Striper Season Has Arrived!

alexosen
6d
3 min read

Hello friends,

In this edition, we'll be covering:

Wild Thing Lures Collection - Your Thoughts?
Bank Fishing for Stripers
The Story Behind Death Grip Leaders
Fresh Wild Thing Lure Colors
Under Construction Heads Up

Wild Thing Lures Apparel Collection

The first Wild Thing Lure Collection apparel design is about to drop.

Do you Love it? Hate it? Would you buy and wear one? Your honest feedback is appreciated.

How to Catch Stripers from the Bank

It’s officially striper season — time to grab your gear and hit the riverbank! Whether you’re setting up along the Napa River or your favorite local fishing hole, this is the perfect season to relax by the water and chase some powerful stripers.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need for a successful trip:

Bait: Anchovies are a staple, but pile worms and grass shrimp can be deadly, too.
Gear Essentials: Bring a bait knife, gloves, and a solid tackle box.
Weights: Use 3–5 oz sinkers to keep your rig steady in the Napa River’s current.
Leaders: Go with an 18-inch leader and a sharp 5/0 Octopus hook. Combo baits (anchovy + worm or shrimp) often trigger more bites.
Rods: Medium-heavy to heavy power, 7.5 feet or longer, rated for 1–4 oz lures. Ugly Stik offers great budget options around $40, while Phenix rods deliver premium feel and lifetime warranty performance near $200.
Reels: A 5000–8000 spinning reel (or equivalent casting reel) spooled with 40 lb braid gives you strength and distance.
Don’t Forget: A rod holder, measuring tape, and scale — stripers must be 18 inches or longer to keep.
Pro Tip: Always use rod socks to protect your investment from cracks and chips.

When fishing the bank, a swivel + bead + sliding sinker rig is your best friend. Try running both anchovy and worm baits until you find what the fish are favoring that day.

Introducing Mr. Sweeney’s “Death Grip Leaders”

Tired of leaders that snap or corrode right when you’ve hooked a good fish? So were we. After years of tying our own rigs, testing countless variations, and selling thousands in the shop, we built something stronger — and smarter.

Death Grip Leaders are handcrafted in Napa, California, and engineered to withstand brutal fights. Each one features:

A 5/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook
25 lb Ande Monofilament line
A snell knot at the hook and improved clinch knot at the swivel

They’re ultra-reliable, built to last, and cost only $2.99 each — a small price for the confidence of knowing your rig won’t fail you when it counts.

Coming soon to Sweeney’s Sports and CatchHappy.co — the last leader you’ll ever need.

Heads Up, Sweeney’s Friends!

We’re giving our front room a fresh new look this week and next! While we’re remodeling, things might look a little different in the Front Room, as you enter the shop, but don’t worry, we’re open and ready to help with all your fishing and outdoor needs.

Thanks for your patience while we make Sweeney’s even better for you. We can’t wait to show off the finished space soon!

Curious as to what we are working on? Check out the latest Mr. Sweeney Experience video:

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.