How Lead Core Line Trout Trolling Works and Berryessa Meetup on March 14th
- alexosen
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
Hello friends,
In this edition, we'll be covering:
How Lead Core Line Trolling Works
Lake Berryessa Fishing Meetup - March 14th, 6-9pm
Interesting Finds on the Website
Fly Tying Course with David Dempsey
Catch of the Month Contest is On
Live Bait Update
Even Banana Couldn't Ruin it for Mike and Keanna
How Lead Core Line Trout Trolling Works
Trolling for trout without a downrigger can be incredibly effective with the right setup, and lead core line is the key to getting lures down to the perfect depth. Over years of guiding and testing different setups, I’ve found that a Okuma SST-C-862 rod paired with an Okuma Cold Water 354D line counter reel is an ideal combination. The Lead core line consists of a weighted core wrapped in color-coded nylon, allowing anglers to estimate depth based on how many colors they’ve let out. While each 25-foot color section typically sinks about five feet, real-world experience shows that at two miles per hour, each color can reach around six to seven feet.
To ensure a natural presentation, I always add a 10-12 lb monofilament leader of about 20 feet between the lead core and the lure. This prevents fish from being spooked by the thick, colored line while maintaining a strong connection to the bait. The line counter on the reel is a game-changer, eliminating the guesswork of counting colors when things get hectic on the boat. Using sonar, we’ve confirmed that four colors of lead core line get us down about 25 feet, making it easy to target specific depths based on where the fish are holding.
Deploying lead core requires some finesse—gradually let out the line while controlling its descent to avoid tangles. Once the line is at the right depth, keep a steady trolling speed and adjust based on fish activity. Some days, green lures work best, while on others, orange is the hot color. The beauty of this method is its simplicity and adaptability, allowing anglers to effectively cover a range of depths without additional gear, like expensive downrigger setups. Mastering lead core trolling can significantly boost your trout-catching success, giving you the advantage over finicky fish in the top 25 feet of the water column.
Our Next Lake Berryessa Fishing Meetup is on March 14th
Interesting Finds on the Website
I am sure you've heard about the Live Imaging technology many Bass Tournament anglers are using. The only downside is that it's costly. Enter, Lowrance Eagle 9.
This seems like a bargain compared to shelling out over $2,300 for the Active Target 2 system.
However, there are a few catches. We found this excellent video to help you decide:
Why shop on https://www.shopsweeneys.com/? Besides supporting your local shop,
Competitive Pricing and Vast Inventory
Ships Fast from our Wharehouse in Sacramento
Buy Online, Return to the Store
Free Shipping for Orders Over $50 (some restrictions apply)
Sweeney’s Beginner Fly Tying Course
Learn the Art of Fly Tying from a Local Legend! Creating your own flies isn’t just rewarding—it’s the key to catching more fish! In this 8-week beginner fly tying course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of tying your own patterns, with a focus on entomology, materials, and technique.
About the event
Sweeney’s Beginner Fly Tying Course
Instructor: David Dempsey
Dates: Weekly, March 19 – May 7, 2025
Time: Wednesdays, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Sweeney’s Sports, Napa, CA
Price: $225 per student
Class Size: Limited to 10 students (minimum of 6 required)
Catch of the Month Contest
For February, share 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! 🏅.
📸 Cast your entry by sharing your photo and get ready to be a part of our winner's circle on February 28th.
🗓️ Let's make waves together! 🌊
Live Bait Update
Live Pile Worms
Fresh Frozen Ghost Shrimp
Large Minnows (effective for trout/striper/catfish)
Medium Minnows
Have More Fun Fishing!
Finally, we would like to thank the A-Z Foundation for sponsoring Mike Stagner and his Daughter Keanna to fish Lake Berryessa with Alex yesterday. What a fun day it was. Even a banana on the boat couldn't ruin it (Alex brought the banana by accident).
Mike and Keanna's message to the fishing community: Don't forget to have fun!
We danced all day for our fish:
And the spirits were mostly kind to us:
P.S. We’re excited to announce the launch of ShopSweeneys.com! Now you can explore our top gear, tackle, and more—handpicked for your next fishing adventure—all online. Whether you’re gearing up for the Napa River or beyond, we’ve got everything you need to make each trip a success. Check it out!
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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