Shop News
We hope you are having a great week.
We are attending the Ducks Unlimited Dinner and fundraiser on Friday, and the BBQ fundraiser for the Napa Rifle and Pistol Club on Saturday. If you'd like to join us in supporting Ducks Unlimited and have a great time, please get tickets here.
Let's start with CDFW commission proposing the emergency closure of the White Sturgeon harvest in 2024.
I am sure many of you heard that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is currently evaluating White Sturgeon fishing regulations as the total harvest ban is being proposed. The meeting was conducted yesterday and it seems like CDFW will allow a limited harvest instead of a complete ban.
The negotiated agreement seems to be that starting 2024 anglers will be able to keep one fish per year, between 48-60 inches. Okay to catch and release after that. 2 fish per boat day limit. There are some other location-based restrictions that will be written up in the final ruling.
We'll publish the official 2024 White Sturgeon fishing rules once they come out. In the meantime, the current regulations remain.
Over the last few days, we received and merchandized large orders of Spro, VMC, Rat-l-Trap, and various other tackle brands to give you lots more options. Stripers are on the bite, come see us and get the gear you need to land yours this weekend.
On the hunting side, we are now stocking a good selection of His and Hers waders and have more models on the way. Expecting the rest next week. We have most sizes in stock. Come in and get fitted for a new pair $159-$249.
Fishing has been red hot. Big Nate with Big Nate Guide service keeps hitting Berryessa Trout limits in an hour or less. Daily. The Napa River Striper is fishing really well too. We'll be out on the River this week for a thorough report.
Just in time for the hot fishing season, we got screaming deals on solid Striper and Trout combos.
Watch the video below:
These are quality combos at great prices and selling fast. Limited stock at these prices. Come in and get yours today.
Live Bait Update
While supplies last. Stock up early if you are fishing this weekend. If you need to brush up on best practices to keep your bait alive for 36 hours or more, watch this video.
- Live Grass Shrimp
- Live Bullheads
- Live Mudsuckers
- Medium, Large, and XL Minnows
- Live Pile Worms
Gun Shop Update
Glock 17s and 19s are back in stock. We also have a Springfield Armory TRP and SIG 1911s in stock.
Hunting ammo in stock today:
Winchester 12ga 3” 1-1/8oz #3
Winchester 12ga 3” 1-1/8oz #2
We also have your Federal Duck Stamps here at the shop (while supplies last).
October Best Catch Contest
Show off your catches as we are renewing the contest for October. Tag your Instagram catch pictures @sweeneys_sports for a chance to win bragging rights and a $30 Sweeney's gift card.
Catch Happy On Youtube
Ready to reel in a good time? Dive into the world of fishing, adventures, and education with Catch Happy.
Subscribe now and let's make a splash in angler's paradise!
Fishing Reports
Lake Berryessa
Lake Berryessa continues to be on fire.
The one key ingredient to your success on Lake Berryessa is to be on the water at first light. The bite is really good until around 8am-9am, and then it slows down considerably as the fish gorge themselves on large bait balls. You can still find the trout, but you'll have to cover a lot of water.
In terms of where to fish, look for the bait balls in the deepest parts of the lake and start fishing there. These bait balls are full of plankton and threadfin shad. They will show up on your sonar as a fat line with a fairly dense composition about 35-40 ft deep and around 3-5ft thick.
Watch the video for detailed instructions. The trout swims in and out of these bait balls to feed. Troll fairly fast through them using speedy shiners and watch your rods bend.
We now stock a complete line of Speedy Shiners and Optimizer lures that work so well on Berryessa trout.
Napa River
We are getting a lot of reports of keeper-sized Stripers being caught in numbers. The fish are everywhere in the river and it's just a matter of offering them what they are hungry for.
Multi-color Rat-L-Traps and P-Line Predators (custom-made at Sweeney's Sports into a Wild Thing lures) work the best. Trolling speeds around 3.5-3.8 GPS MPH worked the best.
Keep changing lures until you get bit. Turn around and troll the same spot again. Seemingly, the fish are dialed in on something different every day. The weather, tides, water color, bait fish behavior, wind, pressure, lunar cycle, and a dozen other factors shift constantly. That's why we never get tired of fishing the river. It's an ever-evolving puzzle with an abundance of options and action.
Bank fishermen are doing well with live grass shrimp, pile worms, and frozen anchovies. Use the Magic Thread to keep your bait on the hook.
Go get them.
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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