How to Catch Sturgeon in the Napa River
- alexosen
- Apr 10
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Hello friends,
In this edition, we'll be covering:
Fishing for Sturgeon - Deep Dive
Spring Festival News (May 3rd)
Napa River Fishing Report
Live Bait Update
Sturgeon Fishing is a Craft
Firstly, we wanted to thank Austin Bator and Jeffrey Swank for agreeing to accompany Alex on the recent sturgeon fishing trip and share their knowledge with all of us.
Austin and Jeffrey are the true craftsman of sturgeon fishing.
If you’ve ever tried sturgeon fishing, you know it’s not just about dropping a line and waiting. It’s a full-on tactical game—tracking movement, prepping the perfect bait, reacting to subtle bites. In this post, we’re breaking down a recent sturgeon outing that highlighted some of the key techniques and takeaways for anyone looking to level up their approach.
Finding the Fish: It All Starts with a Pattern
Before you even think about bait, you’ve got to know where the fish are. This trip started at Brazos Bridge, zigzagging across the river to scan for sturgeon signatures.
Using sonar, we traced out migration paths—the natural “lanes” sturgeon follow during their feeding cycles. Once we saw a solid pattern, it was time to drop anchor right in their path.
👉 Pro Tip: Don’t just stop when you see one or two. Zoom out and look at the bigger picture—are they moving in a straight line? Are there clusters? That’s your green light.
The Bite: Quick Reflexes Make the Difference
When a sturgeon takes the bait, it’s not always dramatic. Sometimes it’s just a light flutter on the rod tip. In one moment that day, the line went slack for a second—then bam, tight again.
Angler’s move? Crank the reel before removing the rod from the holder. That motion helps drive the hook in deeper, giving you a better shot at keeping the fish on.
There’s also the beam balancer method—super light tension so the fish doesn’t feel resistance. As the rod dips slightly, you lift and strike. Both methods can work, but knowing when and how to use them is key.
Bait Talk: Roe, Shrimp, Worms—Keep It Simple
Let’s talk bait—because it can make or break your day.
Roe (Fish Eggs)
The go-to for many sturgeon chasers. But here’s the trick: don’t overdo it. Adding too many scents, oils, or preservatives can ruin the egg structure. The best roe? Firm, slightly tacky, and properly cured.
Cure for 3–5 days
Keep it in a cool, dark place (NOT the fridge)
Avoid sunlight—it breaks down the oils and texture
Basic roe curing ingredients are salt and sure. Experiment to come up with your own recipe form there.
Grass & Ghost Shrimp
Live grass and ghost shrimp are deadly for sturgeon and stripers alike. They work well solo and can be especially effective when roe isn’t doing the trick.
Pile Worms
If you’re in a worm-rich area, these are easy to source and super effective. They swim well, don’t need much prep, and can be pared with another bait of fished alone.
How Often Should You Change Your Bait?
Every 30 to 45 minutes is a good rule of thumb. But you don’t always need a full bait swap. If your roe is still holding scent and structure, just add a few fresh eggs to the bait sack and send it back down.
The goal? Keep that scent trail consistent—it’s what brings sturgeon into the zone.
The Big One That Got Away (And What We Learned)
We had some solid bites throughout the day—including one absolute unit of a fish that jumped clean out of the water before shaking the hook. (Still hurts a little.)
Sometimes you can do everything right—tight line, sharp hook, good reaction—and the fish still wins. That’s the game.
Still, a couple of nice sturgeon made it to the boat for quick photos and safe release. Even without landing the monster, the experience was packed with insight.
Final Thoughts: It’s a Craft, Not Just a Catch
Sturgeon fishing rewards those who pay attention. The best days aren’t just about the most fish—they’re about understanding the water, tweaking your setup, reading the signs, and learning from every hit and miss.
Whether you're new to it or a regular on the river, keep experimenting, stay patient, and enjoy the chase.
Want more tips like this or stories from the water? Let me know and I’ll share more from the field! 🎣
Spring Festival at Sweeney's Sports
🌟 Hosted on May 3rd, 10am-5pm, it’s a Celebration of All Things Local & Outdoors.
This isn’t just a sale — it’s a full-on celebration of fishing, community, and spring in Napa. Bring your family, bring your fishing buddies, and get ready for a day packed with action, learning, and fun.
🎣 Festival News - New Classes Added
Are you as excited as we are to learn from both Austin and Jeffrey on how to fish Napa River for sturgeon and striper? The boys will be teaching the following classes during the Spring Festival:
Striper Fishing on Napa River 11am-12pm - Jeffrey Swank
Sturgeon Fishing on Napa River 12pm-1pm - Austin Bator
Ticket holders will be able to attend for free.
Need more reasons to join us on Saturday, May 3rd?
🛍️ Shop Exclusive Deals You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
We're bringing out storewide discounts, rare super specials, and event-only gear bundles to help you stock up for the season. From freshwater finesse to saltwater strength — we’ve got you covered.
🎟️ Win Big in Our Raffle (Just RSVP!)
Score a chance to take home high-end fishing gear, branded swag, and more. Entry is free — just make sure you RSVP to get your name in the hat!
🎣 Learn, Explore, and Level Up Your Skills
Enjoy free classes and live demos throughout the day. Our experts and brand partners will be sharing hands-on tips, rigging tricks, casting techniques, and local knowledge to help you fish smarter.
🍻 Hang Out, Eat Up, and Soak in the Vibes
We’ll have delicious food, cold drinks, and good music flowing all day. Come meet fellow anglers, talk shop, and enjoy the laid-back, family-friendly vibe Napa’s fishing community is known for.
🤝 Meet the People Behind Your Favorite Brands
Get face-to-face with reps from top outdoor and fishing companies. Ask questions, check out the latest gear, and maybe even test a few things out. It's your chance to connect directly with the folks who make the gear you trust.
Napa River Fishing Report March-April 2025
Current Conditions
Water Temperature: 60–62°F, ideal for Striped Bass and Sturgeon activity.
Debris Alert: Recent storms have washed debris into the river, making trolling more difficult. Anglers are losing lures, so caution is advised when fishing near the bottom.
Striped Bass Fishing:
Bank Fishing:
The bite is strong, especially using natural baits like anchovies, pile worms, blood worms, ghost shrimp (live or cured), and live grass shrimp.
Anglers using split tail or bullheads as live bait are also seeing success. But you have to catch your own live bait first.
Using Large Live Minnows can also be effective.
Need help picking your next bank fishing spot? Jump to our blog post here.
Learn how to bank fish for stripers Here.
Boat Fishing:
Trolling is working well with deep-diving lures.
Speed: 3.8-4.5 MPH water speed. Add 1.5 MPH if moving with the tide, subtract if moving against the tide.
Troll Wild Thing deep divers set 100-140 feet behind the boat, and the Spro “Golden Boy” or similar with 100+ feet back set.
Striped Bass are holding near the banks, using structure and brush for ambush points. Deep divers create noise and movement, increasing the chance of strikes.
Learn how to troll for stripers Here.
Sturgeon Fishing:
High Activity: Multiple Sturgeon were seen caught over the weekend.
Best Baits: Roe, pile worms, blood worms, and ghost shrimp.
Catch & Release: The Napa River remains a catch-and-release fishery for Sturgeon, but the fight is worth it. These powerful fish provide an exciting challenge for anglers.
Final Thoughts
Fishing conditions are improving as the water warms up. We expect similar conditions to hold through the end of April. Despite debris making lure fishing tricky, Striped Bass are biting well, and Sturgeon activity is high. Whether from the bank or a boat, now is a great time to get out and fish!
Live Bait Update
Live Pile Worms
Live Blood Worms
Large Minnows (effective for trout/striper/catfish)
Medium Minnows
P.S. We’re excited to announce the launch of ShopSweeneys.com!
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