Why Grass Shrimp Are So Expensive? Tackle Shop Live Bate Operations

If you’ve ever bought grass shrimp for fishing, you know they’re one of the best baits around—irresistible to striped bass, sturgeon, and even catfish at Lake Berryessa. But what you might not know is just how much work goes into getting those shrimp from the water to your hook.

At Sweeney’s Sports in Napa, we take pride in running a full live bait operation, and grass shrimp are by far the most challenging bait we deal with. Here’s a look behind the curtain.

The Pickup

Our grass shrimp come from Petaluma. Each trip involves gas, time, and careful handling. They’re placed in aerated coolers, with water pulled straight from the river to help match the salinity we’ll use back at the shop.

Salinity & Temperature Control

Grass shrimp are incredibly sensitive. If the water is too warm, too cold, or the salinity is off even slightly, they won’t survive. We use a salinity reader (about a $30 tool) to dial things in, and carefully manage the temperature so the transfer from cooler to tank is as stress-free as possible.

Daily Culling

Every morning, our team spends 20–30 minutes culling dead shrimp from the tanks. When a shrimp dies, it releases chemicals that can quickly wipe out the rest of the tank. Staying on top of this process is critical to keeping them alive and healthy for our customers.

Why the Price?

Between labor, saltwater, equipment, gas, and time, the costs add up. That’s why grass shrimp prices may seem high—but when you see the work involved, it makes sense. And once you fish with them, you’ll understand why anglers say they’re worth every penny.

The Payoff

From striper anglers on the Napa River, to sturgeon hunters, to catfish fans at Lake Berryessa, grass shrimp deliver results. As one customer told us, “I slayed catfish at Berryessa with grass shrimp.”

At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to provide you with the best live bait possible, ready to go when you are.

So the next time you grab a bag of grass shrimp at Sweeney’s, you’ll know the story behind them—and the effort that went into making sure they’re alive and kicking.

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P.S. We’re excited to announce the launch of ShopSweeneys.com!

Why shop on https://www.shopsweeneys.com/? Besides supporting your local shop,

1. Competitive Pricing and Vast Inventory

2. Ships Fast from our Warehouse in Sacramento

3. Buy Online, Return to the Store

4. Free Shipping for Orders Over $50 (some restrictions apply)

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.