What’s Coming to Sweeney’s: New Fishing Gear, Club Updates & Catch of the Month
Today we are covering:
What’s Coming to Sweeney’s: New Fishing Gear We Found at the Trade Show
Napa Fishing Club Meeting - Save the date: September 18
Catch Of The Month Contest - August Winner!
Live Bait Update
What’s Coming to Sweeney’s: New Fishing Gear We Found at the Trade Show
A couple of times a year, we head to major fishing industry trade shows to meet manufacturers, see what’s new, and decide what deserves a spot at Sweeney’s Sports. This trip gave us plenty to think about - from new Daiwa and Okuma reels to bass baits and even a fishing rod with its own integrated power system.
Here are some of the products that caught our attention and could be making their way to the shop.
New Reels from Daiwa and Okuma
At Daiwa, we got an early look at several new reels, including the updated BG Saltwater and the lighter BG LT. The BG LT especially stood out as an option for light surf and striper fishing, while smaller reels like the Airity and new Tatula Elite configurations offer lightweight options for trout, finesse fishing, and other freshwater applications.
We also stopped by Okuma to see what could fit into our lineup. The new Cold Water Stainless Steel caught our attention, along with several low-profile baitcasters including the Eminence, Sapphire, and Helios. The Eminence offers an interesting combination of price and features, while the Helios adds a drag clicker similar to what anglers are used to hearing on spinning reels.
Bass Mafia and Googan Baits are Coming to Sweeney’s
Finding new brands is another big reason we attend these shows, and Bass Mafia and Googan Baits were high on the list this time.
We checked out several baits, including the Glizzy Glide, the weedless Vermin topwater rat, a new 4.8-inch Bandito Bug, the Guzzle Gill, and the upcoming Schooler. After seeing the lineup in person, these are products we’re interested in bringing to Sweeney’s and putting in front of our local bass anglers.
The “iPhone of Fishing Rods”
One of the most unusual products we found was the Dominion E-Rod. Calling it the “iPhone of fishing rods” might sound like a stretch - until you see what’s built into it.
The rod incorporates a sealed battery and computer system designed to power and protect electric reels. The Versit XP model we saw is built for applications such as deep-water jigging and deep drops, and the system monitors battery status, temperature, power spikes, charging, and discharge. According to the manufacturer, it charges in about 90 minutes and should provide at least a day of runtime for the average angler using the setup demonstrated at the show.
This one was interesting enough that we’re looking at bringing one back to Sweeney’s to try ourselves—and, of course, taking it fishing to see how it actually performs.
Bringing the Best Finds Back to the Shop
Trade shows give us a chance to do more than simply order from a catalog. We can handle the gear, ask manufacturers questions, compare products, and decide what actually makes sense for the anglers who shop with us.
Some of these products are new versions of familiar favorites. Others are completely different from anything we currently carry. Either way, we’ll keep looking for gear worth bringing home - and sharing what we discover along the way.
Napa Fishing Club Meeting — Save the date: September 18
Mark your calendar! Our next Napa Fishing Club meeting is coming up on Friday, September 18, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Sweeney’s Sports.
Join us for another evening of fishing updates, conversation, and connecting with the local fishing community. Whether you want to talk about what’s biting, share your latest fishing stories, or simply spend time with fellow anglers, we’d love to see you there.
📅 Friday, September 18
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Sweeney’s Sports
More details coming soon, save the date!
Catch Of The Month Contest - August Winner!
Congratulations to Josh Saetern (@jaysaewut), our August Catch of the Month winner! 🏆
Thanks to everyone who submitted a catch and voted. Josh, stop by Sweeney’s Sports to pick up your $30 gift card!
Want to be our next Catch of the Month winner? Entering is easy:
Share a photo of your catch on Instagram.
Tag @sweeneys_sports in your post or story.
At the end of the month, finalists will be featured in our Instagram Stories for the community to vote.
The winner receives a $30 Sweeney’s Sports gift card and a feature on our social media.
Keep fishing, keep sharing, and send us your best catch for a chance to win next month!
Live Bait Update
Available this week:
Pile worms
Medium Minnows
Large 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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I enjoyed reading about the new fishing gear and how Sweeney’s focuses on finding products that genuinely benefit local anglers. The community aspect is great too, much like how a terrifier clown costume brings horror fans together around a shared interest.