly Stik Tiger
Budget-friendly: Okuma Tundra Pro
All of these offer a good balance between strength and sensitivity.
And that’s exactly what you need.
Reel and Line Recommendations
When it comes to reels, size and durability matter.
A good starting point:
Reel Size
6000–8000 size reel
This provides enough drag strength and line capacity for large sturgeon.
Line Type
65 lb high-visibility braid
High-vis line helps you see subtle movement—even before your rod tip reacts.
That visual feedback improves your chances of detecting bites.
Best Time and Conditions to Catch Sturgeon
Sturgeon fishing depends heavily on water movement.
Look for:
Incoming or outgoing tides
Moving water conditions
Morning or evening periods
That said, sturgeon can be caught throughout the day, especially when tides are active.
Consistency matters more than timing.
Final Thoughts
Sturgeon fishing rewards patience and preparation.
If you remember just a few key things, make it these:
Use strong scent-based bait
Keep your bait pinned to the bottom
Watch for subtle bites
Set the hook quickly
Stay patient
Follow these steps, and your chances of landing a sturgeon will increase dramatically.
Hope to see you out on the water.
Tight lines,
Mr. Sweeney
Napa Fishing Club Kickoff Meeting — April 17
Hey friends, Mr. Sweeney here.
I want to personally invite you to something special—our very first Napa Fishing Club
meeting, the kickoff, the inaugural event. And let me tell you… this first meeting only happens once.
📅 Date: Friday, April 17
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Right here at Sweeney Sports
We’re keeping it simple and fun.
We’ll fire up the grill, cook burgers with all the fixings, have drinks ready, and just enjoy some time together talking fishing and getting to know each other.
Here’s what we’ll be covering that night:
Review the Napa Fishing Club schedule
Meet the club advisory board
Talk about exclusive trips just for club members
Share updates on Lake Berryessa and Napa River fishing
Swap stories, tips, and make some new fishing friends
This club is all about community—good fishing, good people, and good times on the water.
If you'd like to attend, head over to:
Looking forward to seeing you there.
— 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! 🎣
Live Bait Update
We’re stocked up on fresh live bait and ready for the current river and lake conditions.
Currently Available:
Live Minnows
Medium
XL
Jumbo
Pile Worms
Ghost Shrimp!!!
Frozen Section
Frozen Roe (Tips and Curing Recipe Here)
Cure Ghost Shrimp (Excellent for Sturgeon and Striper)
Tray and Bag Anchovies
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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