Hello friends,
In this edition, we'll be covering:
What's new in the shop?
Slow Down Time: Fishing Lake Berryessa in the Fall/Winter
Napa River fishing report
Fly fishing presentation by Don Muelrath - October 30th, 7:30pm
Fly Fishing News
Gun Shop News
Hey, Sweeney’s community!
Thank you to those who attended our Grand-Reopening festival last Saturday. Any feedback on how we can improve our events would be greatly appreciated. Just reply to this email.
Congrats to our Main Raffle winners. Here is the link to the live prize drawing video.
What's new in the shop?
Simm's Clothing
Beat the winter chill with our latest Simm's jackets and hoodies. These comfortable and durable garments feature waffle-lined micro-fleece for added warmth, quick-dry performance, and chafe-free comfort. With two cargo top-load pockets, you can easily store your essentials and stay on the water longer.
Bill Lewis Lures
We're excited to announce the restocking of Rat-L-Traps, including the highly sought-after magnum sizes. Choose from a variety of colors and sizes, including the new Hammer-Trap, a lipless crankbait designed for aggressive action and maximum vibration.
Mojo-Dove Decoys
Get ready for the upcoming fall/winter dove season with the Mojo Elite Series Dove decoy. Featuring an ultra-realistic paint scheme and magnetically attached wings for enhanced realism and durability, this decoy is a must-have for any serious dove hunter.
Stay Warm and Comfortable with Waterfowl Wading Systems
Keep your hands warm and dry with the WWS Fleece-Lined Hand Warmers. These belt-style pouches feature a shell carrier and gear pouch for convenient storage.
Promar Gaffs: The Ultimate Landing Tool
Introducing the Promar Premier Series Gaffs, designed for durability, performance, and ease of use. With a lightweight aluminum construction, corrosion-resistant hook, and comfortable grip, these gaffs are perfect for landing any trophy catch.
This week in Fishing
By Alex Osenenko, Founder, Catch Happy Inc
Slow Down Time: Fishing Lake Berryessa in the Fall/Winter
Yesterday, we experienced the kind of fishing trip that reminds you why Lake Berryessa is a treasure, especially in the quieter months. For the first time since spring, we had the lake almost entirely to ourselves. Sure, it was a midweek outing, but even weekdays had been busy over the past six months with guide boats and privateers jostling for space. Just three weeks ago, Shane and I fished on a Friday, weaving between boats and constantly adjusting our trolling path. Yesterday, though, was something else—calm, quiet, and distinctly peaceful.
Of course, there’s a reason for this change. The red-hot trout bite has settled into the usual Fall/Winter rhythm. But personally, I love this time of year. The adventure now feels wilder, more intimate. Yesterday was the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement, fully immersed in the lake’s majestic ambiance. With fewer boats on the water, there’s more room to experiment with different gear and techniques. The fish are still there, but there’s less pressure to hit limits quickly. Now, it's more about the journey, the thrill of testing new setups, and the calm that comes with fewer distractions.
Make no mistake, though—landing fish is still the goal. If you don't dial in your setups, or take the time to adjust your speed and lure colors, you'll be left with just a peaceful boat ride. But that's part of the fun—the challenge, the anticipation.
I like to prepare ahead of time, laying out a plan and organizing my gear a few days before the trip. This time, we launched from Capell Cove (still a free launch, by the way) and started trolling the west shore, focusing on Big and Small Islands. By noon, we shifted tactics, targeting coves for trophy-sized catfish, while also enjoying plenty of action from bass and smaller cats.
The morning troll started slow at 7:30 a.m., but things heated up around 10. We used T-Bone tackle and Speedy Shiner spoons, trolling between 1.8 and 2.5 mph at depths of 20 to 60 feet.
Here’s how our setup looked:
2 Downriggers running 40-60 feet deep
2 Lead core line setups at 20-30 feet
2 Planer boards running deep-diving Rapalas 6-10 feet deep
Lures That Worked
We tested a variety of colors, but once we hit on the greens, the bite turned on. Most of our hookups happened around 45 feet on the downrigger and 25 feet on the lead core line, with 2 mph being the magic speed.
Thomas Speedy Shiner - Red Dot Frog
Thomas Speedy Shiner - Watermelon
Thomas Speedy Shiner - Nickel Chartreuse
You can stock up on Speedy Shiners in the shop or online, however, T-Bone tackle lures are only available at the shop.
Gear We Used
Downrigger Setups
For downrigging, we used Daiwa North Coast fast action MH 7'6" rods, paired with Abu Garcia Max low-profile reels featuring digital counters to track our backsets. We staggered our downrigger lines from 40-80 feet back.
Lead Core Setups
For lead core trolling, we used Okuma SST “A” 8’6” medium-heavy rods, paired with Okuma Cold Water low profile counter reels. Some prefer not to use counters with lead core since the line is color-metered, but I find it easier to keep track with the counter—especially when multiple rods are hitting.
Our lead core setups were spooled with Sufix 832 advanced lead core line, with each color diving 5-7 feet at 2 mph. Lead core is a great alternative when you don’t have four downriggers. Just take your time when feeding the line out, using your thumb to control the spool and prevent tangling.
Pro Tip. When bringing fish to the boat, be careful—lead core can be harsh on small trout, so use your drag properly to avoid tearing the fish's soft lips.
Planer Board Setups
We’ve recently integrated planer boards into our trolling game, and they’ve become essential. We used ClearBoards yesterday, spreading our lines 20-30 feet to each side of the boat. This method helps scatter fish as the boat passes through the water, positioning your lures where the fish are most likely to strike.
For more details on planer board setups, check out our last Berryessa video: Watch here.
Cove Fishing
Around 11:30 a.m., we wrapped up trolling and moved to the coves. Using our sonar, we anchored at promising spots, thanks to our Minnkota Ulterra, and fished with XL live minnows from Sweeney's and garlic-marinated liver. The action was fantastic, with large bass and catfish hitting hard.
Cove fishing offers a more relaxed pace, perfect for snacking and deep conversations with your fishing buddies, interrupted only by the thrill of a big catch.
My highlight was a trophy-sized, 25-pound catfish (released, of course) caught on an Okuma SST trout rod, with a tiny 2500-sized reel spooled with 8-pound test line. It took me over 45 minutes to land this trophy-sized giant.
The fight lasted 30 minutes and felt like an epic battle that could have gone either way. The fish, initially hooked on the XL live minnow from the shop, shook the hook but got fin-hooked in the process. Working to get that fish finally come aboard was a moment of pure adrenaline.
The Adventure Awaits
Every fishing trip is an adventure waiting to unfold. Whether you're trolling the shores or exploring hidden coves, fall and winter at Lake Berryessa offer a chance to slow down time and create your own unforgettable stories.
Watch the full adventure video:
Napa River
The Napa River offers exciting striped bass and sturgeon fishing opportunities this fall. Here are the highlights:
Striped Bass: Tides play a significant role in striper activity. During the incoming tide, stripers often stage in the main channel, near slough mouths, while on the outgoing tide, they move deeper into the sloughs and tidal pools. Effective baits include anchovies, rattle traps, swim baits, and of course, the world-famous Wild Thing trolling lures. For boaters, trolling is recommended, while bank anglers should focus on using live bait like grass shrimp or minnows.
Trolling the Wild Thing deep diver lure in under 10ft of water is the ticket. When it dives deep and hits the bottom at 4.5 miles per hour, stripers can't resist the action.
Sturgeon: Anglers targeting sturgeon should be aware of the latest Sturgeon Fishing regulations. The White Sturgeon season is open as of October 1st, for catch and release only. Ghost shrimp, roe, and eel are the top bait choices. Patience is key, especially when fishing deeper waters during outgoing tides.
Remember to stay updated on tide charts and bring the right gear for the conditions. Whether you're fishing from a boat or the shore, the Napa River offers plenty of action this time of year.
Reminder - Dungeness Crab Season Set to Open Nov. 2!
The 2024-2025 recreational Dungeness crab season is scheduled to open Saturday, Nov. 2. For those using crab traps, make sure to have a recreational crab trap validation – this is not required when taking crabs via hoop nets or crab trap loops.
The limit is 10 crabs that meet the minimum size of five and three-quarter inches. To stay up to date on announcements regarding trap restrictions or other announcements regarding whale entanglement risk, please visit our Whale Safe Fisheries web page and consider subscribing to receive updates from CDFW about Whale Safe Fisheries efforts.
We are fully stocked for now with all the crab gear you'll need this season. Don't wait, we start selling out quickly as the season opener approaches. Re-stocking the crab inventory isn't a perfect game as distributors may have delays and low stock positions. Take an inventory of your own gear and stop by the shop to get what you need for a jolly crab fishing season this year.
Join Us for an Exclusive Fly Fishing Presentation at Sweeney’s Sports!
Join Us for an Exclusive Fly Fishing Presentation at Sweeney’s Sports!
Calling all fly fishing enthusiasts! On October 30th at 7:30 PM, Sweeney’s Sports is thrilled to host Don Muelrath of Fly Fishing Adventures for a special slide presentation: Stalking the World’s Great Gamefish with a Fly Rod.
Don has spent over two decades fly fishing in 23 different countries while exploring the world’s top fly fishing destinations, from hunting tarpon, permit, and bonefish in the pristine flats of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere in Mexico and Belize to casting for trophy trout in the legendary waters of New Zealand and Patagonia. His experience and knowledge are unmatched, and he’s excited to share his award-winning photos, trip reports, and jaw-dropping stories from his many adventures.
Whether you’re new to fly fishing or a seasoned angler looking for your next great trip, this presentation will inspire your next adventure. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a true expert and explore the world of fly fishing like never before!
Mark your calendars and join us at Sweeney’s Sports for a night of adventure, knowledge, and some truly incredible stories.
Key highlights include:
Firsthand insights from legendary fly fishing destinations like New Zealand, Belize, Mexico’s Sian Ka’an Biosphere, and Patagonia.
Stunning photos and stories of anglers landing bonefish, tarpon, permit, and more.
He can answer questions on the best times and places to plan your next fly fishing adventure!
Fly Fishing Report
By Pete Rodrigues
Putah Creek Fishing Report
10-24-24 Flows have increased this week…currently at 425 cfs. Catch Happy Guide partner Robbie George reports that Putah Creek is fishing good. Recent outings with first-time fly fishers resulted in numerous hook-ups with 12-14 inch fish. :-)
**Recommended Flies:**
- **Blue-Winged Olives (BWO):**
- Hogan’s S&Ms
- FB Pheasant Tails
- Quilldigon
- May It Be
- Micro May
- Juju Baetis
- Sizes: #18-20
- **Midges:**
- WD-40
- Zebra Midge
- Jujubee Midge
- Sizes: #20-22 in various colors
- **Others:**
- Bird’s Nest (Sizes: #16-18)
- San Juan Worms
- Squirmy Worms
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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